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The Kitchen Table

Computer Question - mouse

13 years ago

My Mom called and she can't get her computer to read her mouse. Being the computer genius that I am, I asked my DH and DS and neither of them knew either. She has tried moving it to a different port, unplugging it and turning the computer off, plugging it back in and turning it back on - still nothing. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks for any and all help.

Janet

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Comments (11)

dotmom
13 years ago
Sorry, I'm not very computer savvy, but when I got my new laptop, it had the touch-pad, I used that for quite a while, but then got a wireless mouse, and even
"I" could hook that up. Love it! Maybe there is something wrong with your Mom's mouse and could try a wireless one. Mine only cost abt $10. at Walmart.
golfergrrl
13 years ago
You don't say what kind of mouse it is, so I'll take some guesses.
Reinstall it. It might have come with a software disc.
It's dirty.
An optical mouse won't read well on a white mousepad.
It's dead. Buy a new one, they're cheap enough.
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I have started having some very strange problems with mine. I have 3 computers hooked up to one KVM switch so I only have one monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers for all. My mouse is a wireless usb, my keyboard is older hp keyboard with a ps2 to usb adapter which plugs into my usb slot of the KVM switch. I can start up my hp xp computer and everything works fine, just as it should, my other computers, linux and new xp pc all work fine. The problem comes when I switch from my HP xp pc to one of the others on the kvm then switch back to the HP xp, then my mouse is locked up and at times so is my keyboard, my computer is on and working fine but I have no control, I tried unplugging the usb mouse and the usb keyboard but that now does not help, it seems as if there is no power to them. And the strangest part is I got my old ps2 mouse out and tried plugging it directly into the back of my HP xp machine and that did not work either, nor did plugging my ps2 keyboard directly into the ps2 plugin on the back of the pc. I have to do a hard shutdown of the HP xp machine to gain back my full control then all is fine. I do not have that problem on either of the other 2 pcs that are connected to the kvm switch. I have been going nuts trying to troubleshoot this and figure out what the heck is causing it. So if any of you have any thoughts or ideas on what to try please let me know I am willing to try anything just about at this point. I did just plug in a new keyboard which I had available, it is ps2 also so I have the usb adapter on it plugged into the usb slot on the KVM switch and still have the usb wireless mouse. I am on my linux pc now and everything works perfectly. I may try a system restore to before these issues started, it seems there are a few other settings that are different on my HP machine that happened about the same time but who knows if that is related. At this point I am just leaving it shut down till I need to access it then I boot it up do what I need and shut it down again. A pain! I do not know much about electricals and that sorta seems like what this maybe. I also considered if my usb card has gone wacky in my pc and is not providing good power to the kvm switch. Anyone??? got any ideas?
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country_sunshine
13 years ago
Buy an new one, it sounds like it died. I just had to buy a new one the other day.. you can get one pretty cheap at WalMart..
monica_pa Grieves
13 years ago
A few months ago, I bought the latest wireless mouse from Microsoft. All you have to do is leave the little transmitter in a USB slot, and it works fabulous - an any and all surfaces.
I've had several wireless and USB mice that, over time, killed my USB ports from constant plugging and unplugging. Also, the older infrared ones didn't like pale or shiny surfaces...this one will work on glass!
aggiewife
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everybody. I'm heading to her house now so I'll stop and get a new one on the way and try it, probably wireless and the other and she can see which she likes better.

She is going nuts with no computer.

Thanks again.
hgl_gaylemarie
13 years ago
Don't forget it takes batteries. LOL!
sjerin
13 years ago
Yup, it's probably the batteries. Turn it over and see if the little light is on. (I'm assuming it's a desktop computer with a wireless mouse.)
socks
13 years ago
Well, did she turn the computer off and restart it? That ususally does the trick for me.
cynic
13 years ago
With a reboot, change of port and the like that suggests it's the mouse itself. If it's a wireless mouse, it might need new batteries. My experience with wireless ones is that batteries need to be fresh and they don't last long anyway so be sure you get new, fresh batteries - don't try pulling them from the remote control or a clock on the wall... I don't like wireless ones for these reasons.

It's a good idea to have an extra mouse anyway. And I'd suggest trying a different mouse. You shouldn't have to install new software with a current operating system unless you're using some special features. It will automatically detect and set it up for you.

The other thing that has not been mentioned is whether she's scanned for malware lately. This is one classic symptom of a malware issue but this symptom can be caused by a variety of issues. Good luck!
golfergrrl
13 years ago
I'd suggest a wireed optical mouse.
You can use your computer without a mouse. The arrow keys will get you around.
aggiewife
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks again everyone. I got the optical mouse working and then had to hook up a new internet modem. By the time I finished all that, the mouse wouldn't work again. So we pulled out the wireless one, put the little stick in the usb and put the battery in and it would acknowledge that it was there but wouldn't move the cursor. It helps to put the battery in the right way! :o) Now I think I need one for my house, it is pretty cool.

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