My mouse just stopped working

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

My mouse just stopped working while I was reading a thread.

I've unplugged it and plugged it in several times, to no effect. I've rebooted, to no effect. I'm using the touchpad (and finding it awkward) at the moment.

How can I tell whether it's the physical mouse that's gone or if there's some kind of software problem, or some connection problem inside the laptop? Anyone any ideas?

MG

[Cliff Englewood]

If your're using XP, check your hardware listed in Device Manager, you should see a pointing device listed, also try reinstalling the drivers for the device itself.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

If your're using XP, check your hardware listed in Device Manager, you should see a pointing device listed, also try reinstalling the drivers for the device itself.

Thanks. It tells me I've only got the touchpad connected. The help system doesn't tell me how to reinstall the mouse driver. How do I do that?

MG

[porcy62]

First you have to clean it. Sometimes the ball inside the mouse is blocked by dirt. If you have an optical mouse clean the lense. And if you use Windows you have to reinstall the driver too or...buy a Mac.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

First you have to clean it. Sometimes the ball inside the mouse is blocked by dirt. If you have an optical mouse clean the lense. And if you use Windows you have to reinstall the driver too or...buy a Mac.

Yes, I've cleaned it. No result, though there was a bunch of dust inside

But I don't know how to reinstall the driver.

MG

[7/4]

Try restarting your machine.

[Van Basten II]

Threaten it with that

Edited September 2, 2007 by Van Basten II

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Try restarting your machine.

Done that, got the t-shirt.

MG

[alocispepraluger102]

next time, get one without a ball. they last for years and dont get dirty and are quite inexpensive.

we all hope it's not the computer, which was the case for aloc a couple months ago. he had to reinstall xp.

Edited September 2, 2007 by alocispepraluger102

[MoGrubb]

<>

[J.A.W.]

we all hope it's not the computer, which was the case for aloc a couple months ago. he had to reinstall xp.

Are you always talking about yourself in the third person?

(Sorry MG, couldn't resist...)

Edited September 2, 2007 by J.A.W.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

we all hope it's not the computer, which was the case for aloc a couple months ago. he had to reinstall xp.

Are you always talking about yourself in the third person?

(Sorry MG, couldn't resist...)

Someone of us is

MG

[alocispepraluger102]

we all hope it's not the computer, which was the case for aloc a couple months ago. he had to reinstall xp.

Are you always talking about yourself in the third person?

(Sorry MG, couldn't resist...)

Someone of us is

MG

i always talk of myself in 3rd person.

[Cliff Englewood]

Is it a usb or serial mouse?

[7/4]

could be spyware causing a problem.

[JSngry]

Sometimes you just gotta buy a new mouse.

[MoGrubb]

....i always talk of myself in 3rd person.

Does alocispepraluger102 or whoever answer in 1st person?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Is it a usb or serial mouse?

I think it's a serial mouse. It doesn't connect to a USB port, just a little round socket with lots of holes in it.

MG

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Sometimes you just gotta buy a new mouse.

Probably, but it's Sunday and the computer shop here doesn't open until Monday

And maybe it's not the mouse but something else.

MG

[porcy62]

Is it a usb or serial mouse?

I think it's a serial mouse. It doesn't connect to a USB port, just a little round socket with lots of holes in it.

MG

If you have to replace it, my suggestion is that you buy one of the new Logitech wireless mouses. They whorth every penny. When you will accustomed to them, you'll discovered how useful, ergonomic and accurate they are.

[sidewinder]

buy one of the new Logitech wireless mouses.

Good suggestion.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

My mouse just stopped working while I was reading a thread.

Do you owe it back wages?

I don't even owe it front wages!

MG

[Cliff Englewood]

It's a serial mouse, and unless the pins are bent or broken, it's kinda difficult to do any problem determination, but at the top of Device Manager will be your PCs name, unplug the mouse, right click the PCs name and select scan for hardware changes, let it do it's thing, plug the mouse back in and right click and select scan for hardware changes, it should pick it up that way or else you may have a more serious problem with the PC.