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Now a problem with mouse driver



 
 
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  #21  
Old February 3rd 09, 05:31 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
glee
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 2,458
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

The only setting in the BIOS that would possibly have any effect is if you have PS/2
disabled there. Some older BIOS' had a setting to toggle PS/2. I can't think of
anything else relevant. An electrical surge could have changed the settings.

If there is any sort of electrical damage to the BIOS, I doubt you would *only* be
seeing a picky mouse port, and I doubt the mouse port would even be affected.
There'd be far worse symptoms, like not being able to boot. A damaged BIOS chip
could only be replaced....not something you would do yourself and likely this older
system would not have a ready replacement available.

Have you tried using the one mouse that works OK, for a while? Does it continue to
behave? If so, you may have to use that one, as the one that gets along with the
onboard controller.

Have you tried disabling the onboard mouse, in Device Manager?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
Is it possible that there is a problem with the bios that is causing a
problem with the mouse? Maybe the lightning strike had an effect on that as
well. I know i'm grasping at straws but i'd like to see if i can correct this
problem as well.

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Replies inline....
"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
As you might remember i only have one usb port. This is the toshiba laptop
with the usb driver problems.


Yeah, I know, but I didn't know it only had one USB port....bummer.

Let me ask you this. Why is it a problem
connecting a ps/2 mouse after startup but not a problem connecting anything
else in a usb port?


USB ports are designed specifically for hot-swapping....inserting and removing
while
the computer is powered on.
PS/2 ports are not designed for hot-swapping, and in fact can burn out the
circuit
when this is done. It may not happen the first times you do it, but it is a high
risk each time. Usually mouse and keyboard connectors have a soldered-on fuse on
the motherboard, to prevent damage to the motherboard from hot-swapping. On
every
system I have worked on in the last 13 years or so, connecting a PS/2 mouse after
Windows is loaded will not work at all....the system must be started with the
mouse
already connected.

You say it shouldn't work but it does work plugging it in after startup.
And, if, like you say, there is something wrong with the ps/2 port, than why
would one of the three mice i tried work ok being plugged in prior to startup
but, the other two not work properly? I'm not trying to be difficult it just
seems that this is not following any logic.


I have no idea. I will tell you a story about a very old laptop we had here
years
ago....an old 486 with a built-in trackball, and Win95 installed. Every PS/2
mouse
I tried on it would stop working a few minutes after use, and usually freeze the
computer. Only one mouse, a black IBM PS/2 mouse, would work on this system
along
with the built-in trackball and its serial drivers. So that is the mouse we
always
used with it, and never had a problem. I recently started that old 486 (yes it
still boots), and plugged in a mouse that was at hand....and it still did it. I
dug
out that old black IBM mouse and it worked fine with it still. Go figure....no
logic.


Do you agree? Any help?
Thanks


That's all I've got for you.
End of reply.


"glee" wrote:

Do you have an available USB port? If so, use a simple USB scrolling mouse
instead
of PS/2.


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've been told that you should not plug in a mouse after the computer has
booted up. This is the first time i was told why. But, what are my options
if
i want to use an external mouse instead of the button on the laptop? On this
older toshiba the button is located in the center of the keyboard and is
difficult to control. Sometimes after using it for long periods the mouse
begins to wonder. So i would like to use an external mouse control.

Again what do you think my options are?

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Sounds like a port problem. You should NOT be able to plug in a PS/2 mouse
while
the computer is already on and Windows is running, and have it work. The
lightning
strike may have damaged the PS/2 connector circuitry on the motherboard.
Inserting a PS/2 mouse (or a keyboard) into the port while the computer is
on
can
damage the port or burn it out totally.

(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.
eg)

"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer
before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it
crashed during a lightning storm and never ran again. When i got it back
the
hard drive was broken (noisy and did not boot up) so i replaced the hard
drive and since then i cannot have the mouse plugged into it prior to
start
up. But it works fine if i plug it in after start up. So for some reason
it
has a problem loading it during start up. Again the twist is, if i tried
several different mice and this was the only one that made the computer
squirly (during start up) than i would determine that it is the mouse.
But,
because two out of the three mice that i tried, two of them made it
squirly
I
am thinking that something with the drive or the port is the problem.

What do you think?

