MS XB360 Wireless Controller for Windows ... can't connect to 360?

[GM80]

So I was in Best Buy yesterday, and noticed that the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows (red box, stocked in PC area) was $39.99, while the one marketed for just the Xbox 360 (green box, stocked in gaming area) was $49.99. Since the Windows version was $10 cheaper AND includes a USB wireless receiver for PC use, I figured I'd just get that one. After all, I thought the whole idea was that it works both with PCs AND the Xbox 360.

So I get home and decide to connect it to my 360 right away. I plug in a fully charged Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack that I had on the shelf and hit the Guide button. Nothing. No lights, nothing.

So I try using the AA Battery Pack it came with. There's some lights now, but it won't connect. Yes, I know how to sync controllers to the console ... but it just won't do it. It was about midnight already, so I just left it and went to bed.

I assumed the hardware would be identical between the two, but this "PC version" doesn't seem to support the Rechargeable Battery Pack, nor does it want to connect directly to my Xbox 360.

Do I have to set up a Windows connection and "activate it" first? Will it connect to the 360 then? The Battery part really gets me, because that seems like a hardware issue although the contacts are still there for the Rechargeable Pack.

[Scawt]

They should be exactly the same, and I'm not sure why it wouldn't connect. Try getting it to work on the PC. If it doesn't, could be a defective controller. If it does, then turn it down and try it again on the 360.

[SegaAges]

Try connecting it to your pc first dude. I got a 360 wired controller for windows and it works like a charm in my 360

[Oobgarm]

The package says DUAL PLATFORM, so there's no reason why it shouldn't.

Lots of people came in looking for that deal on Sunday, and we've not had any returned, so I dunno.

[coreys429]

You could blow the connectors and try again...:bday:

[GM80]

Just an update: I installed the software and USB receiver on my PC today. The controller connected to the PC without any problems.

After that, I took it back to the 360 and tried pairing them again. It worked! Furthermore, I switched to the Rechargeable Battery Pack and it worked, too!

I guess you have to set up the controller once with a PC before using it with the 360. That would only seem possible if there is some firmware difference between this and the normal version, though. Weird.

[Skelix]

I'm pretty sure they're identical to normal controllers, I have one and it works on either no problem. Can't remember which one I synced it to first though.

Also have a white one came with 360, and the "PC" one pop battery compartments and they both say "Xbox 360 Wireless Controller.. for use with Xbox 360 Console".

The only thing different is the USB thingie, although I have not synced any other controllers to the USB might try that later.

[ProgrammingAce]

FunFact: there have been firmware updates to the controllers over the years. Maybe this one needed an update before the 360 could communicate