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Controller:DualShock 3

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
Revision as of 08:40, 14 January 2021 by FlameMan (talk | contribs) (→‎reWASD: face buttons)
DualShock 3
DualShock 3 cover
XInput support
Predecessor
Sixaxis
DualShock 2
Successor
PlayStation Move
DualShock 4
DualShock 3 on Wikipedia

Key points

Remove MotionInJoy and Better DS3 if they are installed. See Removing MotionInJoy.
DualShock 3 controllers can be used either wired via USB Mini-B cable or wireless with Bluetooth dongles supporting Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
Very good D-pad, 10-bit precision analog sticks, pressure sensitive buttons.
RPCS3 and PCSX2 emulators have native support for DualShock 3.
Controller has Gyroscope and Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons but features are supported only by emulators and GTA ports. However reWASD software is considering to extend support by DualShock's 3 features. [1].
Has non-standard HID descriptors[2] and broken Bluetooth protocol[3] that require specific drivers fixes to be used.

Controller variations

The Sixaxis controller is an earlier variant of the DualShock 3 controller, lacking force feedback. See Sixaxis.

Use with PC platforms

Windows

Windows 10 has no native drivers; drivers are needed. When the gamepad is plugged in for the first time, Windows 10 detects it and the device shows up as a placeholder device. Once the official drivers is installed, the device acts as a DirectInput gamepad. All buttons are tested to work under Windows "Game controller settings".

reWASD

Supports DualShock 3 controller via bluetooth adapter or cable, does not require manual driver installment.
LED shows which config slot is active at the moment.
Allows emulate virtual DS4 controller to play PS4 Remote Play, PS Now or Dualshock 4 compatible games. Including gyro and accelerometer control.
Allows emulate virtual Xbox 360 controller to play XInput compatible games.
Does not support analog face buttons feature. Face buttons are supported as digital buttons and cannot act like triggers.
Custom configs for DualShock 3 controller can be found in official Community Configs Library maintained by reWASD users.

Wired connection - official drivers

Does not support gyroscope and analog face buttons. For additional features it's recommended to use ViGem drivers.
Setup
There is no need to have a program running in the background, once the drivers are installed the controller works.
While the drivers might be official, they don't work on nearly as many games as the unofficial ones due to not supporting the 360 controllers Xinput, and to make matters even worse, not using conventional input values.
  1. Plug in the Dualshock 3 or SIXAXIS controller into the computer, and if prompted, install the dummy drivers. These are not designed to make the controller usable, they are just there to make it so windows can identify them.
  2. Download and install the Official DualShock 3 drivers v3.0.0.0 for Windows and install it.

Notes

If the installer gets stuck, take a toothpick or a needle and press down the reset button in the small hole on the back of the device.

Wired connection - unofficial drivers

Using ViGem Drivers
Development is still active.
DualShock 3 can be used as virtual DualShock 4 controller
Only suport Windows 10 right now.
Installed Windows Service for the drivers sometimes doesn't start at boot and need to be started manually.
Instructions[4]
  1. Make sure no other DS3 drivers, like SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper, are installed.
  2. Plug-in the controller and let Windows install any drivers if prompted.
  3. Download Fireshock, ViGemBus and Shibari (choose the latest version).
  4. Extract FireShock archive and execute the dpinst.exe (or dpinst64.exe) in the folder.
  5. Run ViGemBus_Setup_XXXX.exe and finish the setup.
  6. Extract Shibari archive to your system drive (usually C:). Take note on the folder path.
  7. Press Win and type powershell, select Run as Administrator.
  8. On the powershell console, depend on your Shibari folder path, type <Shibari folder path>\Shibari.Dom.Server.exe install (ex: C:\Shibari\Shibari.Dom.Server.exe install).
  9. After the process is complete, type Start-Service Shibari.Dom.Server on the powershell console to start the service and finish the drivers setup.

Notes

Sometimes Shibari service does not start at startup so you need to repeat the last step again.
Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
Support Windows XP and up.
No longer maintained[5].
Instructions
  1. Plug-in the controller and let Windows install any drivers if prompted.
  2. Download the DualShock XInput Wrapper.
  3. Push Win+R and type %SystemDrive% then select OK and extract the ScpServer folder in that location.
  4. Now perform the following based on the operating system:
    • Windows 10, 8.x:
      1. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
      • If the controller still does not connect (may involve the controller number LEDs all flashing), uninstall and then retry while having Force Install checked before selecting Install again.
    • Windows 7:
      1. Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
      2. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
      3. Check the Force Install checkbox and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
    • Windows Vista, XP
      1. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
      2. Check the Force Install checkbox and uncheck the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
      3. Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.

