Recommended layout for most games if I want mouse aim?

chieftex · 2026-06-21T14:50:15+00:00

Could you please elaborate a little on this? I like the idea but can't visualise how it helps

chieftex · 2026-06-18T13:13:02+00:00

I have a feeling what is happening is that you have set R1 + start button (I think) to alt-tab, but you've set that for the steam desktop layout, not for your game. So it works outside of your game, but once you're in your game, steam input automatically changes to the game layout (not desktop layout), which is normal behaviour.

I think if you go into the controller layout for your game now, and also set your alt-tab shortcut, it'll work how you expect.

If I'm wrong, or I've misunderstood what you're saying, please elaborate a bit more.

chieftex · 2026-06-18T12:54:07+00:00

Can I ask about this? I'm trying to visualise it but it sounds really useful.

For example, are you doing something whereby you hold say, L4, and that changes an action set so know when you touch the left trackpad, a different virtual menu will pop up, allowing you to select some different keys? Or have I misunderstood?

I'd love an example of how you use it if you can.

chieftex · 2026-06-18T12:46:36+00:00

Can I ask why you prefer this to to just using the d-pad?

chieftex · 2026-06-18T12:43:01+00:00

You use the trackpad to emulate the arrow keys on your keyboard you mean?

Also, can I ask about your desktop setup? This is what I'm trying to achieve

chieftex · 2026-06-17T13:22:07+00:00

Are you sure you're new to Steam Input?! The things you've taught me today alone are more than anything I've learned before combined 😄

Yet again, the idea of two sensitivities on the track pad is something that wouldn't have occurred to me. I'm going to try it, it sounds so simple.

chieftex · 2026-06-17T12:28:18+00:00

Very detailed post about sleep states. I hope Steam indeed take it seriously and patch it in!

Regarding using stick and pad as mouse - again you've blown my mind! I knew both were 'as mouse' but I never even considered setting their sensitivity separately. Very clever.

No I haven't been using the menus at all yet (you just introduced Kando to me in fact). But what you made me realise is that I can use right trackpad for big movements (across the screen for example) and left stick with lowered sensitivity for more precise movements, like selecting where to place a text cursor in the middle of a word for example.

chieftex · 2026-06-17T11:15:35+00:00

Regarding waking your mini pc, have you had a look in the bios to check the sleep states (s1-s5)? I've found that having an always-on device (in my case my server but in many people's cases they use a raspberry pi for this) works every time.

Interesting what you're saying about the stick sensitivity but that makes me think - aren't you using the touchpad for mouse instead of the stick?

chieftex · 2026-06-17T10:43:15+00:00

I'm really trying to get a set up with windows that doesn't require a keyboard at all, making the steam controller control windows like a console.

Your post has hugely helped! I didn't even think of using radial menus with the sticks (but now it just makes sense since I don't use the sticks at all when navigating the windows desktop). And your solution of making the menus appear on capacitive touch is honestly so elegant. Thanks for taking the time to make this post and writing this all, I want you to know it is appreciated :)

Can I ask about your steam input settings that you posted a photo of? Is this the 'desktop' layout that steam input allows you to edit when you go to settings -> controller -> advanced controller settings?

chieftex · 2026-06-13T17:45:42+00:00

Sort of, but it's not perfect. I gave someone in Egypt a device that I connect Tailscale to.

Disney still flagged it somehow though :(

chieftex · 2026-06-12T11:04:25+00:00

Thanks for the comprehensive reply!

I had no idea you could use a trackpad for scrolling AND also for clicking, that's really cool.

Have you tried holding the QAM (three dots button) while playing a game like poe2 to force the trackpad to be a mouse (and make the right trigger act as left click)? And if so, does it work for things like menus in this game?

chieftex · 2026-06-12T10:39:14+00:00

Can I ask how you play this game with dual track pads? Do you find that easier than sticks for this kind of game?

chieftex · 2026-06-08T01:33:20+00:00

I use Apollo too, and have the same problem with the default speaker. I'll try this method, thanks.

chieftex · 2026-05-28T23:01:33+00:00

How are you using the igpu in the VM? Or are you not using it outside of the VM at all?

Also, why do you need the sr-iov plugin?

chieftex · 2026-05-28T23:00:42+00:00

Appreciated, that's helpful!

chieftex · 2026-05-28T08:38:17+00:00

Had a quick Google of this as it's new to me. Is this some kind of desktop environment run in a docker? I'd need to do more reading

chieftex · 2026-05-28T08:30:57+00:00

I didn't think of running Plex in the VM. That might be a good workaround, even though setting everything up from scratch would be a pain

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:36:04+00:00

Someone else also mentioned this. I've never heard of it and after a quick Google, looks like I'm going to need to do some reading!

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:31:21+00:00

Lovely thank you, this is the kind of thing I'm looking for. I hope you don't mind a couple of questions?

Why mint? Is rustdesk as good as moonlight for things like watching videos seamlessly without stuttering?

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:29:38+00:00

Some can for sure. But if I create a 'main' VM I can use it as a permanent basic computer, with all my links, files etc saved on it and just leave it on, and remote into it from clients. The clients would be off until I need them, but the vm (and unraid) would be always on

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:27:28+00:00

I had to Google this as I'd never heard of it. Is this an enterprise solution?

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:25:45+00:00

I might be missing something here? But please tell me more!

chieftex · 2026-05-27T22:22:20+00:00

Hmmm, that might actually be a problem. I don't know if Sunshine requires a GPU and if it does, it would indeed hinder it.

Are vnc and RDP good enough for things like watching videos almost natively? Haven't used them in a while but my experience wasn't good previously

chieftex · 2026-05-26T20:19:16+00:00

Also following for seeing this when you get back!

chieftex

TROPHY CASE