How to get PS3 gamepad/controller to work with iMac?

Question

Level 1

30 points

How to get PS3 gamepad/controller to work with iMac?

Objective: I want to get my PS3 gamepad/controller to work on my iMac to play Halo 1.5.3.

Problem: With my PS3 gamepad/controller connected to my iMac via USB, I display "About This Mac" and click "More Options". I then click "USB" under "Hardware". The PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller is registered as Version: 1.00, Bus Power (mA): 500, Speed: Up to 12 Mb/sec, Manufacturer: Sony, Product ID: 0x0268 and Vender ID: 0x054c.

Then I start Halo 1.5.3. The Halo Graphics Settings Window is displayed. Under USB Device Calibration the PLAYSTATION(R) 3 Controller is displayed. I click "Calibrate" and the PLAYSTATION(R) 3 Window is displayed. I click "Begin" and nothing happens. Nothing is displayed for Axis 1 through 4 for Raw. The lights on the front of the PS3 gamepad/controller are off and pressing the "Start" button does nothing. All I can do at this point is Cancel.

Question: So, is there any way to get the PS3 gamepad/controller to work on an iMac? I've searched the Internet for drivers but nothing I have found has worked including the PS3Controller from Tattiebogle where development of the driver seems to have stopped.

Thanks in advance for your help

Jim

iMac DV, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1GB RAM

Posted on Aug 19, 2008 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 19, 2008 10:46 AM in response to James Minor

You posted in the wrong forum. This area is for G5 iMacs. Your system info confirms you have a G3 (CRT) iMac. Therefore, you will need to re-post over in the iMac (CRT) Forums and/or contact Sony's tech support website.

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Answer 2

James Minor Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 19, 2008 7:26 PM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Thanks for the info Baby Boomer.

The specs on my iMac 20" Display, 1GB RAM is Machine Name: iMac G5, PowerPC G5 (3.0) according to the information from "About this Mac". Am I still in the wrong forum?

My question puts me in the old "Pass the Buck" loop. Apple says go to Sony. Sony says go to the makers of Halo. Halo says go to Apple. Just where does the buck stop?

Thanks.

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Answer 3

James Minor Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 19, 2008 8:37 PM in response to James Minor

I updated my profile to indicate I have an iMac G5. My mistake.

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Answer 4

Aug 20, 2008 12:50 PM in response to James Minor

Thanks for correcting your system info preferences.

"Just where does the buck stop?"

Since you are trying to get a PS3 gamepad/controller to work with an iMac, you really need to seek help from Sony. I would suggest that you do a Google search for some sort of PS3 message board/forums/chat rooms which has a Mac section. If no Mac section then post providing all your Mac info. Hopefully, you will get responses from all the Mac gamers out there.

Sorry, I couldn't really help. My PS3 is hooked up to my PC which is far superior to any Mac when playing games.<---Personal opinion.

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Answer 5

Aug 20, 2008 4:05 PM in response to James Minor

Just thought of a few other things.........

Check Sony's website to see if you need to download any updated gamepad/controller drivers.

You can also install USB Overdrive. This piece of software is great in getting gamepads/controllers to work.

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Answer 6

James Minor Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 21, 2008 12:19 AM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Thanks for your help Baby Boomer. I assume, maybe incorrectly, that your name Baby Boomer infers the time period in which you were born. Me too in 1942 at the beginning of the boom.

I posted a message on the PS3 Lounge Message Board and did not get any help - and some remarks were rather crude ... so I emailed a complaint to the Message Board Administrator about the poster with snotty remarks.

I have decided to go in a different direction after reading some posts on the MacRumors Board. The poster said that the Logitech Rumblepad II works great with Halo on his iMac so I've decided to invest in a new gamepad. It is not all that expensive. So - I guess this is the last place I looked and now I have the answer I need, not the one I wanted - but isn't this the way life works? Will be getting the Rumblepad II in the next few weeks. After trying it out with Halo I'll post here how it worked.

Thanks again and all best to you. Time to freeze some sugar snap peas for these long winters in Montana.

Message was edited by: James Minor

Message was edited by: James Minor

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Answer 7

James Minor Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 21, 2008 12:20 AM in response to James Minor

This is just to say my question has been answered. I tried to edit the former message and mark it as question answered but for whatever reason it did save my change.

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Answer 8

Aug 21, 2008 12:19 PM in response to James Minor

Hope the Logitech Rumblepad II works out for you which I am sure it will. Logitech makes great products for Macs.

Expect snotty remarks from a windows message board. 😉 Glad you complained to the webmaster.

You actually have 15-30 minutes to edit a post after initially posting. It may be closer to 15 minutes.

Yes, I was born around the time of the Boomer generation beginnings.

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Answer 9

MGW

Level 7

27,041 points

Aug 21, 2008 12:31 PM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

It's actually 15 minutes 😉

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Answer 10

James Minor Author

Level 1

30 points

Sep 11, 2008 8:26 PM in response to MGW

Got my Logitech Rumblepad II today. It works on my iMac G5 with Halo. So my problem is solved. Thanks all !!!

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