problem with controllers

[bahama llama]

My son has a compaq presario 5020 and it has an integrated sound card with the joysick port on the front. The problem is we can't get his gamepads to work. we've tried several including microsoft and still no luck. the games and controllers work fine on my computer but not his. I've checked the connector ribbon and it has a firm seat but it still does not work. Could it be a bad ribbon cable(inside computer)? Any help is appreciated.

[Barney]

Sounds stupid, but have you installed the drivers for the gamepads?

Ronald

[bahama llama]

Yep all drivers installed. they work for maybe a minute and then nothing. this is also after a clean install of windows me. thanks for the reply. don.