FFB adapters + BB3: new firmwares after 2.19.6 do not autoconfig properly for MCGU

[nubb_poyo]

For direct grip-to-Blackbox connections on FFB adapters for VKB (Tianhang and VPForce), with Blackbox Mk3 specifically, Default + autoconfig process no longer works for MCG Ultimate grips on firmware v2.19E and newer. With older firmwares the MCGU grip could be properly set up without using any Gunfighter base or manual external device config.

Observations:
- If config is completed on a working firmware (i.e. 2.19.6) and then a newer firmware is flashed (i.e. 2.20C) without resetting with Default + autoconfig, then the grip still works fine as MCGU.
- SCG always autoconfigs fine regardless of firmware version.
- BB3 LEDs for working firmware: left side - blue LED periodically flashing red, right side - 1 green + 1 flashing red + 1 off
- BB3 LEDs for non-working firmware: left side - blue LED periodically flashing red, right side - 1 yellow + 2 green

MCGU autodetects?
- 2.16.5: YES, MCGU recognizes immediately
- 2.19.6: YES, MCGU recognizes immediately after pressing Default
- 2.19E: NO, only shows MCG Pro
- 2.19F: NO, only shows MCG Pro
- 2.21.6: NO, only shows MCG Pro
- 2.20C: NO, only shows MCG Pro
- 2.22.5: NO, only shows MCG Pro
- 2.22.5 MD: NO, only shows MCG Pro

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Tech support questions:

1. Specify the versions:
- Firmwares: 2.16.5, 2.19.6, 2.19E, 2.19F, 2.21.6, 2.20C, 2.22.5
- Software: 0.93.26, 0.93.89
- OS: Windows 11 24H2 LTSC IoT

2. Config file for 2.19.6 (working) and 2.22.5 (not working) are attached

3. MCG Ultimate (Rev.B to Rev.C converted), SCG Premium Right Rev.C, Blackbox Mk3, Tianhang VKB Rev.C to TM adapter, VPForce VKB Rev.C to TM adapter
(whether Tianhang or VPForce adapter is used, is irrelevant, same result)
https://dcadf4-5.myshopify.com/products ... -connector
https://docs.vpforce.eu/rhino/getting-s ... kb-adapter

4. No other input device software running

[Ron61]

Try using the new configurator when changing the firmware from here.

[nubb_poyo]

Tried newest 94.44 vkbdevcfg, no change.

[Ron61]

Can you record a video of the setup process and attach a link to it here? I haven't been able to replicate it yet.
Have you created a working profile for the grip and tried uploading it after flashing the firmware?

[nubb_poyo]

Loading a working 2.19.6 profile on works on 2.22.5 for now.

Here's a video of starting with the 2.19.6 profile, then Default and failed autoconfig, back to loading the 2.19.6 profile, all on 2.22.5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8JqOgvmf8

[Alex Oz]

Configuration with only one grip without a base is not a standard device and must be configured manually.

[nubb_poyo]

Of course, I understand your point, but FFB adapters have *always* been a plug and play affair dating back even to BB1. What I'm curious about is what has changed in recent firmware to completely change this years-old trend.

If you don't believe that this is something to address, I respect that view, but I would at least appreciate a guide as to how to manually configure a MCGU, so that I can follow that in the future and also recommend others to follow the same guide. VKB has (perhaps unintentionally) carved out a special and growing niche for itself as a universal grip for any FFB, that requires no electrical connection with FFB bases to work. It would be a bit of a shame to throw that away.

Curious that SCG still configs just fine. It appears to be a MCGU-only bug for now.

[IVAN01rch]

I feel you pain. I am having the same issue with MGCU. F-14 grip works juuust fine with all the firmwares. Luckily I have it for now.

[Ron61]

The attached profile only specifies the MCGU grip, without the base.
You can upload this profile after flashing and calibrate all available axes (including the trigger).
You can go even further and take screenshots of each configurator tab before uploading this profile and then compare them after uploading.
This will help you understand the MCGU grip settings.

2.225 VKBSim Gunfighter MCG Ultimate MkIII no base.zip

(4.28 KiB) Downloaded 9 times

[nubb_poyo]

Thank you Ron for the profile. It works great and I will build off of this cfg