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Converting a Steam Controller dongle into a SteamVR dongle

Another way to get more VR dongles if you have unused Steam Controller dongles laying around!

WARNING: Messing with firmwares can potentially result in bricks, be wary and double check your dongle is supported as per the requirements! Furthermore, please understand that this is not supported by SteamVR officially!

The author of this notes that they have been unable to reverse the process, so assume this is permanent!

The application flashes all dongles connected to the computer at once, so be sure you unplug any you do not want flashed!

Flashing a Steam Controller Dongle into a SteamVR Dongle

Guide isand files found are found here

(for

- backupRemove purposes,ALL theSteamVR linked repodongles, including the HMD.
- Exit Steam
- Plug in your Steam Controller Dongle to a USB.
- open a Command Prompt (cmd or power shell)
- Navigate to where SteamVR app is installed on your computer (default is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR)
  - Powershell CMD - `cd 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR'`
- Run the Command `tools\lighthouse\bin\win32\lighthouse_watchman_update.exe -D tools\lighthouse\firmware\vr_controller\archive\htc_vrc_dongle_1461100729_2016_04_19.bin`
- Restart Steam, plug your dongles in, close the command prompt/powershell and you should be good to go!

Reversing the Process

Step 1. Have SteamVR downloaded and installed, it's located in your Library under Tools.

Step 2. Open the folder it is installed in and open the tools folder and then open the lighthouse folder.
(for example, it could look something like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\tools\lighthouse )

Step 3. Close down Steam and unplug your VR headset USB and power (If you have one plugged in), and disconnect anything connected to your Steam Controller Wireless Receiver if you haven't done so already!

Step 4. Hold Shift and Right Click inside the folder on the empty space and click on "Open PowerShell window here". Windows Powershell should then show up as a blue window with the text "PS C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\tools\lighthouse>" so that it shows it has been opened inside the lighthouse folder.

Step 5. Copy this command below

bin\win32\lighthouse_watchman_update.exe -e firmware\vr_controller\archive\htc_vrc_dongle_1461100729_2016_04_19.bin

and inside Windows Powershell, Right Click to Paste it in.
It should now look like this:
PS C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SteamVR\tools\lighthouse> bin\win32\lighthouse_watchman_update.exe -e firmware\vr_controller\archive\htc_vrc_dongle_1461100729_2016_04_19.bin

Step 6. Press Enter and you will see Forcing rollback. on the dongle number.

When that's done, let windows configure the settings for "Boot ldr". (If you're flashing more than one, check your windows settings, Bluetooth & other devices, to see that they're all called Boot ldr.)

Step 7. Open steam and you'll now see that windows are configuring Steam Controller.

All done, you can now pair a steam controller by opening Steam Big Picture mode, go into Settings and Press Add Controller and follow the on screen instructions.

 

 

 

Source / Credits

The main guide is in the link, (docs are archived here, credit to "ykeara")

The reversal guide can be found here (backup here)

 

 

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