I've already tried uninstalling the drivers, deleting random things from device manager, restarting the laptop, threatening the controller with a gun to it's head, old ancient tribal dances to the gods, sacrificing a goat, telling the controller I'd get it ice cream if it worked, and all that fun stuff.
I've had this piece of junk for years now hoping one day it'd actually work.
When I just plug it in the USB port and let Windows get drivers, it works minus the vibration. I figured this time if I installed the drivers from the disk, that since getting the gamepad all those years ago Windows or Gemini Industries would finally have new drivers that would auto update for the vibration to actually work. Not just the vibration, but the overall performance.
Well as usual, now it's just crashing when I test it. I installed FFXI to play on this laptop, and after installing the drivers from the disk it just crashes the game's config screen now.
The only things I've found on this controller online are two reviews claiming how horrible it is, and drivers that link to the official site... Of course, the site is down. I'm guessing these people went out of business after putting this product out.
So if no one can help me here, I'm just gonna smash it in my driveway and forget FFXI ever existed for PC, because that game's like playing tennis with a toothpick when you're using mouse/keyboard.

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic