Gameport

The gameport [ geɪmpɔ ɹt ː ] is the port on PC -type computers, on which one can connect analog joysticks, paddles, gamepads and with newer ports MIDI devices. Up to four analog control axes and four digital fire buttons are queried via a game port.

Appliances connected to the game port require only a minimum of own electronics, since the evaluation of the analog signals in the computer is done ( for the basic functioning of all be connected to the game port devices, refer to paddle). The gameport was for IBM's first PC ( 1981) offered as an expansion card, making it one along with RS -232 Serial and Centronics Parallel to the "classic" PC interfaces.

Meanwhile, the game port as well as the EIA-232 interface, a parallel interface, displaced by the more versatile USB port which, however, more complex electronics to the input devices are required. On new PCs no longer a game port is therefore now generally available. At the same time the vacant space on the panel is now available for surround jacks.

While the Linux kernel until today (2014) contains a driver for the game port, provides the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows Vista no longer supports the game port and sets the appropriate devices entirely on USB. However, it is still possible for the manufacturer of gameport hardware, at least among 32- bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 certainly provide unsigned own driver, which is partially done. Among the 64 -bit versions of these operating systems, this is, however, in normal operation is not possible because Microsoft forces the driver signing here. The gameport is therefore almost completely disappeared from the market.

On the computer game port is designed as a two-row 15-pin D -sub connector. Since the PC System Design Guide, Intel and Microsoft, the connector is as golden. It can be connected via a Y adapter and two joysticks or gamepads at the same time, however, this only applies to two-axle and zweiknöpfige standard joysticks. Multi-axis joystick and gamepad with more buttons need a whole game port for itself

In addition, if the game port is integrated as since about 1990 standard on a sound card or a motherboard with onboard sound, using a special cable mostly MIDI input and output devices are connected, then by the software of the PC according to the standard MPU -401 to be addressed. This way the game port was introduced by the first Sound Blaster cards and is not part of the original standard. Also MPU -401 is no longer supported as of Windows Vista. In the linux kernel until today (2012 ) come with a MPU - 401 driver.

Pin assignment

.10 .. 11 ... 9 .. 13 .12 .14 ... 15

.. - ... 15 .14 .11 .. 13 .. 12 ... 10 .. 9

Between the axes of the pins and 5 V (Pin 1) 100 k-ohm potentiometer is coupled which is connected to the actual movable joystick and usually installed in the bottom part. When the button of the joystick to be operated, the corresponding lines are connected to ground.

It is important to note that Gameports often spend on PCI cards only 3.3 volts instead of 5 volts to the corresponding pins. Thus, some devices no longer work with active electronics on such cards.