Bluetooth connection

Using ViGem Drivers
Can use other Bluetooth Devices.
Like the wired solution, service for the drivers sometimes does not start.
Instructions[6]
  1. Make sure your bluetooth is turned on and/or connected and there is no other DS3 drivers installed.
  2. Download BthPS3.
  3. Run BthPS3.Bluetooth.Drivers_vXXX.exe and finish the setup.
  4. After you finish the setup, you will get a link to the next step which is identical to the wired connection guide. Do the steps listed in there.
  5. Type Get-Service Shibari.Dom.Server on the Powershell window that was run as administrator to see if the service already started. Start the service if it isn't.
  6. Plug-in your controller with USB cable and turn it on to pair it with your bluetooth if it hasn't.
  7. Unplug your controller and turn it on if it isn't.

Notes

If the light on your controller is just flashing, most likely it means that the Shibari service failed to start. Try restarting the service manually.
Using SCPDriver/XInput Wrapper
Other Bluetooth devices cannot be used.
Instructions
  1. Plug-in the controller and let Windows install any drivers if prompted.
  2. Download the DualShock XInput Wrapper.
  3. Push Win+R and type %SystemDrive% then select OK and extract the ScpServer folder in that location.
  4. Now perform the following based on the operating system:
    • Windows 10, 8.x:
      1. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
    • Windows 7:
      1. Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
      2. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
      3. Check the Force Install checkbox and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
    • Windows Vista, XP:
      1. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe
      2. Check the Force Install checkbox and check the Bluetooth checkbox then select Install.
      3. Download and install the Xbox 360 Controller Drivers.
  5. Push Win+R and type control printers then select OK.
  6. Insert the Bluetooth dongle, then copy the last name which shows up.
  7. Run ScpServer\Binaries\zadig\zadig.exe
  8. Under Device select Load Preset Device and Bluetooth.cfg then select Open.
  9. Under Options select List All Devices.
  10. Select the name found in control printers from the dropdown menu, then select Replace Driver.
  11. Unplug the controller.

Notes

Pair the controller to the desired computer by plugging it in. Unplug it to use it with the Bluetooth dongle.
If the controller isn't working push the central Home button to turn it on, plug it into the desired computer, then unplug it.
If the device isn't being paired try reinstalling the DualShock 3 Driver.
Bluetooth Driver Removal
If the instructions didn't work then remove the Bluetooth drivers and try something else.
If the device manager asks to restart select No.
Instructions
  1. Plug-in the desired Bluetooth device.
  2. Push Win+R and type devmgmt.msc then push OK.
  3. Find the desired Bluetooth device under Universal Serial Bus devices.
  4. Right Click on it then select Uninstall and select the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox.
  5. Unplug the Bluetooth device, then plug it in again.
  6. Find the desired Bluetooth device under Bluetooth.
  7. Right Click on it then select Uninstall and select the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox.
  8. Unplug the Bluetooth device, then plug it in again.
  9. Reinstall the drivers for the appropiate device. See Bluetooth.

Notes

If the drivers are not working find them on the manufacturer's website.

XInput wrapping

Acting as native DirectInput controller, it's possible to use any of the generic wrappers. See the controller article for those.

macOS

OS X 10.7 and Newer
  1. Plug-in the desired controller and ignore the Pairing Request.
  2. Go to Bluetooth Preferences.
  3. Select Connected and Configured and deselect Paired if needed.
  4. Find the PlayStation3 controller in the list, and add it to the favourites.
OS X 10.6 and Older

Download and install this driver.

Linux

Download and install the Sixaxis Joystick Manager.

Steam

Controller can be found in Supported Controller Database and it's correctly recognizable as PlayStation DualShock 3 controller.
Natively supported wired and wireless (since beta build 554). To pair over bluetooth: connect via USB cable press PlayStation button. Unplug USB cable then press again PlayStation button and now DualShock 3 works over bluetooth.
Not capable of making full use of Steam Input. Does not include support for the DS3 gyro or analog face buttons. Gyroscope is not visible in configuration menu.
If you’re using a DS3 on Windows you’ll have to obtain the Sony driver through PlayStation Now.

