desperate for help with gamepad

I have tried everything I know, but I am having no luck
at all trying to connect a USB gamepad. I am on my 3rd
one, and I am getting tired of returning hardware that
says clearly on the package, "compatable with Windows
XP!". I have tried a Logitech, a Gemini, and now a Game
Elements, all which claim compatibility with XP. The
problem is not my USB because I have a USB mouse and PDA
dock. 2 of the 3 gamepads are on the "Microsoft XP
Hardware Compatability List". I have tried installing
each gamepad's respective software the convential way,
through the hardware wizard, through the driver update in
the device manager... nothing works. I am talking about
a dual-analog joystick 10 button gamepad, exactly the
same as the Playstation 2 has. Is this too dificult a
request from XP? Has anyone else had the same problem?
Do I have any options? Does anyone else have the same
type of gamepad as I am looking for and succesfully
operate it on XP? Anyone who has pity on me and would
like to help, I would be eternally grateful to. Thanks
in advance.