Well, here I am. Unable to engage in Falcon nirvana because my $500 HOTAS is inoperable.

No LED's (which would never go off with my computer anyway), and Windows does not recognize it as a device any longer. The joystick is recognized, just not the throttle unit.



Lucky me!! YAY!

I also beleive that a firmware fix takes care of this issue.


Bullet

Nope, this is AFTER the firmware fix. I did the firmware update when it came out a few days ago.

I must have missed this then because I thought this is the same error and what the fix was released?


Bullet

There is a "fix" that TM has supposedly given to people having the problem on a case by case basis.

The firmware that was released publicly was intended to prevent things like this and will be of no use whatsoever to someone with this problem.

Two separate things.

I hear ya.

But I am saying that this issue happened AFTER a firmware update.

No need to fear!

I am sure that TM/Guillemot will stand behind their product and send you a brand new one!

Thank God I am not in a hurry to get one!

$500 for a chance at owning a pricey paper weight? Uh uh! No sir!

In the meantime, I hope you get this issue solved ASAP.

Dastardly, have you tried to update the firmware again? This indeed does sound like the same issue a few of us have had, where the firmware gets dropped.

Right...I know yours did. I was referring to the other poster (can't see it now that I'm in a reply) who was confusing the firmware update with the "fix".

I haven't seen the 'fix' but I know the doc for this update basically says it'll only update firmware if the device is already working properly.

Wasn't there an issue with the old Cougar HOTAS, that the throttle should not be connected to
the joystick during flashupdate?
If it was, there was a chance the throttle became 'toasted'.

History repeating???
But I guess in the new setup, the throttle is connected seperately via USB.

Good luck with your Warthog HOTAS!

Bye,
GC

The throttle isn't connected to the stick on the warthog.

Having same problem, I received mine from amazon over a week ago and updated the firmware immediately upon plugging it in after reading online about the dead throttles and how the firmware would prevent the paperweight.

Lo and behold here we are about 1+1/2 weeks later with a paperweight on the latest firmware since day 1. I have one of the 5 programmable led's flicker when I plug it in (by itself directly to the motherboard) and then it is recognized as a "unknown device" with an error code and you are not able to communicate with it / update firmware / do anything.

What a disappointment after investing $500. Amazon has been good about an exchange (duh, its amazon, one of the reasons I went with them in the first place) but with Christmas shipping times it will be a bit before I receive it.

Sucks all around! Was going to play a ton during Christmas vacation because I'm really overloaded at work. Looks like my replacement HOTAS will arrive just in time to go back to work

Multiple reports of TM Warthog throttles dying recently over on the Lockon forums:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=60614

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=63676

Guess Guillemot continues their tradition with quality control issues with the Warthog.

I was hoping they would have get it right this time. Mine works, but it's quite an alarming trend.

Man these reports are really frightening. Since i'll probably not have that much time to use the HOTAS the coming days, i "took the risk" and updated the firmware, even though i didn't have any problem at all (knock on wood). Firmware updated fine for both the stick and throttle, still no problems.

I've got mine hooked to a powered hub, which in turn is connected to a KVM switch, so it switches the hub between systems, and so far - knock wood - it's still working.

I'm a bit worried though, and am thinking it's probably more a matter of "when" instead of "if" my throttle goes dead.

Small solace but at least they've failed during the warranty period.

Hi Dastardly,

If you got this problem after reflashing the firmware, the update process might have failed in some way.

I know that because I too had issues. My first issue was that I tried to update the firmware on a USB 3.0 port. As soon as I switched to a USB 2.0 port, the update worked like a charm. I've also heard of situations where the update fails when using a USB hub, powered or not.

Just FYI, I managed to reflash the firmware following the instructions on the Thrusmtaster tech support website:
http://ts.thrustmaster.com/download/acce...line_v1_ENG.pdf

Of course, I used the latest driver, which I advise you to use too:
http://ts.thrustmaster.com/download/pub/webupdate/HotasWT/2010_TMHW_1.exe

If you still have issue, please PM me. I'll try to work out a solution for you.

Its threads like these that make me glad I haven't upgraded from my Cougar HOTAS yet. Also I assume that with the modernization of the Warthog there might be no gameport adapter built into the Joystick for me to connect both, my Thrustmaster Rudder Control System pedals AND my throttle.

USB sounds ideal, but as my PC sits now with the Track IR, Flight Console, HOTAS, G15 Keyboard, 2 mice, an RC plane simulator etc. Ive maxed out every USB port, so I much prefer the gameports and can get by fine on the Cougar HOTAS til they work out the issues with the Warthog.

Besides, looking at the Warthog joystick, it doesn't look all that much different than the F-16 joystick the Cougar HOTAS is based off of. The multiple throttles is cool and I would definitly go for it, if I did not have a flight-console that has an additional 2 throttles for multiple engines, i guess that extra throttle on the Warthog would come in handy if I had a B-17 simulator, but otherwise, its overkill when in combination with my custom flight-console.

One other thing, is the throttle and joystick made of metal? I like cold metal in my hands over cheap plastic.

The joystick and throttle console are made of metal, the throttle handles are plastic but they feel terrific. Plus, the throttle travel is MUCH smoother on the Warthog and more precise than the Cougar's.