Thanks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
Now that i have the usb drivers corrected i think i will now take on
the
mouse driver. When i look in the device manager the mouse port
indicates
that
it is working properly. However, when i plug an external mouse (one
that
i've
previously used with it) into the laptop prior to starting the pointer
goes
wild and begins opening programs. Prior to me changing out the hard
drive
this mouse worked perfectly fine with the computer. The twist is that
if i
plug the mouse in after startup it works fine. Another thing to make
this
strange is that i've tried two other mouses and one works ok when
plugged
into the computer prior to startup. So two out of the three are
squirly.
Can
i remove the original drivers, plug the mouse in and reboot then
install
the
drivers that came with the mouse? Or should i just plug the mouse in
after
startup?

Thanks in advance
Richard

Unless it has unusual functions, you shouldn't need a driver - assuming
it's a PS/2 mouse, anyway (those must be plugged in before windows
starts).

I'm not sure about USB mice. (If it's one that can be USB or PS/2, and
you have a suitable adapter, try it with the adapter. [Not all will work
with such an adapter.])

If it's a serial mouse - really old - it can be plugged in after Windows
has started, at least at the point where Windows says it can't find a
mouse. (Again, no driver should be needed.)

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm



  #22  
Old February 3rd 09, 09:38 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
J. P. Gilliver (John)
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,554
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

In message , Buffalo
writes:


glee wrote:

[]
(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.





HappiER, but I'd be happiest if he interposted with snipping - but it's
no big deal, we're all different, and can get along!
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL(+++)IS-P--Ch+(p)Ar+T[?]H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Imagine a world with no hypothetical situations...
  #23  
Old February 3rd 09, 09:38 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
J. P. Gilliver (John)
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,554
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

In message , Buffalo
writes:


glee wrote:

[]
(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.





HappiER, but I'd be happiest if he interposted with snipping - but it's
no big deal, we're all different, and can get along!
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL(+++)IS-P--Ch+(p)Ar+T[?]H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Imagine a world with no hypothetical situations...
  #24  
Old February 3rd 09, 07:02 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
Rich newtech[_2_]
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 26
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

I've heard about "flashing the bios" so i thought that could be a problem.
The only "switch" i can find is in the mouse properties. There is a selection
of "auto" or "simultaneous". If you select auto and don't plug an external
mouse in the onboard controls work. There lies the problem. I selected auto
and re-booted (as requested) and both of them tried to work but he external
one was eratic. Once i selected auto and re-booted and it returned to
simultaneous. Then i selected auto and did not plug in an external mouse and
the on board mouse didn't respond properly. So i'm thinking that the problem
lies in this switch.

Using the external mouse that works isn't an option. That is the one i use
with my main computer and i am going to send the computer i'm repairing back
to my brother.

Any suggestions?
"glee" wrote:

The only setting in the BIOS that would possibly have any effect is if you have PS/2
disabled there. Some older BIOS' had a setting to toggle PS/2. I can't think of
anything else relevant. An electrical surge could have changed the settings.

If there is any sort of electrical damage to the BIOS, I doubt you would *only* be
seeing a picky mouse port, and I doubt the mouse port would even be affected.
There'd be far worse symptoms, like not being able to boot. A damaged BIOS chip
could only be replaced....not something you would do yourself and likely this older
system would not have a ready replacement available.

Have you tried using the one mouse that works OK, for a while? Does it continue to
behave? If so, you may have to use that one, as the one that gets along with the
onboard controller.

Have you tried disabling the onboard mouse, in Device Manager?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
Is it possible that there is a problem with the bios that is causing a
problem with the mouse? Maybe the lightning strike had an effect on that as
well. I know i'm grasping at straws but i'd like to see if i can correct this
problem as well.

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Replies inline....
"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
As you might remember i only have one usb port. This is the toshiba laptop
with the usb driver problems.

Yeah, I know, but I didn't know it only had one USB port....bummer.

Let me ask you this. Why is it a problem
connecting a ps/2 mouse after startup but not a problem connecting anything
else in a usb port?

USB ports are designed specifically for hot-swapping....inserting and removing
while
the computer is powered on.
PS/2 ports are not designed for hot-swapping, and in fact can burn out the
circuit
when this is done. It may not happen the first times you do it, but it is a high
risk each time. Usually mouse and keyboard connectors have a soldered-on fuse on
the motherboard, to prevent damage to the motherboard from hot-swapping. On
every
system I have worked on in the last 13 years or so, connecting a PS/2 mouse after
Windows is loaded will not work at all....the system must be started with the
mouse
already connected.

