How to Convert Old Xbox Controllers into PC Gamepads

Anyone that's ever used console emulation software knows how much they wish they had the original controller and a way to interface it with the computer. Even just average PC games come to life with the use of a Gamerpad. Now there's no need to worry! Everything you need for your own cheap, reliable controller to be used for all of these purposes are right here included in this article.

Here's what you will need before you begin: Xbox Controller, wire cutter/stripper, rosin core solder, soldering iron (>45 watt), shrink wrap, a spare USB cable and the XBCD software driver from redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html#download

The first step is to start off by finding an old xbox controller lying around the house, bonus points if you can find a wired xbox 360 controller as you will save yourself some time consuming cutting, soldering and shrink-wrapping as the 360 controllers end their connection wires in a very PC-friendly USB connector. Ok now, anyways, assuming you are working with an old-school xbox controller you are going to have to to butcher it... just a bit!

Start by cutting the connector off of the end of the dongle, in which manner you avoid destroying the controller and would only have to replace the dongle to make it xbox compatible once more (a 4$ part). This exposes four wires which are directly compatible to the USB format of connectivity.

The four wires are color coded by specific function: Vbus (which applies the positive voltage into the system "+power"), Data(negative) signal carrier, Data(positive) signal carrier, and of course one common Ground wire for all connections maintained inside of the controller.

These are the wires which will be needed to be matched up to the Xbox controller by way of your USB wire, which you are going to cut in half so that you have the useful male USB adapter end with which to work with. All that is left to do is to match up the electrical connections as per the diagram (see image file) with the most important connections not to install backward being +power and the Ground. Observe polarity on the signal cables as well!

After the connections are twisted together and tested to work properly, untwist each connection and slide a piece of shrinkwrap over the wire connection, slid down to allow soldering. Solder the connections carefully and skillfully, and then shrinkwrap the connections together with the tubing which is already installed on the wire.

Cover the connections with a few wraps of electrical tape for structural stability and the Xbox controller is now ready for installation as a recognized USB gamepad by Microsoft! All that is left to do is the next few steps which must be followed in order, for the device to be installed and function properly.

Visit http://www.redcl0ud.com/xbcd.html#download in order to download the XBCD device driver from the producer's website. This is what allows windows to recognize the xbox controller as a USB gamepad device.

After installation, connect the usb modified Xbox controller to the USB port of the computer and Windows will automatically detect the Xbox controller as a XBCD USB gamepad.

Use keymapping software to tailor-fit the controller for any PC or Console Emulation softwares you might have need of which to use.