A3D/Panther/PantherXL DOS and Windows Drivers

The Current Drivers are Version 4.0 for the Panther and Assassin 3D
The Panther XL is Version 4.11

Features

The Windows 95 DirectInput driver has several very-cool features:

• Supports all joystick types (generic, CH compatible and ThrustMaster compatible)
• Converts any analog joystick into a digital high-precision joystick for Windows 95 games
• Supports Assassin 3D/Panther/Panther XL trackball for Windows 95 first-person games like WinQuake, Quake2 and Unreal.
• Supports your throttle and rudder (and digitizes them as well)
• Provides a simulated throttle and rudder (via the trackball) for joysticks that don't have those features

Changes in Version 4.0 and 4.11

• This software will work and is designed for all the FPgaming A3D Technology products. These products include: The FPgaming Assassin 3D, The Mad Catz Panther and the Mad Catz Panther XL.
• Please remember that in all instances where you see FPgaming Assassin 3D you can replace MadCatz Panther.
• Added Support for Diamond MonsterSound Cards (Win95 only as the M80 and MX200 do not support DOS joysticks)
• Added Support for Aureal (A3D) Technology Sound Cards (Win95 & DOS)
• Added Special_Fire to the options for Blood, see the Blood setup page.
• Added the PantherXL Control Center to both sets of Drivers and outdated the DOS Games Configuration Program.
• In Version 3.0, we added support for the new DirectX specifications (Windows 98) and created a new feature that will repair potential registry problems.

The Files

panwin.exe 1245k Ver 4.0 : MadCatz Panther or FPgaming Assassin 3D.

pxlwin.exe 1273k Ver 4.11: MadCatz Panther XL

Important Notes

• If you have the Diamond Monster Sound Cards (M80 & MX200) you will need the Current Monster Sound Drivers available from the Diamond Web Site. You may also need a newer f3joyfix.exe program. It is available here as a zip file. Expand the f3joyfix.exe into your \program files\monster sound folder replacing your current f3joyfix.exe file.
• You must have Direct X installed, currently Version 6. Available from the Microsoft Website
• Caution: You MUST uninstall any older FPgaming Drivers. The driver name has changed and can cause a "General Protection Fault" (the dreaded Blue Screen of Death) if fpjoy.vxd exists in your Windows\system folder. Here is the info if you need to know how to check for and remove fpjoy.vxd.
• You can get a copy of the A3D Users Guide (5-7-97) in Word 6.0 file format. A3DGUIDE.ZIP 192kb

• Please report any and all comments or suggestions to support

Version Information

MadCatz Panther & Panther XL DOS Driver V2.7 and
Windows 95 DirectInput Driver V4.0
Installation Procedure and Reference
September 25, 1998
Revision 4.0

The MadCatz Panther and Panther XL drivers replace all previous versions of the Assassin 3D Drivers. The MadCatz Panther Windows 95 DirectInput Driver allows the joystick that is connected to your Panther to operate as if it was directly connected to the gameport. In addition, the joystick performance is improved considerably as the joystick information is digitized within your Panther . You will notice that the jitter and noise are completely removed. Lastly, the time required by the computer to collect the joystick data is significantly reduced. This provides for faster game play. Following are the procedures for installing and uninstalling this driver. You should exit all programs before installing the Panther or Panther XL Drivers, you will be prompted to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

See the Quick Installation Directions

Remember to Uninstall before you install

Installing the Assassin 3D Drivers

1. Download the latest drivers from the links above. Save this file to a temporary folder.

2. Uninstall your older drivers and DOS settings using the steps below.

3. Run the downloaded file from step #1, you will see,.This will install Madcatz Panther or Panther XL drivers and Control Center. Do you wish to continue?

4. Click Yes, you will seea Welcome Screen

5. Click Next, you will see the Information Readme screen

6. Click Next, you will be asked to choose Destination Location

7. Click Next to accept the default "C:\madcatz", you will be asked to select the Program Folder

8. Click Next to accept the default "Mad Catz Panther or Panther XL", This will copy the necessary files, create icons, and modify your autoexec.bat (DOS" variables. You will be asked if you want to restart your computer.

