If you have an original Microsoft Force Feed back Sidewinder joy stick you have probably been in the dumps since XP came out with out support and Video cards stopped supporting joysticks. I was shocked when Microsoft stopped providing software for these great joysticks in the XP and Vista operating systems. Unlike newer joysticks, the Sidewinder was not Plug and Play and needed it's own software to be able to configure it. You can use this item to change it to plug into a usb but it will not work in XP or Vista on the Flight Simulator. Save your money and buy a new joystick. It will not not last as long as the rugged Sidewinder but it will work out of the box. ( For only a year or less with regular use.) They do not make joysticks like they use too.