You say it shouldn't work but it does work plugging it in after startup.
And, if, like you say, there is something wrong with the ps/2 port, than why
would one of the three mice i tried work ok being plugged in prior to startup
but, the other two not work properly? I'm not trying to be difficult it just
seems that this is not following any logic.

I have no idea. I will tell you a story about a very old laptop we had here
years
ago....an old 486 with a built-in trackball, and Win95 installed. Every PS/2
mouse
I tried on it would stop working a few minutes after use, and usually freeze the
computer. Only one mouse, a black IBM PS/2 mouse, would work on this system
along
with the built-in trackball and its serial drivers. So that is the mouse we
always
used with it, and never had a problem. I recently started that old 486 (yes it
still boots), and plugged in a mouse that was at hand....and it still did it. I
dug
out that old black IBM mouse and it worked fine with it still. Go figure....no
logic.


Do you agree? Any help?
Thanks

That's all I've got for you.
End of reply.


"glee" wrote:

Do you have an available USB port? If so, use a simple USB scrolling mouse
instead
of PS/2.


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've been told that you should not plug in a mouse after the computer has
booted up. This is the first time i was told why. But, what are my options
if
i want to use an external mouse instead of the button on the laptop? On this
older toshiba the button is located in the center of the keyboard and is
difficult to control. Sometimes after using it for long periods the mouse
begins to wonder. So i would like to use an external mouse control.

Again what do you think my options are?

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Sounds like a port problem. You should NOT be able to plug in a PS/2 mouse
while
the computer is already on and Windows is running, and have it work. The
lightning
strike may have damaged the PS/2 connector circuitry on the motherboard.
Inserting a PS/2 mouse (or a keyboard) into the port while the computer is
on
can
damage the port or burn it out totally.

(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.
eg)

"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer
before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it
crashed during a lightning storm and never ran again. When i got it back
the
hard drive was broken (noisy and did not boot up) so i replaced the hard
drive and since then i cannot have the mouse plugged into it prior to
start
up. But it works fine if i plug it in after start up. So for some reason
it
has a problem loading it during start up. Again the twist is, if i tried
several different mice and this was the only one that made the computer
squirly (during start up) than i would determine that it is the mouse.
But,
because two out of the three mice that i tried, two of them made it
squirly
I
am thinking that something with the drive or the port is the problem.

What do you think?

Thanks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
Now that i have the usb drivers corrected i think i will now take on
the
mouse driver. When i look in the device manager the mouse port
indicates
that
it is working properly. However, when i plug an external mouse (one
that
i've
previously used with it) into the laptop prior to starting the pointer
goes
wild and begins opening programs. Prior to me changing out the hard
drive
this mouse worked perfectly fine with the computer. The twist is that
if i
plug the mouse in after startup it works fine. Another thing to make
this
strange is that i've tried two other mouses and one works ok when
plugged
into the computer prior to startup. So two out of the three are
squirly.
Can
i remove the original drivers, plug the mouse in and reboot then
install
the
drivers that came with the mouse? Or should i just plug the mouse in
after
startup?

Thanks in advance
Richard

Unless it has unusual functions, you shouldn't need a driver - assuming
it's a PS/2 mouse, anyway (those must be plugged in before windows
starts).

I'm not sure about USB mice. (If it's one that can be USB or PS/2, and
you have a suitable adapter, try it with the adapter. [Not all will work
with such an adapter.])

If it's a serial mouse - really old - it can be plugged in after Windows
has started, at least at the point where Windows says it can't find a
mouse. (Again, no driver should be needed.)

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm




  #25  
Old February 3rd 09, 07:02 PM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
Rich newtech[_2_]
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 26
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

I've heard about "flashing the bios" so i thought that could be a problem.
The only "switch" i can find is in the mouse properties. There is a selection
of "auto" or "simultaneous". If you select auto and don't plug an external
mouse in the onboard controls work. There lies the problem. I selected auto
and re-booted (as requested) and both of them tried to work but he external
one was eratic. Once i selected auto and re-booted and it returned to
simultaneous. Then i selected auto and did not plug in an external mouse and
the on board mouse didn't respond properly. So i'm thinking that the problem
lies in this switch.

