The joystick CAME with Drivers. MS *USED* to have drivers on their site for downloading. When I got mine out of storage, it kind of worked once - then stopped. Stuck it in another computer.. it worked a few times (control panel). Part of the issue is the static charge problems... remember, when this joystick came out - USB for PC was very new.
I located and installed the drivers, the SW joystick ALWAYS works.
Use google. Its SO @(*#$ stupid that MS doesn't have the drivers on THEIR own site for this joystick... when they have it for Win 95/98. "Just use the included drivers in XP" they say.. blah.
Its truly piss-poor of MS to NOT have any info on their PAST products.
You need: Microsoft Sidewinder Precision 2 Controller 4.0 software
This site has it... it sucks, but they have it:
http://members.driverguide.com/drive...riverid=128223
And for Windows7/Vista... even worse.

Since Windows7 is looking good and there isn't a joystick on the market that I think is a suitable replacement.