Plugging PS3 Controllers into the PC

Attention smart people.

I recently obtained copies of all my N64 games and an emulator capable of running them. Somehow I managed this on my own. However, battles or balancing acts in Zelda:OT are much more easily performed on something other than a keyboard.

Then I proceeded to follow this guide, to get my computer to recognize my spare controller. I've spent entirely too much time double checking my steps, uninstalling, restarting, and reinstalling trying to make the thing work.

I should clarify that the controller itself is "detected" according to device manager (and 3rd party programs that let me remap it's keys). However, it doesn't detect input from pressing any of the buttons.

Has anyone already done this successfully? Or more importantly, does anyone have a clue how to solve this bug? 



_{Like my pretentious red font?}

Had a similar issue trying to use a Guitar Hero controller to play Frets on Fire. Now if I could just remember how I ended up making it work...

This is the reason I use 360 controllers.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard/Lion support the PS3 controller natively via Bluetooth, FYI...

Other option: Buy a cheap gamepad.

Are you using a 64 bit OS?  There are no 64 bit drivers for sixaxis/dualshock3, but there is a risky way to get the 32 bit ones to work.  This guide describes the steps needed: http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-make-console-gamepads-play-nice-with-pc-and-mac/203/

Have you tried this?
http://www.hardcoreware.net/how-to-playstation-3-controller-64-bit-windows-7-vista/

Today, there is a solution for all these problems, thanks to the folks at MotionInJoy, based in ShenZhen China, just across the border from me. They have created a driver that works on all versions of Windows, including XP, Vista, and even Windows 7. There are versions for 32-bit x86 and 64-bit x64. Their English is a little choppy, so figuring out the exact method of installing the drivers may be confusing for some. Here’s an illustrated guide on how to install Windows drivers for your Playstation 3 controller:

Are you using a 64 bit OS?  There are no 64 bit drivers for sixaxis/dualshock3, but there is a risky way to get the 32 bit ones to work.  This guide describes the steps needed: http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-make-console-gamepads-play-nice-with-pc-and-mac/203/

The one I need it to work with is running XP.


As for the motionjoy software:

Found some updated dll files, used the motionjoy software to create a digital signature for the first stuff I tried, did a ton of other stuff I can't remember, and restarted. Change too many variables to know what fixed it, but I know have a perfectly working PS3 controller. Thanks guys. 

Hey cool, Markj0.  That's new to me, I haven't messed with my sixaxis on the computer in a while, I'll have to try this out.