Using the external mouse that works isn't an option. That is the one i use
with my main computer and i am going to send the computer i'm repairing back
to my brother.

Any suggestions?
"glee" wrote:

The only setting in the BIOS that would possibly have any effect is if you have PS/2
disabled there. Some older BIOS' had a setting to toggle PS/2. I can't think of
anything else relevant. An electrical surge could have changed the settings.

If there is any sort of electrical damage to the BIOS, I doubt you would *only* be
seeing a picky mouse port, and I doubt the mouse port would even be affected.
There'd be far worse symptoms, like not being able to boot. A damaged BIOS chip
could only be replaced....not something you would do yourself and likely this older
system would not have a ready replacement available.

Have you tried using the one mouse that works OK, for a while? Does it continue to
behave? If so, you may have to use that one, as the one that gets along with the
onboard controller.

Have you tried disabling the onboard mouse, in Device Manager?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
Is it possible that there is a problem with the bios that is causing a
problem with the mouse? Maybe the lightning strike had an effect on that as
well. I know i'm grasping at straws but i'd like to see if i can correct this
problem as well.

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Replies inline....
"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
As you might remember i only have one usb port. This is the toshiba laptop
with the usb driver problems.

Yeah, I know, but I didn't know it only had one USB port....bummer.

Let me ask you this. Why is it a problem
connecting a ps/2 mouse after startup but not a problem connecting anything
else in a usb port?

USB ports are designed specifically for hot-swapping....inserting and removing
while
the computer is powered on.
PS/2 ports are not designed for hot-swapping, and in fact can burn out the
circuit
when this is done. It may not happen the first times you do it, but it is a high
risk each time. Usually mouse and keyboard connectors have a soldered-on fuse on
the motherboard, to prevent damage to the motherboard from hot-swapping. On
every
system I have worked on in the last 13 years or so, connecting a PS/2 mouse after
Windows is loaded will not work at all....the system must be started with the
mouse
already connected.

You say it shouldn't work but it does work plugging it in after startup.
And, if, like you say, there is something wrong with the ps/2 port, than why
would one of the three mice i tried work ok being plugged in prior to startup
but, the other two not work properly? I'm not trying to be difficult it just
seems that this is not following any logic.

I have no idea. I will tell you a story about a very old laptop we had here
years
ago....an old 486 with a built-in trackball, and Win95 installed. Every PS/2
mouse
I tried on it would stop working a few minutes after use, and usually freeze the
computer. Only one mouse, a black IBM PS/2 mouse, would work on this system
along
with the built-in trackball and its serial drivers. So that is the mouse we
always
used with it, and never had a problem. I recently started that old 486 (yes it
still boots), and plugged in a mouse that was at hand....and it still did it. I
dug
out that old black IBM mouse and it worked fine with it still. Go figure....no
logic.


Do you agree? Any help?
Thanks

That's all I've got for you.
End of reply.


"glee" wrote:

Do you have an available USB port? If so, use a simple USB scrolling mouse
instead
of PS/2.


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've been told that you should not plug in a mouse after the computer has
booted up. This is the first time i was told why. But, what are my options
if
i want to use an external mouse instead of the button on the laptop? On this
older toshiba the button is located in the center of the keyboard and is
difficult to control. Sometimes after using it for long periods the mouse
begins to wonder. So i would like to use an external mouse control.

Again what do you think my options are?

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Sounds like a port problem. You should NOT be able to plug in a PS/2 mouse
while
the computer is already on and Windows is running, and have it work. The
lightning
strike may have damaged the PS/2 connector circuitry on the motherboard.
Inserting a PS/2 mouse (or a keyboard) into the port while the computer is
on
can
damage the port or burn it out totally.

(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.
eg)

"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer
before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it
crashed during a lightning storm and never ran again. When i got it back
the
hard drive was broken (noisy and did not boot up) so i replaced the hard
drive and since then i cannot have the mouse plugged into it prior to
start
up. But it works fine if i plug it in after start up. So for some reason
it
has a problem loading it during start up. Again the twist is, if i tried
several different mice and this was the only one that made the computer
squirly (during start up) than i would determine that it is the mouse.
But,
because two out of the three mice that i tried, two of them made it
squirly
I
am thinking that something with the drive or the port is the problem.

What do you think?

