mouse problem

[number9]

I was called to help with a pc problem which consisted of no mouse being present when windows XP booted up. The pointer is shown in the middle of the screen but no operation is present.

My friend bought a Labtec ps2/usb mouse from Argos. I have tried this in the ps2 and usb ports and there's nothing detected. Other usb devices are detected (ie Epson printer). Plugging in the mouse after boot results in no detection by plug n play.

(Sometimes, and I mean only sometimes, the device is recognised as usb device followed by a "not working" error messasge (if plugged into the usb port))

Judging by other programs/hardware and general upkeep of the system, the pc seems to have been badly maintained as old defunct printers, a previous failed install of a wireless optical mouse/keyboard set, etc were present.

Device manager does not show any mouse entries or any conflicts present.

I have tried alternative mice to no avail - both ps2 and usb.

I have manged to uninstall the previous optical keyboard/mouse software and the additional printers but it is difficult to do much else without the mouse present!

I have searched the Microsoft knowledge Base and found http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;142405 which may be the answer.

Before I travel back to try out the registry changes suggested by the topic, are there any other changes or advice from readers that I should try also/first?

[greymalkin]

wipe it. why wade through problems the user has inherited from someone else only to still have a sub-standard system install?

In the time you've already spent troubleshooting it I bet you could have had a fresh load on it..am i right or am i right or am i right...am i right...right...right...

[number9]

maybe...

I really wanted to have to avoid backing-up this persons pc programs and files then reinstalling if poss.

[Faustus]

I think greymalkin has it right. Its gonna take a lot of time and trouble to track it down 9 times out of 10.

Besides he should have install CDs so you don't have to backup programs. Just his data, that shouldn't take but a few min. Then flatten, reinstall his apps, update, put the data back on. Shouldn't take more then an afternoon.

[InXess]

I know how it feels... could be either Windows issue or hardware problem (mainboard?). You may try resetting BIOS to default. Before wiping it though go to Safe Mode and remove all devices to be reenumerated. Gee, how about this: rereun windows setup from inside windows, this is always THE best cure for device issues (rebuilds P&P). This unfinished keyboard/mouse installation doesn't sound right. Could you finish it and then unload again?
If it fails go back to item 1.

Other then that I agree with previous posters troubleshooting these issues in forums like this... bad idea. The flipside is that you may get some promising hints... At least you did your homework, unlike some...

[jimmalenko]

Any chance it's something to do with USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 and perhaps the mouse is USB 2.0 only or something ?

Does the mouse work on other PCs ?

[number9]

thanks folks. don't think it's a mouse problem - I've interchanged a couple of working devices.

I'll try a reinstall (repair) and if this doesn't work a full installation. Backing up everything of course!

[thecoalman]

There's a selection in the BIOS, at least on my computer, for enabling USB support for the mouse and the keyboard. Right now it's diabled so maybe that is the default on most machines? I don't know but it's there, not sure how or if you can do it through windows.

On start up hit delete to enter the BIOS, at least on my computer, probably the same on every machine but I'm not sure.

[number9]

using forums = bad idea ? It's always useful to tap on large resources of other peoples ideas and to check if you've missed the bleeding obvious.

thanks everyone for your input. I think new install is the wisest option in view of this person's messy setup and poor housekeeping.

CHEERS!

[INFRATOM]

maybe there is a problem with PNP not the mouse. Does it detect anything else? The best bet as you said is to reformat check bios settings too for PNP

[wulf109]

Didn't the mouse you're trying come with and install disk? I know all Logitech mice come with an install disk. Installing the correct mouse software should correct the problem or it will at least report why it can't install.