Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Mouse Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing problems with your mouse, you need to look in only two general
places—hardwareandsoftware.Becausemicearesimpledevices,lookingatthehardware
takes little time. Detecting and correcting software problems can take a bit longer,
however.
If your system refuses to recognize the mouse, try using a different mouse that you know
works.Ifthatdoesn'tresolvetheproblem,theportyouareconnectingthemousetomight
be bad. If the mouse is connected via USB, try a different USB port. If a motherboard-
based PS/2 mouse port goes bad, you can replace the entire motherboard—which is usu-
ally expensive—or you can just use a USB mouse instead.
I have had problems in which a bad PS/2 interface mouse caused the system to lock right
as the driver loaded or when third-party diagnostics were being run on the system. Try
unplugging the mouse to see if the system will boot; if it does, the mouse or PS/2 mouse
port (meaning the motherboard) may be the problem.
Totroubleshootwirelessmice,see
“
TroubleshootingWirelessInputDevices
,”laterinthis
chapter.
Cleaning Your Mouse
Ifyounoticethatthemousepointermovesacrossthescreeninajerkyfashion,itmightbe
timetocleanyourmouse.Foramousewitharollerball,thisjerkinessiscausedwhendirt
and dust become trapped around the mouse's ball-and-roller assembly, thereby restricting
its free movement.
Fromahardwareperspective,themouseisasimpledevice,socleaningitiseasy.Thefirst
step is to turn the mouse housing over so that you can see the ball on the bottom. Notice
thatsurroundingtheballisanaccess panelyoucanopen.Sometimes instructions indicate
how the panel is to be opened. (Some off-brand mice might require you to remove some
screws to get at the roller ball.) Remove the panel to see more of the roller ball and the
socket in which it rests.
If you turn the mouse back over, the rubber roller ball should fall into your hand. Take a
look at the ball. It might be gray or black, but it should have no visible dirt or other con-
tamination.Ifitdoes,washitinsoapywateroramildsolvent,suchascontactlenscleaner
solution or alcohol, and dry it off.
Now take a look at the socket in which the roller ball normally rests. You will see two or
three small wheels or bars against which the ball usually rolls. If you notice dust or dirt
on or around these wheels or bars, you need to clean them. The best way is to use a com-
pressed air duster, which can blow out any dust or dirt. You also can use some electrical