Thanks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
Now that i have the usb drivers corrected i think i will now take on
the
mouse driver. When i look in the device manager the mouse port
indicates
that
it is working properly. However, when i plug an external mouse (one
that
i've
previously used with it) into the laptop prior to starting the pointer
goes
wild and begins opening programs. Prior to me changing out the hard
drive
this mouse worked perfectly fine with the computer. The twist is that
if i
plug the mouse in after startup it works fine. Another thing to make
this
strange is that i've tried two other mouses and one works ok when
plugged
into the computer prior to startup. So two out of the three are
squirly.
Can
i remove the original drivers, plug the mouse in and reboot then
install
the
drivers that came with the mouse? Or should i just plug the mouse in
after
startup?

Thanks in advance
Richard

Unless it has unusual functions, you shouldn't need a driver - assuming
it's a PS/2 mouse, anyway (those must be plugged in before windows
starts).

I'm not sure about USB mice. (If it's one that can be USB or PS/2, and
you have a suitable adapter, try it with the adapter. [Not all will work
with such an adapter.])

If it's a serial mouse - really old - it can be plugged in after Windows
has started, at least at the point where Windows says it can't find a
mouse. (Again, no driver should be needed.)

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm




  #26  
Old February 4th 09, 02:53 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
J. P. Gilliver (John)
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,554
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it

[]
What do you think?

[]
Sounds to me like the port is damaged. I'd also try as another has
suggested disabling the internal "mouse" - possibly in the BIOS,
possibly in Device Manager (possibly in both).

When I've had a dodgy PS/2 connector (or forgotten to plug in the
mouse), I've generally got a message during Windows bootup something
like: "no mouse detected. You may plug in a serial mouse now; to use a
PS/2 mouse, restart the computer." If you're _not_ getting such a
message during bootup, I presume it thinks it _has_ got a mouse
connected.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL(+++)IS-P--Ch+(p)Ar+T[?]H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

If you want to make people angry, lie to them. If you want to make them
absolutely livid, then tell 'em the truth.
  #27  
Old February 4th 09, 02:53 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
J. P. Gilliver (John)
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,554
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it

[]
What do you think?

[]
Sounds to me like the port is damaged. I'd also try as another has
suggested disabling the internal "mouse" - possibly in the BIOS,
possibly in Device Manager (possibly in both).

When I've had a dodgy PS/2 connector (or forgotten to plug in the
mouse), I've generally got a message during Windows bootup something
like: "no mouse detected. You may plug in a serial mouse now; to use a
PS/2 mouse, restart the computer." If you're _not_ getting such a
message during bootup, I presume it thinks it _has_ got a mouse
connected.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL(+++)IS-P--Ch+(p)Ar+T[?]H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

If you want to make people angry, lie to them. If you want to make them
absolutely livid, then tell 'em the truth.
  #28  
Old February 4th 09, 05:16 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
glee
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 2,458
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

I have nothing new to suggest other than what I already suggested: try disabling the
built-in mouse in Device Manager. Usually the built-in mouse on a laptop is shown
as either a mousepad or trackball or whatever that laptop has, or it shows as a
serial mouse.

I can't tell you what may be happening with those "auto" and "simultaneous"
settings, and how they may be interacting with your PS/2 mouse. It still sounds to
me like damage to the PS/2 port.

Flashing the BIOS has no bearing on this.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've heard about "flashing the bios" so i thought that could be a problem.
The only "switch" i can find is in the mouse properties. There is a selection
of "auto" or "simultaneous". If you select auto and don't plug an external
mouse in the onboard controls work. There lies the problem. I selected auto
and re-booted (as requested) and both of them tried to work but he external
one was eratic. Once i selected auto and re-booted and it returned to
simultaneous. Then i selected auto and did not plug in an external mouse and
the on board mouse didn't respond properly. So i'm thinking that the problem
lies in this switch.

Using the external mouse that works isn't an option. That is the one i use
with my main computer and i am going to send the computer i'm repairing back
to my brother.

Any suggestions?
"glee" wrote:

The only setting in the BIOS that would possibly have any effect is if you have
PS/2
disabled there. Some older BIOS' had a setting to toggle PS/2. I can't think of
anything else relevant. An electrical surge could have changed the settings.

