Very strange input/control problem affecting PC games

[Alyeska]

I have a most unusual problem that is affecting my input or controls in a select few PC games. The problem manifests itself as a constant unstoppable left turn. At first I thought this was a problem limited solely to one game. Then it started in a second, both Games for Windows Live. I have recently installed Dead Space and this problem appeared immediately.

This problem does not affect all games. I have played Fallout 3 without trouble. Mass Effect still works. So far I have confirmed the problem with Gears of War, Grand Theft Auto 4, and Dead Space.

Three different games, three different publishers, one not even Games for Windows or Live enabled.

The suggestions I have had so far involve checking for some other control of some sort being stuck such as a joystick or controller. When the problem first appeared with Gears of War (first game affected) I only had a mouse and keyboard plugged in and every other game still functioned perfectly. Checking my joystick properties right now indicates no constant left turn.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling an affected game into a new hard drive, no change. I tried reinstalling Games for Windows Live (before I found Dead Space affected) and still no change.

So I have a question. What could cause a constant left turn artifact that does not involve any control device and only affects certain games? Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting?

[Losonti Tokash]

Have you tried updating your mouse/keyboard drivers?

[Alyeska]

Well I unplugged the joystick and changed mice. Dead Space started working. Now testing old mouse with Gears of War, no joystick plugged in.

[Alyeska]

Son of a gun. The joystick was somehow causing input interference. When GTA4 updated it must have done something that caused communication with the joystick and started the problem. Joystick removed, games work without a problem.

[Darwin]

Seems I'm too late, but, yeah. I'm not sure why, but some games (I think the Doom3 engine was the first I ran into it) will freak out when you have a joystick or rudder pedals plugged in.

[weemadando]

Yeah, it's quite common for a joystick, wheel or gamepad to freak-out your controls. Try unplugging them all. If that doesn't work go to the manufacturers site for each product - most should have a calibration deletion tool which might also remedy the issue.

[Alan Bolte]

I've found that this can happen even if you merely have a virtual joystick driver installed, but not active.

[Stark]

I'm a genius.

[Singular Intellect]

Yes, I had this exact problem with Need for Speed. Finally figured out it was my joystick, and after disablng it ingame the problem disappeared.