Well I was finally ready to play the game, but for some reason my joystick won't calibrate properly. When I try to calibrate it at the start of the game, it doesn't recognize my joystick buttons. I can only use the buttons on the mouse. Then when I start the game, my ship just spins all over the place.

I know the game is at least partially recognizing my joystick, since the trigger button does fire my laser cannons in flight, but I can't find a way to make it work on the calibration section. Anyone know what the problem is?

I'm using a Logitech ATK3

http://support.logitech.com/product/attack-3-joystick

This joystick has worked with several other games I got from gog.com without any problems.

There are some DOSBox settings you can try (you are running one of the DOS versions, correct?). Check the video posted here:

http://www.gog.com/forum/star_wars_tie_fighter_special_edition/tie_fighter_collectors_cd_tweak_guide_better_graphics_general_midi_cpu_speed_joystick_hat/post1

Yes it's the 1995 version of the game. Would changing the joystick setting really help with calibration issues?

I'm not sure.. usually the joystick problems involve jerky movement, rather than the behavior you describe. But it's worth a shot. Specifically the "timed" and "joysticktype" settings.

Oh, one more thing you can try: there was a joystick patch released for the original 1995 game that might help, check this post:

http://www.gog.com/forum/star_wars_tie_fighter_special_edition/joystick_not_recognized_in_95_tie_fighter/post5

Well I was able to fix the problem. Although the stick still does not calibrate properly at the start of the game, I was able to calibrate it in a mission by hitting alt-c. For some reason, it does recognize my stick when I calibrate it at this point.

Thanks a lot. The thread you linked too had the solution. Now I can finally play this game for the first time in 20 years.

Awesome, glad you got it working!