If there is any sort of electrical damage to the BIOS, I doubt you would *only*
be
seeing a picky mouse port, and I doubt the mouse port would even be affected.
There'd be far worse symptoms, like not being able to boot. A damaged BIOS chip
could only be replaced....not something you would do yourself and likely this
older
system would not have a ready replacement available.

Have you tried using the one mouse that works OK, for a while? Does it continue
to
behave? If so, you may have to use that one, as the one that gets along with the
onboard controller.

Have you tried disabling the onboard mouse, in Device Manager?


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
Is it possible that there is a problem with the bios that is causing a
problem with the mouse? Maybe the lightning strike had an effect on that as
well. I know i'm grasping at straws but i'd like to see if i can correct this
problem as well.

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Replies inline....
"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
As you might remember i only have one usb port. This is the toshiba laptop
with the usb driver problems.

Yeah, I know, but I didn't know it only had one USB port....bummer.

Let me ask you this. Why is it a problem
connecting a ps/2 mouse after startup but not a problem connecting anything
else in a usb port?

USB ports are designed specifically for hot-swapping....inserting and removing
while
the computer is powered on.
PS/2 ports are not designed for hot-swapping, and in fact can burn out the
circuit
when this is done. It may not happen the first times you do it, but it is a
high
risk each time. Usually mouse and keyboard connectors have a soldered-on fuse
on
the motherboard, to prevent damage to the motherboard from hot-swapping. On
every
system I have worked on in the last 13 years or so, connecting a PS/2 mouse
after
Windows is loaded will not work at all....the system must be started with the
mouse
already connected.

You say it shouldn't work but it does work plugging it in after startup.
And, if, like you say, there is something wrong with the ps/2 port, than why
would one of the three mice i tried work ok being plugged in prior to
startup
but, the other two not work properly? I'm not trying to be difficult it just
seems that this is not following any logic.

I have no idea. I will tell you a story about a very old laptop we had here
years
ago....an old 486 with a built-in trackball, and Win95 installed. Every PS/2
mouse
I tried on it would stop working a few minutes after use, and usually freeze
the
computer. Only one mouse, a black IBM PS/2 mouse, would work on this system
along
with the built-in trackball and its serial drivers. So that is the mouse we
always
used with it, and never had a problem. I recently started that old 486 (yes
it
still boots), and plugged in a mouse that was at hand....and it still did it.
I
dug
out that old black IBM mouse and it worked fine with it still. Go
figure....no
logic.


Do you agree? Any help?
Thanks

That's all I've got for you.
End of reply.


"glee" wrote:

Do you have an available USB port? If so, use a simple USB scrolling mouse
instead
of PS/2.


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've been told that you should not plug in a mouse after the computer has
booted up. This is the first time i was told why. But, what are my
options
if
i want to use an external mouse instead of the button on the laptop? On
this
older toshiba the button is located in the center of the keyboard and is
difficult to control. Sometimes after using it for long periods the mouse
begins to wonder. So i would like to use an external mouse control.

Again what do you think my options are?

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Sounds like a port problem. You should NOT be able to plug in a PS/2
mouse
while
the computer is already on and Windows is running, and have it work.
The
lightning
strike may have damaged the PS/2 connector circuitry on the motherboard.
Inserting a PS/2 mouse (or a keyboard) into the port while the computer
is
on
can
damage the port or burn it out totally.

(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.
eg)

"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer
before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it
in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it
crashed during a lightning storm and never ran again. When i got it
back
the
hard drive was broken (noisy and did not boot up) so i replaced the
hard
drive and since then i cannot have the mouse plugged into it prior to
start
up. But it works fine if i plug it in after start up. So for some
reason
it
has a problem loading it during start up. Again the twist is, if i
tried
several different mice and this was the only one that made the
computer
squirly (during start up) than i would determine that it is the mouse.
But,
because two out of the three mice that i tried, two of them made it
squirly
I
am thinking that something with the drive or the port is the problem.

What do you think?

Thanks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
Now that i have the usb drivers corrected i think i will now take on
the
mouse driver. When i look in the device manager the mouse port
indicates
that
it is working properly. However, when i plug an external mouse (one
that
i've
previously used with it) into the laptop prior to starting the
pointer
goes
wild and begins opening programs. Prior to me changing out the hard
drive
this mouse worked perfectly fine with the computer. The twist is
that
if i
plug the mouse in after startup it works fine. Another thing to make
this
strange is that i've tried two other mouses and one works ok when
plugged
into the computer prior to startup. So two out of the three are
squirly.
Can
i remove the original drivers, plug the mouse in and reboot then
install
the
drivers that came with the mouse? Or should i just plug the mouse in
after
startup?

