The set-up:

I'm currently running a dual boot with win98se. I have MechWarrior4 and a Sidewinder ForceFeedback Pro stick (great combo with mw3.)

I'm running sound from my motherboard with the SiS7012 chipset. And I have a gameport connected directly to the motherboard. It appears that win98se will only support the stick from a sound card. Game control properties keeps saying the stick is "not connected."

I see one of two options:

#1 Get the stick running in nix and the game in wine and off I go! With that in mind:

How do I get the Sidewinder ForceFeedback Pro configured to run in nix?

...and does anyone know/can verify that the actual "force feedback" works, or is it just another joystick?

#2 Drop the motherboard sound and install an old SoundBlaster Live! card I have.

Screw the sound issues with windows, but if I add on the live card, I think I'll be putting an older chipset in rather than my motherboard. I'll keep using the motherboard sound, but how would I ensure the sound card is never "seen" by linux? (windows only use.)

Any advice on what the best option here is? (hoping #1 works out... ) ...or some help in letting me know where to look... search here gave nada...

Bump from page 3.... wow, things move fast here...

I suppose the real question I have is, how do I add a sound card to the computer, and have Linux always ignore it when it looks for new hardware. Kinda like the windows option for hardware to "never use in this profile."

Ideally, configuring the joystick for nix would be best...

For joystick support see:

http://linuxconsole.sourceforge.net/input/hardware.html

The joystick driver is already included in the current kernel. Maybe MDK has some tool to configure it. Looks like no feedback support at present however

If you put a second sound card in after Linux is already installed, I think it will just be ignored.

Well, I sent off a letter to beg and plead for force feedback support.... That's really the only reason to keep windows on my system now.... Simply to play MechWarrior with the thumping feet...

Ah well.... I'm wondering now if anyone can verify that adding a sound card that will not be connected to any speakers after installation will be ok?

This could be a better question in the Mandrake forum, since they do the "new hardware checks." Anyone here have an idea?