[HOW TO] Use Xbox 360 controller as mouse in Xubuntu

With the help of xboxdrv, the Userspace Xbox USB Gamepad Driver for Linux, the Xbox 360 controller can be used in Xubuntu as a mouse.

Install

Open a terminal window and run:

sudo apt-get install xboxdrv -y

Usage

Open a terminal window and run:

sudo rmmod xpad
sudo xboxdrv --mouse

Running the last command will make the Xbox 360 Controller produce the following key events:

  • LS (move): move mouse cursor
  • LS (click): backspace
  • LS (move): mouse scroll
  • RS (click): space
  • D-Pad: up/down/left/right
  • Reset: Alt+Left
  • Start: Alt+Right
  • LB: PageUp
  • LT: VolumeDown
  • RB: PageDown
  • RT: VolumeUp
  • Y: enter
  • A: mouse left-click
  • B: mouse right-click
  • X: mouse middle-click

Note: This also works for the original Xbox controller, however I didn't have the chance to test and register the event mapping.

References

Userspace Xbox/Xbox360 USB Gamepad Driver for Linux

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    I am getting an error saying that the xpad module does not exist and cannot figure out how to fix it. Any ideas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosJuly 7, 2012 at 8:56 AM

      If the error happens when running the first command (rmmod) don't worry. I just added this command because xboxdrv would complain if the xpad module was loaded.
      Just run the second command (xbox-controller) and it should work :)

      Delete
  2. daveSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    ive tried to run command and it asks for my password but it wont let me type ive tried copy and pasting but couldnt either would appreciate any help thanx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosSeptember 14, 2012 at 10:26 PM

      You could try becoming root, prior to running the commands, using: sudo -s

      Delete
    2. Logan SmithDecember 3, 2017 at 4:22 AM

      Linux console hides the password, you are typing but it does not show anything. <-- for future users with similar issue

      Delete
  3. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 4:31 PM

    I tried and it says "command not found" (xbox controller)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosSeptember 21, 2012 at 4:48 PM

      I'm so sorry. Actually there was a mistake: it's xboxdrv and not xbox-controller.

      xbox-controller is a shell script that I wrote to include the two commands (rmmod and xboxdrv) and not having to type them everytime.

      Again, I apologize for the mistake.

      Delete
    2. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 5:19 PM

      Ok thankyou:)

      Delete
    3. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 5:22 PM

      ok i recieved the following error

      -- [ ERROR ] ------------------------------------------------------
      Error couldn't claim the USB interface: LIBUSB_ERROR_BUSY
      Try to run 'rmmod xpad' and then xboxdrv again or start xboxdrv with the option --detach-kernel-driver.

      Delete
    4. Wilson SantosSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:08 PM

      Just to be sure, confirm that you have run the command "sudo rmmod xpad" prior to running "sudo xboxdrv --mouse"

      Delete
  4. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    Ok i got it figured out, but is there a way i can remap?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:47 PM

      I don't how to remap the buttons globally, but I'll investigate on that. I did the remapping in the application where I used the controller.

      Delete
    2. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 8:39 PM

      Ok thanks i wold be extremely greatful:D

      Delete
    3. Wilson SantosNovember 27, 2012 at 1:52 PM

      Here's how to remap: http://goo.gl/7rFsb

      Delete
  5. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    It was working but i closed the terminal and tried it again and it gave me this... "Module xpad does not exist in /proc/modules"
    Dont know how to fix this...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:36 PM

      You only need to run rmmod once per session. When you reboot you must run it again before xboxdrv. Then you can run xboxdrv as mamy times as you want.

      Also, if you close the terminal where xboxdrv is running, the controller will stop working as a mouse.

      Delete
  6. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 28, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    How to write the script to automatically start controller with system to use it as a --mouse ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosApril 29, 2013 at 1:07 AM

      To answer this i'll point you to this guide available at nixCraft. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

      Delete
    2. Wilson SantosApril 29, 2013 at 1:09 AM

      Here's the guide: http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/linux-how-to-run-a-command-when-boots-up.html

      Delete
  8. AJenboOctober 27, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    Thanks i hope this will solve my problem while i wait for a new mouse

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 19, 2015 at 2:20 AM

    hi, sorry for bothering, please help

    when i write sudo rmmod xpad i ged

    root@eduardo-HP-Mini-110-1100:~# sudo rmmod xpad
    rmmod: ERROR: Module xpad is not currently loaded








    then, when I write sudo xboxdrv --mouse i get

    root@eduardo-HP-Mini-110-1100:~# sudo xboxdrv --mouse
    xboxdrv 0.8.5 - http://pingus.seul.org/~grumbel/xboxdrv/
    Copyright © 2008-2011 Ingo Ruhnke
    Licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later
    This program comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
    This is free software, and you are welcome to redistribute it under certain
    conditions; see the file COPYING for details.

    Controller: Microsoft Xbox 360 Play&Charge Kit
    Vendor/Product: 045e:028f
    USB Path: 005:008
    Controller Type: Xbox360 Play&Charge

    -- [ ERROR ] ------------------------------------------------------
    The Xbox360 Play&Charge cable is for recharging only, it does not transmit data, thus xboxdrv can't support it. You have to get a wireless receiver:

    * http://www.xbox.com/en-ca/hardware/x/xbox360wirelessgamingreceiver/
    -------

    help please, and thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosMarch 19, 2015 at 2:25 AM

      It's OK for the rmmod command to fail.
      However, it seems that the controller you're using is a wireless controller, not an usb controller, so it won't work.

      Delete
  10. Brena IsabeliNovember 25, 2016 at 12:08 AM

    helo Wilson,
    it worked well here, thank you! However, when I close the terminal, the controller stops. Is this normal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wilson SantosNovember 25, 2016 at 1:04 AM

      Yes it is. It stops because the xboxdrv is killed when the terminal is closed.
      If you want to keep xboxdrv running and close the terminal first run: sudo -s
      Now run: nohup xboxdrv --mouse &

      Close the terminal

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

[FIX] VLC is unable to open the MRL (smb://)

Image
When I tried to open remote video files with VLC via a Samba share I got this error message: Your input can't be opened: VLC is unable to open the MRL 'smb://...' It seems that this problem is related to credentials and can be fixed by entering the credentials for the Samba share in the VLC preferences (Tools > Preferences > Input / Codecs > Access Modules > SMB Input): Note: I only experienced this problem when accessing remote files with PCManFM. Related Posts Install PCManFM in Xubuntu Add support for Samba shares to Thunar References VLC with Samba shares at Kubuntu Forums
Read more

Add items to Xfce Applications Menu

To add an application launcher to Xfce Applications Menu is simple; all you have to do is place the *.desktop file that launches the application in the right folder. Create the *.desktop file Create a text file whose extension is 'desktop', with the following content: [Desktop Entry] Version=1.0 Type=Application Name= ItemName Exec= Command Icon= IconFile Categories= Category ; On ItemName write the name that should be displayed on the menu. Command  is the command that should be run. IconFile is the path to some *.png file. The Category dictates the sub-menu where the item will be placed. See the table bellow to see what Category value you should use. Sub-Menu Categories Accessories Utility Development Development Games Game Graphics Graphics Internet Network Multimedia AudioVideo Office Office System System A new item can be placed on a sub-menu by selecting the right 'Catego...
Read more