HOW-TO: Connect Sixaxis to Ubuntu trough bluetooth mode

[aatu_kanifani]

@e2b:

Hmm, it doesn't even state its manufacturer. But it seems it would be for PC usage also. I wonder if they have their own driver and software for Windows, then... Or maybe it's a generic controller, and thus doesn't work with same input/output calls as genuine Sixaxis or DS3. I think PS3 recognizes most of the generic PC pads, but Windows for one won't play well with Sixaxis without additional software.

Thus it may be it won't be compatible with QtSixA out-of-the-box. But if it's generic, it could work without it.

But all in all, the whole site seems a little shady. Have you already ordered and received the pad? Or do you have prior experience with them?
For example, the 7" netbook they have for sale for 98$ shows a picture of a netbook with what would appear to be Windows XP with classic interface, but in reality is WinCE 5.0 and with VERY low system specifications. Be careful...

[falkTX]

@e2b:

I have a similar joystick and it works.
It has a special usb device (uses some weird radio waves to connect to the joystick). Once you insert the usb thing, it will register a new joystick, just like with any other one. Then you turn on the joystick (a switch in the back) and it connects.
I need sixad-raw to make it work properly though (only 13 buttons are available when it should have 16, so sixad-raw fixes it).

Also consider what aatu_kanifani said.

But, from my experience, there's no joystick better than the original Sixaxis|DualShock3. It's not cheap, but it works fine (even after falling to the floor several times... )

[e2b]

Well, it's already here. I know it's not a store you buy good hardware but it was cheap and sometimes I do some risky purchases and use the PayPal protection later ... I'm going to do in this case, no Bluetooth like described.

I already recognized it's some proprietary thing: Neither using Bluetooth (some special USB dongle used) nor cable connection (only to recharge). The USB dongle acts like a wired connected Dualshock that does wireless on its own. Although the dongle will detect the wireless gamepad if it's switched on. The problem is the gamepad continues blinking and jstest shows no update (it should, shouldn't it?). Interestingly there are to blink modes.

dmesg
[ 1603.464057] usb 4-2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 2
[ 1603.691258] usb 4-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[ 1613.737298] /build/buildd/linux-2.6.31/drivers/hid/usbhid/hid-core.c: usb_submit_urb(ctrl) failed
[ 1613.737329] sony 0003:054C:0268.0002: timeout initializing reports
[ 1613.737516] input: Gasia Co.,Ltd PS(R) Gamepad as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-2/4-2:1.0/input/input11
[ 1613.737809] sony 0003:054C:0268.0002: input,hiddev96,hidraw1: USB HID v1.11 Joystick [Gasia Co.,Ltd PS(R) Gamepad] on usb-0000:00:1d.2-2/input0

jstest /dev/input/js0 
Driver version is 2.1.0.
Joystick (Gasia Co.,Ltd PS(R) Gamepad) has 28 axes (X, Y, Z, Rz, (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null), (null))
and 19 buttons (Trigger, ThumbBtn, ThumbBtn2, TopBtn, TopBtn2, PinkieBtn, BaseBtn, BaseBtn2, BaseBtn3, BaseBtn4, BaseBtn5, BaseBtn6, BtnDead, BtnA, BtnB, BtnC, BtnX, BtnY, BtnZ).
Testing ... (interrupt to exit)
Axes:  0:     0  1:     0  2:     0  3:     0  4:     0  5:     0  6:     0  7:     0  8:     0  9:     0 10:     0 11:     0 12:     0 13:     0 14:     0 15:     0 16:     0 17:     0 18:     0 19:     0 20:     0 21:     0 22:     0 23:     0 24:     0 25:     0 26:     0 27:     0 Buttons:  0:off  1:off  2:off  3:off  4:off  5:off  6:off  7:off  8:off  9:off 10:off 11:off 12:off 13:off 14:off

[aatu_kanifani]

Do you have a possibility to test it with a PS3 or Windows? Or both, with and without the dongle?

And do you mean the dongle recognizes itself as Dualshock (3?) in Ubuntu, even if the controller is off?

