I have a Dell XPS 400 computer (2005) and recently purchased a Logitech Attack 3 joystick. I plugged it in and my computer recognizes the new hardware and successfully
Installed. I did the calibration test and it works. I installed different flight games and
The mouse/keyboard functions work... but not the joystick.
Same holds true when I installed a wired xbox 360 controller... which should work since I have Microsoft OS.

Make sure that all the necessary drivers are installed...

Check in the game to switch from keyboard to joystick controls.