I don't think it can be locked (unlike, say, the X52), but my plan would be to reassign the rotation axis to the rudder pedals and live with it. Not really a solution...
Yes, it works just fine with Win 7, but the software that ships with the stick for programming the buttons etc doesn't so you only use the drivers that Win 7 ships with (not the stick's own) . Fortunately, both 1946 and CloD accept direct joystick inupts for control assignment so it's not desperate.
The Sidewinder 2 only has one hat switch. If you're talking about the X52 I think the hat switch is the top one, but as you can reassign them both it doesn't really matter. Is this for controlling the views?
Jabo