9. If you choose the Default "Yes" and click finish your machine will be re-started
   If you choose "No:, you will be asked if you want to view the readme file.

10. Choose Yes and click finish to view the readme. or
    Leave the checkbox blank and click finish to complete the installation.

11. Make sure that you re-start your machine before you try to play any DOS Games

Calibrating your Joystick for Windows 95 Drivers

1. Click Start, then select Settings followed by Control Panel.

2. Double-click on Game Controllers, requires DirectX 6 or above.

3. If a Controller exists in the controller window, click remove and answer Yes.

4. Click the Add Button, you will see a list of controllers.

5. Scroll to the MadCatz options and select the option that corresponds to your connected joystick. You may have up to five MadCatz selections, see Choosing your Joystick Settings below.
   MadCatz Panther & CH compatible joystick
   MadCatz Panther & TM compatible joystick
   MadCatz Panther & generic joystick
   MadCatz Panther & no joystick
   MadCatz Panther XL

6. Click OK, You should see your selection listed in the window with a status of OK. Not OK ?

7. Click the Properties button, this will show you the properties screen.

8. Click on the Calibrate Button. Follow the on-screen prompts, click the Finish button when prompted.

9. Click on the Test tab and verify that all functions are correct. Note: This is the best place to identify which buttons are which depending on your joystick selection.

10. When finished testing click ok to return to the Game Controllers screen.

11. Click OK to close game Controllers.

Choosing your Joystick Settings

Choosing your joystick settings

Before your Panther can be configured for use in a game, it must first be calibrated and tested.

There are several different types of analog joysticks. The most common is referred to as Generic. The Generic joystick has 2 axes and up to 4 buttons. There are also special types of joysticks that allow for additional features; such as a 4-way hat switch, rudder and throttle. Simply, choose your joystick from the four options. If you are unsure which joystick type you have, it is okay to just make a selection and proceed through to the testing. If the joystick is behaving strangely, then you may need to choose a different type. In this case, just rerun the program and pick another type. Alternately, many times the joystick documentation will tell you what type the joystick is.

MadCatz Panther & CH compatible joystick

Select this option if you have a CH Products joystick or compatible. The Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro with bottom switch in the one-dot position is a CH Products compatible joystick. The Logitech WingMan Extreme Digital with the base button pressed is a CH Products compatible.

MadCatz Panther & TM compatible joystick

Select this option if you have a ThrustMaster joystick or compatible. The Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro with bottom switch in the two-dot position is a ThrustMaster compatible joystick. Also, the Logitech WingMan Extremes (Analog and Digital) are ThrustMaster compatible joysticks.

MadCatz Panther & generic joystick

Select this option if you have a generic joystick with up to 4 buttons. The Logitech WingMan and the Microsoft SideWinder Standard are examples of this type of joystick.

MadCatz Panther & no joystick

Select this option if you are using your Panther without a joystick.

Notes:

Additionally, both a throttle and a rudder are supported. The throttle is an optional control that is located on your joystick. The rudder is typically an optional piece of equipment that resides under the desk. However, some joysticks have a rudder built-in. The Microsoft SideWinder 3D Pro, for instance, has an integral rudder that can be activated by twisting the joystick handle.

If you do not have a throttle or rudder, it will be automatically simulated by the Panther trackball. Trackball forward/backward movement controls the simulated throttle and trackball left/right movement controls the simulated rudder. For instance, a user with a Logitech WingMan Extreme can use the Panther's trackball for throttle control in Microsoft's Hellbender.

Mad Catz Panther XL

Select this option if you have a Mad Catz Panther XL and want to play any of the Supported Games.

Mad Catz Panther XL + DOS Joystick

Select this option if you have the Mad Catz Panther XL and want to use it in a non supported game. This DOS Joystick feature will not work in all games but does work in some. This will allow you to use the joystick portion of your PantherXL as a regular joystick with a throttle.

