Hardware Diagnostics

FFB Probe

A standalone diagnostic tool for force-feedback joysticks. It reads what DirectInput or Linux evdev can see, runs guided feel tests where supported, and writes a return bundle we can use when adding hardware support or chasing driver crashes.

Windows probe ZIP Linux probe ZIP Support bundles
Windows: ffb-probe-1.0.0-beta.7-playretry8-win-x64.zip 76 MB SHA-256 c2ed50cbb1c3Linux: ffb-probe-1.0.0-beta.7-playretry8-linux-x64.zip 69 MB SHA-256 8241750d2fee
When To Use It

Run it when support asks for a hardware report.

The normal FFB-Bridge app already exports support bundles. The probe is for lower-level joystick questions: new device support, DirectInput or evdev capability mismatches, and native driver crashes.

New Hardware

Joystick support research

For devices like the Logitech G940, the probe gives us the DirectInput objects, axes, effect list, polarity, and guided feel-test notes without needing the hardware in our lab.

Driver Crashes

FFB2 / pid.dll investigations

If a Windows report points at pid.dll, CreateEffect, or effect-count limits, the probe runs risky measurements in a supervised worker process and keeps a breadcrumb log if the worker crashes.

No Account

Direct public download

The probe is not gated behind an email link. Download it, run it locally, and upload or send back the generated bundle only if you choose to.

How To Use It

Five minutes, guided prompts.

  1. Download the ZIP and extract it somewhere easy to find.
  2. Close flight sims and other joystick tools before running it.
  3. Launch ffb-probe-gui for the simple interface, or ffb-probe for the console flow. Windows SmartScreen may show an unsigned-app warning; choose More info, then Run anyway.
  4. Follow the prompts. Keep one hand on the stick during force tests.
  5. Choose whether to upload the generated *-bundle.zip directly, or keep it local and send it later.

What the bundle contains

  • Plain-text and HTML reports.
  • Structured JSON for comparing hardware across testers.
  • DirectInput or evdev capability, object, and effect summaries.
  • Breadcrumb logs from the worker process.
  • Your answers to the guided feel tests.

It does not upload anything unless you choose the upload option, and it does not need the main FFB-Bridge app to be installed.

Safety

Small tool, real forces.

The probe can command force-feedback effects. The prompts are designed to be brief and controlled, but the stick may move.

Use a clear desk. Keep the stick base stable and keep loose objects away.
Stop if it feels wrong. Close the window or press Ctrl+C in the console.
Windows and Linux. Windows uses DirectInput; Linux uses evdev/sysfs diagnostics.

Ready to capture a report?

Download the probe, run it locally, and upload or send back the bundle when you are done.

Download Windows Probe ZIP Download Linux Probe ZIP Open feedback form