Thanks in advance
Richard

Unless it has unusual functions, you shouldn't need a driver -
assuming
it's a PS/2 mouse, anyway (those must be plugged in before windows
starts).

I'm not sure about USB mice. (If it's one that can be USB or PS/2,
and
you have a suitable adapter, try it with the adapter. [Not all will
work
with such an adapter.])

If it's a serial mouse - really old - it can be plugged in after
Windows
has started, at least at the point where Windows says it can't find a
mouse. (Again, no driver should be needed.)


  #29  
Old February 4th 09, 05:16 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
glee
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 2,458
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

I have nothing new to suggest other than what I already suggested: try disabling the
built-in mouse in Device Manager. Usually the built-in mouse on a laptop is shown
as either a mousepad or trackball or whatever that laptop has, or it shows as a
serial mouse.

I can't tell you what may be happening with those "auto" and "simultaneous"
settings, and how they may be interacting with your PS/2 mouse. It still sounds to
me like damage to the PS/2 port.

Flashing the BIOS has no bearing on this.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've heard about "flashing the bios" so i thought that could be a problem.
The only "switch" i can find is in the mouse properties. There is a selection
of "auto" or "simultaneous". If you select auto and don't plug an external
mouse in the onboard controls work. There lies the problem. I selected auto
and re-booted (as requested) and both of them tried to work but he external
one was eratic. Once i selected auto and re-booted and it returned to
simultaneous. Then i selected auto and did not plug in an external mouse and
the on board mouse didn't respond properly. So i'm thinking that the problem
lies in this switch.

Using the external mouse that works isn't an option. That is the one i use
with my main computer and i am going to send the computer i'm repairing back
to my brother.

Any suggestions?
"glee" wrote:

The only setting in the BIOS that would possibly have any effect is if you have
PS/2
disabled there. Some older BIOS' had a setting to toggle PS/2. I can't think of
anything else relevant. An electrical surge could have changed the settings.

If there is any sort of electrical damage to the BIOS, I doubt you would *only*
be
seeing a picky mouse port, and I doubt the mouse port would even be affected.
There'd be far worse symptoms, like not being able to boot. A damaged BIOS chip
could only be replaced....not something you would do yourself and likely this
older
system would not have a ready replacement available.

Have you tried using the one mouse that works OK, for a while? Does it continue
to
behave? If so, you may have to use that one, as the one that gets along with the
onboard controller.

Have you tried disabling the onboard mouse, in Device Manager?


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
Is it possible that there is a problem with the bios that is causing a
problem with the mouse? Maybe the lightning strike had an effect on that as
well. I know i'm grasping at straws but i'd like to see if i can correct this
problem as well.

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Replies inline....
"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
As you might remember i only have one usb port. This is the toshiba laptop
with the usb driver problems.

Yeah, I know, but I didn't know it only had one USB port....bummer.

Let me ask you this. Why is it a problem
connecting a ps/2 mouse after startup but not a problem connecting anything
else in a usb port?

USB ports are designed specifically for hot-swapping....inserting and removing
while
the computer is powered on.
PS/2 ports are not designed for hot-swapping, and in fact can burn out the
circuit
when this is done. It may not happen the first times you do it, but it is a
high
risk each time. Usually mouse and keyboard connectors have a soldered-on fuse
on
the motherboard, to prevent damage to the motherboard from hot-swapping. On
every
system I have worked on in the last 13 years or so, connecting a PS/2 mouse
after
Windows is loaded will not work at all....the system must be started with the
mouse
already connected.

You say it shouldn't work but it does work plugging it in after startup.
And, if, like you say, there is something wrong with the ps/2 port, than why
would one of the three mice i tried work ok being plugged in prior to
startup
but, the other two not work properly? I'm not trying to be difficult it just
seems that this is not following any logic.

