suddenly, as I was online to make the purchase, my Saitek x-45 started flashing. The computer started beeping and saying it wasn't recognizing the usb device. Don't know what happened, but thinking my stick went belly-up. One of the saddest days here for me now, the stick has given me so many years of great service.

So, now I think I need a new stick, unless someone else had this happen to them and Im over-reacting. Any thoughts? Would rather stay below the $100 mark, but an X-52 isn't out of the question. Thoughts on how to fix the X-45 or on a new stick?

Well, got it working again, in a way. It responds but isn't fast at responding. Meaning I have to hold a button on it to work. Even now the lights on the stick flash on and off randomly.

Silly question(?), but have you tried a different USB port?

Yeah, think I narrowed the problem down, I just uninstalled everything, then reinstalled using the disk that came with the stick, afterwards, I had an old driver that I knew worked well and updated that way.

Now it seems to be working, hopefully it stays working. couple flights in and no slow response or anything.

About to just order track ir now. lol Hopefully stick lasts a few weeks if it does go down again. That would be such a buzzkill to get the track ir in the mail with no stick to fly lol.

If you continue to have problems, I have an old (but hardly used) X45 in the closet that has been there long enough for me to accept that I won't be missing it. I'd be willing to sell it if you end up having to replace your old one.

Well, I don't know what to do, still having issues with it not responding for a couple seconds.

Dr Meltdown, I appreciate the offer, but maybe I will just go with a new X-52 or something. Either my drivers are screwy or the stick, but I cant buy another X-45 if I messed up the drivers somehow and cant get them back to normal.

I forget the exact details, but there was something often recommended in the Saitek forums that involved deleting a registry entry to fix some issues. If I had more time I'd look it up.

Thanks dr meltdown, I will check it out. Weird how today the stick works perfectly again, but going to see what the forums have to say just in case it keeps deciding to work on and off.

And I just placed the order for my track ir Feel like a kid waiting for Christmas again. On a different note, how long did it take other users to get used to the head tracker?

I have had similar problems with my old X45 LC. bought a cheap stick (Cyborg X) which I use in conjunction with the X45 Throttle assembly which still works.
As far as Track IR goes, have had it since version one, Took a couple of weeks to get used to it and get over the early disorientation; couldn't 'fly' without it now

BD-123 so it sounds like the problem might come back? Just old wear and tear on the ol girl?

Nice to hear about the IR. Im pretty stoked as I have been thinking of getting it since back years ago. But I like to fidget in my chair so Im going to have to learn to sit still lol

Does the X45 have extern power supply? If not, then your system power supply might be the problem.