For more information on Joysticks see Premium Joysticks (Pros and Cons)

Calibrating your Joystick for DOS Drivers

The DOS calibration procedure will set up the Panther/Assassin 3D and your joystick or your Panther XL for DOS games. This procedure will only need to be performed once. You will however need to repeat the procedure if you install a different joystick. For an in depth explanation of these steps refer to Running the Assassin 3D DOS Calibration and Test.

You may either use the supplied shortcut "DOS Calibration and Test" in your StartMenu/Programs/Madcatz folder or the following.

1. Click Start, then select Programs followed by MS-DOS Prompt

2. Change to the folder where you installed the drivers, "cd\madcatz" (default) and tap ENTER.

3. Type "panther" and tap ENTER.

4. Proceed to calibrate and test your joystick following the on screen prompts.

5. When finished type "exit" and tap ENTER to return to Windows.

Refer to Joystick Pros and Cons for help selecting your type of joystick

Uninstalling the Assassin 3D Windows 95 Drivers

1. Uninstalling the Panther/Panther XL/A3D (should you ever need to) is designed to be as painless as possible. The Install Shield Uninstall Wizard will take care of most of the work. Follow the steps below to completely remove the Assassin 3D DOS and Windows 95 Drivers from your system.
   

   Note: The InstallShield package does not remove the DOS settings. Steps 1 - 5 (optional) will insure these settings are removed. You may start at step 6 to remove the Windows 95 settings ignoring the DOS settings.

   1. Click Start, then Run. Type in sysedit and click OK. This will open the System Editor.

   2. The top page will be your autoexec.bat file. Locate and Delete any and all of the following items.
      SET FPGAMING=C:\fpgaming
      SET MADCATZ=C:\madcatz
      SET FPGAMING=C:\madcatz

   3. You may also see a line similar to the following examples, you will want to delete the fpgaming and/or madcatz entries.
      SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\MADCATZ or
      SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\FPGAMING

   4. Click on File and then Save.

   5. Close the System Configuration editor.

   6. Click Start, then select Settings followed by Control Panel. This will open the Control Panel

   7. Double-click on 'Game Controllers' to open Game Controllers

   8. Click on the Remove button, you will be asked if you are sure.

   9. Select Yes, to remove the device

   10. Click OK, to close Game Controllers and return to Control Panel

   11. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs.

   12. Select MadCatz Panther or Panther XL Drivers and click Add/Remove…
       Note: Remove any FPgaming references also. You will be asked if you are sure.

   13. Click Yes, You will see Uninstall successfully completed
       Note: You may also remove any shared files if prompted.

   14. Click OK to close the Add/Remove Programs.

Return to Installation directions

Button Assignments Windows 95 Drivers

Different joysticks have different numbers of buttons. Hence, depending on the joystick selection you have made, the button assignments will change. This allows you to configure the largest amount of buttons possible for your type of joystick. These joystick values will be assigned with either a FPgaming Assassin 3D or a MadCatz Panther.

WinQuake, GLQuake, QuakeWorld, Hexen II and Quake 2 Users.

The Button assignments for key bindings are as follows: Joy1 - Joy4 for Button # 1 - 4
AUX5 - AUX14 for Buttons # 5 - 14 and AUX29 - AUX32 for POV - N,E,S,W

Quick Directions

Please do not start this procedure without reading through the entire process.

1. Deselect any FPgaming or Madcatz listing in Game Controllers located in the Control Panel. Note: Choose NONE
2. Uninstall the old Drivers using Add / Remove Programs located in the Control Panel. Note: You may want to save your old gamename.ini files as they will be overwritten by the assigned default ini files.
3. Install the New Drivers. You can use Add / Remove Programs located in the Control Panel but this is not necessary. Click on the file that you downloaded above and follow the on screen prompts.
4. Recalibrate using Game Controllers located in the Control panel.
5. Recalibrate for DOS using panther.exe (shortcut is the DOS calibration and test)
6. Replace any saved gamename.ini files from step 2. Copy them into the new MadCatz folder for use by the Panther XL Control Center

This should get you ready to go. Click Here to see the Online Manual. See Game Setups for more help setting up your games.

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This page was last updated 06/13/04