Not that any of those matter regarding the QtSixA. I'm just curious.

[e2b]

Do you have a possibility to test it with a PS3 or Windows? Or both, with and without the dongle?

I have no PS3 but I've just tested with a Windows computer and got the same result: No direct wired connection, dongle is detected as HID game controller but pressed buttons aren't detected.

And do you mean the dongle recognizes itself as Dualshock (3?) in Ubuntu, even if the controller is off?

Yes, this is dmesg after I've plugged in the USB dongle:

Apr 21 13:34:04: [ 4350.088055] usb 4-2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 4
Apr 21 13:34:05: [ 4350.317270] usb 4-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
Apr 21 13:34:15: [ 4360.333320] sony 0003:054C:0268.0004: timeout initializing reports
Apr 21 13:34:15: [ 4360.333507] input: Gasia Co.,Ltd PS(R) Gamepad as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.2/usb4/4-2/4-2:1.0/input/input13
Apr 21 13:34:15: [ 4360.333806] sony 0003:054C:0268.0004: input,hiddev96,hidraw1: USB HID v1.11 Joystick [Gasia Co.,Ltd PS(R) Gamepad] on usb-0000:00:1d.2-2/input0

Controller was switched off and switching it on didn't change anything.

[aatu_kanifani]

Hmm, that sounds odd indeed.

If Windows doesn't play well with it (and the package didn't include any drivers, I assume), then I'd say they didn't intend it to work with PC.

The wired third-party controllers for PS3 probably use some kind of proprietary detection/calls, otherwise they'd advertise them for both PS3 and PC. Your controller could be the same, they just artificially made it wireless.

But they are a no-name manufacturer, I just don't see why they didn't make it a generic gamepad. Well, I don't see why the more recognized brands don't use generic gamepads, either. And I know for a fact there are gamepads that work with both systems.

Well, just one thing to make sure: have you tried it with first turning on the controller and then plugging in the dongle? It's a far stretch it would change anything, but you could try anyway.

Other than that, I'd say return it. There's possibly even a two weeks' satisfaction guarantee of some sort. Hopefully.

PS. The best thing would be if you could try it out with a friend's PS3. To see if it works at all. There could simply be something wrong with the transmitter and/or receiver chips, etc. Well, that would also lead to returning it, though...

[help_plz]

hey guys I need some help.
I'm pretty much a noob to ubuntu and linux.(I've had experience with Windows XP mostly.)

When I try to run the installer files, I get an error saying it's either corrupt or I don't have permission.

I ran "sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install qtsixa" command and it said I don't have bluez sixaxis and that it couldn't find it.


I'm on 9.10 on my PS3.
I'm using a really old ball mouse and it's getting quite annoying.

[e2b]

Well, just one thing to make sure: have you tried it with first turning on the controller and then plugging in the dongle?

Of course.

When I try to run the installer files, I get an error saying it's either corrupt or I don't have permission.

Simply download "QtSixA-1.2.1-DEBs.zip" from the project page. Unzip and double-click on "sixad_1.2.1-0ubuntu0+karmic1_powerpc.deb". Then start the package installation. That's all, no terminal is needed.

[help_plz]

Simply download "QtSixA-1.2.1-DEBs.zip" from the project page. Unzip and double-click on "sixad_1.2.1-0ubuntu0+karmic1_powerpc.deb". Then start the package installation. That's all, no terminal is needed.

I've just tried this just now and it didn't work.
after I open the "sixad_1.2.1-0ubuntu0+karmic1_powerpc.deb" I get an error message that says
"Could not opensixad_1.2.1-0ubuntu0+karmic1_powerpc.deb"
"The package might be corrupt or you are not allowed to open the file. Check the permissions of the file."

sorry if I wasn't clear before.

[e2b]

"The package might be corrupt or you are not allowed to open the file. Check the permissions of the file."

If you know how to use a terminal you should try to navigate to the unzipped folder and run "sudo dpkg -i sixad_*_powerpc.deb". If this fails you will be able to read some error messages. An other question is: Are you allowed to install anything? Try installing something from the package repository. Maybe you are not in the necessary usergroup.