Steam Link compatibility

Natively supported wired and wireless (since beta build 554).[7]
Works without any drivers on any operating system that supports Steam.
Can be used just to send input from a controller to a PC. Go into Streaming options, hit and disable video and audio streaming.
To pair over bluetooth connect via USB cable press PlayStation button. Unplug USB cable then press again PlayStation button and now DS3 works over bluetooth.
Some clones (CECHZC2H Bluetooth DualShochIII and OUBANG PS3 Controller Wireless Dualshock3) won't work wirelessly.[8]
Won't work great unless you connect it to LAN or a low latency Wi-Fi.

Hardware

Mayflash Wireless PS3 Controller to USB Adapter

All controllers that can be paired and work with regular PlayStation 3 should work, including third party ones.
Has switch on side of adapter, allowing for both XInput and DirectInput modes natively. XInput should work with regular drivers, for rumble to work with DirectInput mode, drivers needs to be downloaded manufacturers website.
Can connect one controller in XInput Mode and four controllers in DirectInput Mode.
Includes turbo mode. Pressing PlayStation and button toggles turbo for that button. To disable turbo for all buttons press PlayStation button twice quickly.

8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter or USB Wireless Adapter for PS classic edition

All controllers that can be paired and work with regular PlayStation 3 should work, including third party ones.
Supports X-input, D-input, Mac mode, Switch mode.

Issues fixed

Controller no longer detected or working (Windows)

Instructions
  1. Plug-in the desired controller.
  2. Run ScpServer\Binaries\SCPDriver.exe and select Uninstall. Check the Bluetooth Driver checkbox if needed.
  3. See PS3 Controller on Windows.

Playing with multiple PlayStation 3 Controllers on Windows

Set up the Xbox 360 Controller Emulator, then play the desired multiplayer game with multiple controllers, such as Lego Marvel Super Heroes.

Support in games

Games with generic DirectInput support are supported by the controller, however button placements may be out of place and need to be rebound. Refer to game-specific articles for rebinding support.

Gyroscope and Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons

Gyroscope is supported in emulators like RPCS3[9], Cemu (via Cemuhook[10]) or Dolphin (via DSU protocol[11]).
Pressure-sensitive face buttons are supported in PlayStation emulators PCSX2 [12] (thanks to ViGEm/FireSock) and RPCS3[9].
Mod GInput for GTA III, Vice City and San Andreas enables support for DualShock 3 controllers and SCP Driver Package - including pressure sensitive buttons and SIXAXIS accelerometers[13].

Games with DualShock button prompts

Please note, that this is only list for games that offer DualShock button prompts.
Some may require use of DualShock 4, which right now isn't possible to emulate. Refer to game-specific articles for details.

{{#ask: Buttons prompts::DualShock | ?Developed by = Developer | ?Published by = Publisher | ?Uses engine = Engine | ?Release date = First release |+limit=1 | ?Available on = Systems | Sort = Release date | Order = descending | limit = 20 | introtemplate = Infobox company/intro/company | outrotemplate = Infobox company/outro | template = Infobox company/row/company | format = template | default = }}

Other information

Removing MotionInJoy

Due to the way MotionInJoy behaves a full reformat is advised instead. The following steps could potentially harm Windows, backup any important files before following these instructions.
MotionInJoy should be always treated as malware due to its odd and overall harmful behaviour. It can trigger BSODs, crashes and other major system issues.
Instructions[14]
  1. Download Geek Uninstaller, then extract it anywhere.
  2. Find MotionInJoy in the list, then Double Click on it, select Finish when asked to remove any leftover items.
  3. Open a command prompt as an admin.
  4. Type and run pnputil.exe -e, and find MotionInJoy's *.inf ID, under the Published name field.
  5. Replace the star with MotionInJoy's ID in the following command pnputil.exe -f -d *.inf and run it.
  6. Navigate to %WINDIR%\System32\drivers\ and remove MijXfilt.sys.

Notes

Geek Uninstaller is portable and as such can be easily removed afterwards.
Deleting any system files in use could potentially break the current Windows installation.
Overridden Bluetooth Driver
  1. Plug-in the desired bluetooth device.
  2. Open Devices and Printers, and find the desired device.
  3. Right Click on the device, select Properties, the Hardware tab, and Properties again.
  4. Select Change Settings, Authenticate, the Driver tab, and Uninstall.
  5. When asked to remove the device's software select OK.
  6. Remove and plug-in again the desired device.

Technical information

Wireless controller, HWID: 054C:0268


References