Need Xbox 360 Chatpad driver

"also we can recive one key press but after it is dead.... "

As you know, the 360 chatpad isn't on all the time.  The Xbox OS activates it when it needs input.  I wonder if the Xbox OS sends the packet you have found that allows for one following key as a "keep it alive packet."  Flow chart example:

OS needs input --->  OS sends "keep alive packet" --->  Keypad lights up --->  Press key on pad ---> OS receives input ---> Notes that it is still in input mode --->  Sends "Keep alive packet" --->  chatpad stays on can send another key.

Once you close the input diag on the 360 the chatpad wont receive a packet from the xbox os and is then off and non responsive.

This is just a theory, and I am making assumptions, but its worth considering.

Hi Madrang,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Windows Vista Community site. The issue you posted is related to Xbox Accessories  and would be better suited in the http://forums.xbox.com/ community. Please visit the link below to find a community that will offer the support you request.

http://support.xbox.com/support/en/us/nxe/default.aspx

JohnD

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

so wait, what is that supposed to mean? i like many of the other people that bought the chat pad add on would like a actual driver to use the device within windows; from the above post there seems to be some effort to make this work as it was supposed to, yet to this day microsoft still hasn't released the necessary driver.

is nothing going to come from this? i dont see the logic in releasing a device that says on the box "works with windows" when clearly it doesn't.

Sincerely,

Matt

Etchells

Sup Mattetch,

I have the chatpad also and I don't recall it ever saying that the chatpad itself would work with Windows.  You must remember that the chatpad is a 360 add-on device.  Now don't you think that it's a little redundant to develope a driver for a mini keyboard plugged into a controller that's connected to a computer that is already suppose to have a fullsize keyboard?  I can see an advantage in having a driver that would allow you to map the extra buttons that the keypad gives you.  It would also be up to the developers of games to decide if they would want the chatpad's keys to be used in their game.  This is a device with a lot of potential for Windows PC based gaming, but that's about it until developers decide to use it. Also what do you expect from a device that doesn't come with any software media in the box.  Just be happy that it works very well with the Xbox 360 as it was designed to do.

I hold to a simple philosophy: just assume everyone's a piece of ____ and then be pleasantly surprised if you find anyone who ain't.

@JohnD

  You're right about the discussion being about an Xbox 360 accessory, but the discussion is also about making said accessory work within Windows making it still relevant within this forum. If we had had this exact same discussion in the forum you suggested they would have told us to come here.

@Mattetch

  It seems Microsoft seems to refuse to acknowledge that the first chatpads released had packaging that said Works with Windows Live Messenger. Instead of saying something along the lines of, chat with friends on Windows Live Messenger via the Xbox 360 Live Messenger interface. They later changed the packaging to correct this oversight. Also if you can get window to recognize the device, you can use third party software to emulate key functions for just about any game out there. This software works by intercepting the keystroke on the game pad or chat pad in this case and telling the game that it came from the key board.

lastly there is a video on youtube of a programmer using the XNA studio to send information from his chatpad to the 360, and then from the 360 to his PC. Crude, but effective. There is however a notable delay which would be an issue with gamers. For those who don't know the XNA studio is a programming environment for the 360 on windows that allows you to program and run games designed for the xbox on your pc. It has an annual subscription fee. But its the same platform used to make the "Community Games" that you see in the marketplace.

I've concluded that it's not that Microsoft Can't make the chatpad work within Windows, but rather Microsoft doesn't want to make it work, and is refusing to tell us why.