Gameport Rudders & XP

I have a Wingman Interceptor analog joystick & CH Pedals (both gameport).
This setup worked fine while I was using win98 on this very same computer.
I recently switched to XP and had problems getting the joystiick to work. I find sometimes it does work & others it doesn't.
The rudder pedals dont work at all. The check box in the control panel is greyed out. I have downloaded drivers from Logitech & CH, deleted & added the controllers but still no pedals. I find it almost impossible to fly now without my rudders.
Does anyone please have a fix?
I was told to get a gameport to USB converter, does anyone know if this will solve my problem?

Regards Dave