I have no idea. I will tell you a story about a very old laptop we had here
years
ago....an old 486 with a built-in trackball, and Win95 installed. Every PS/2
mouse
I tried on it would stop working a few minutes after use, and usually freeze
the
computer. Only one mouse, a black IBM PS/2 mouse, would work on this system
along
with the built-in trackball and its serial drivers. So that is the mouse we
always
used with it, and never had a problem. I recently started that old 486 (yes
it
still boots), and plugged in a mouse that was at hand....and it still did it.
I
dug
out that old black IBM mouse and it worked fine with it still. Go
figure....no
logic.


Do you agree? Any help?
Thanks

That's all I've got for you.
End of reply.


"glee" wrote:

Do you have an available USB port? If so, use a simple USB scrolling mouse
instead
of PS/2.


"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
I've been told that you should not plug in a mouse after the computer has
booted up. This is the first time i was told why. But, what are my
options
if
i want to use an external mouse instead of the button on the laptop? On
this
older toshiba the button is located in the center of the keyboard and is
difficult to control. Sometimes after using it for long periods the mouse
begins to wonder. So i would like to use an external mouse control.

Again what do you think my options are?

Thanks

"glee" wrote:

Sounds like a port problem. You should NOT be able to plug in a PS/2
mouse
while
the computer is already on and Windows is running, and have it work.
The
lightning
strike may have damaged the PS/2 connector circuitry on the motherboard.
Inserting a PS/2 mouse (or a keyboard) into the port while the computer
is
on
can
damage the port or burn it out totally.

(Top-posting with sig at end of quoted message, to make J.P. happier.
eg)

"Rich newtech" wrote in message
...
It's a ps/2 scrolling mouse. I use to use the mouse with this computer
before
the hard drive crashed and i replaced it. Since then i cannot plug it
in
prior to startup. This computer is my brother's and he told me that it
crashed during a lightning storm and never ran again. When i got it
back
the
hard drive was broken (noisy and did not boot up) so i replaced the
hard
drive and since then i cannot have the mouse plugged into it prior to
start
up. But it works fine if i plug it in after start up. So for some
reason
it
has a problem loading it during start up. Again the twist is, if i
tried
several different mice and this was the only one that made the
computer
squirly (during start up) than i would determine that it is the mouse.
But,
because two out of the three mice that i tried, two of them made it
squirly
I
am thinking that something with the drive or the port is the problem.

What do you think?

Thanks

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

In message , Rich
newtech writes:
Now that i have the usb drivers corrected i think i will now take on
the
mouse driver. When i look in the device manager the mouse port
indicates
that
it is working properly. However, when i plug an external mouse (one
that
i've
previously used with it) into the laptop prior to starting the
pointer
goes
wild and begins opening programs. Prior to me changing out the hard
drive
this mouse worked perfectly fine with the computer. The twist is
that
if i
plug the mouse in after startup it works fine. Another thing to make
this
strange is that i've tried two other mouses and one works ok when
plugged
into the computer prior to startup. So two out of the three are
squirly.
Can
i remove the original drivers, plug the mouse in and reboot then
install
the
drivers that came with the mouse? Or should i just plug the mouse in
after
startup?

Thanks in advance
Richard

Unless it has unusual functions, you shouldn't need a driver -
assuming
it's a PS/2 mouse, anyway (those must be plugged in before windows
starts).

I'm not sure about USB mice. (If it's one that can be USB or PS/2,
and
you have a suitable adapter, try it with the adapter. [Not all will
work
with such an adapter.])

If it's a serial mouse - really old - it can be plugged in after
Windows
has started, at least at the point where Windows says it can't find a
mouse. (Again, no driver should be needed.)


  #30  
Old February 4th 09, 06:18 AM posted to microsoft.public.win98.performance
Jeff Richards
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,526
Default Now a problem with mouse driver

Even if disabling the built in mouse does not fix the basic problem, it
should fix the problem of the mouse pointer wandering after a period of use.
I have used three machines with this type of mouse and all of them had
problems with unwanted movement created by the mini-joystick type of mouse
control.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)

"glee" wrote in message
...
I have nothing new to suggest other than what I already suggested: try
disabling the built-in mouse in Device Manager. Usually the built-in mouse
on a laptop is shown as either a mousepad or trackball or whatever that
laptop has, or it shows as a serial mouse.

I can't tell you what may be happening with those "auto" and
"simultaneous" settings, and how they may be interacting with your PS/2
mouse. It still sounds to me like damage to the PS/2 port.

Flashing the BIOS has no bearing on this.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm




 




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