[JustWeave]

Here we go again. While I was on DS computer the other day the cursor froze and I couldn't get it to move even with a restart. Now when I turn of his computer I can't get it to move at all. I would run a some scans but I can't move the cursor. What can I computer idiot do before shelling out cash she doesn't have to get it fixed? The mouse is corded and doesn't have a battery. All connections are tight. Thanks.

[Jomar]

hmm ,
unplug the mouse and do a restart, then plug it in to see it it works after that?

try keyboard short cuts??
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449

if this just happened recently and a few reboots don't fix it you could do a system restore
or

remove the mouse driver and then reboot and let it reinstall the mouse hardware.

it is a optical mouse or a roller ball - it could be the mouse is dirty or broken...

[JustWeave]

Okay. I am trying to get the mouse working again. After the first (I think) unplug/ replug I got it to work for a few seconds before dying again. I have done that a few more times and it refuses to return to life. I took the mouse apart and cleaned all the gunk out of its inards and still it won't work. Couldn't believe the filth in there.

I'm going to look at the shortcuts page and see if I can figure out how to pull up the screens needed to get me to a troubleshooting page for the mouse. There has to be a way to do it but it will probably take this dummy all night to stumble my way there.

I looked for driver information and couldn't find anything. I forget if the mouse came with a disc or not. Didn't realize how much they have changed over the years. I think what I have is optical.

Maybe this would save me some headaches... I have the same model on an other computer. Could I just switch mice and see if I still have a problem somewhere? Don't laugh folks! I'm just the kind of person the for dummies and idiots series of books was written.

[mrsD]

yes, I would switch the mice.... if the 2nd one does the same thing, that points to your driver.

[JustWeave]

Ugh! I typed the last reply while the computer restarted. On a whim I decided to check the mouse before shutting down the computer and switching mice. It's alive! And for now at least working just fine. I fear it won't last. Any suggestions for what I should do the next time it acts up? Thanks for all your help.

[Jomar]

I could be just getting worn out, or a bad wire/connection inside of it.
maybe plan to get a new one and keep the iffy one for a spare.

*I hate when my mouse stops working LOL*
I have a few spares - some from thrift stores.
but they work - my fav is the logitec optical mouse.

[JustWeave]

When I opened up the mouse I did notice the cord was smashed pretty good at three places. Nothing appeared broken on the outside but I guess there could be some hidden damage.

DS was tinkering with the problem mouse and wonders if maybe someone else has control of it remotely. Is that possible? I always disable the remote connection option but hackers hack.

[Jomar]

did you try a different mouse- to see if there was the same problem with it?

If yours is optical it would have a red light in the bottom of it.
if it is a older style with a roller ball it would have a little ball with some metal contacts inside.

I've never opened up any of my optical ones, but the old roller balls used to get lots of junk inside. plus the metal contact parts can get gunked up too. you need something to clean those like rubbing alcohol on a Q tip or some other cleaner, whatever works and is not oily or greasy.

I don't know about the remote part, I do keep all that turned off.

[RobinM]

Mine does that every now and then. It is plugged into a 4 port hub and usually it means I have to put it into a different port.

Either that or the batteries are on their last legs!