Mouse becomes erratic until i restart computer‏

[AdeW]

My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.

So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.

I restart the computer and its all fine.

I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual

Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.

I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

[dadiOH]

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.

USB mouse? Serial? Wireless? What?

[glee]

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

What kind of mouse? USB, PS/2, Wireless? Optical or ball-type?
Are third-party (manufacturer) drives installed or standard Windows
mouse drivers?
If third-party, which ones?

Have you tried using a different mouse to test?
Have you tried using your mouse on another computer?
Does the problem happen in Safe Mode?

[AdeW]

What kind of mouse? USB, PS/2, Wireless?  Optical or ball-type?
Are third-party (manufacturer) drives installed or standard Windows
mouse drivers?
If third-party, which ones?
Have you tried using a different mouse to test?
Have you tried using your mouse on another computer?
Does the problem happen in Safe Mode?

Its a ps/2 mouse ball type.

I was thinking because both the keyboard and mouse start working again
when the computer is restarted and that the accessibility mouse keys
on the numberpad still worked that it wasn't a hardware problem? why
is that?

I haven't tried a different mouse yet, but i did read a webpage
suggesting static?

I've not tried the mouse on another computer. Will have to find one.

I did try safe mode for about 10 minutes and no problems. But then
when out of safe mode the mouse has worked fine for a few hours until
it goes wrong.

Its a Genius brand mouse. Seems to use standard drivers vmm32.vxd

When i get back home will have a look if the mouse plug is secure.

[Robert Macy]

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!

This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports

The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief. At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes. Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive. Again points to unreliable
connection.

The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message

Post by Robert Macy

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!
This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports
The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief. At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes. Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive. Again points to unreliable
connection.
The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.

Sadly, the mouse socket is soldered into the motherboard; as anyone
who's worked on electronics knows, connectors soldered into boards (at
least right-angle ones) tend to go flaky after a while. A mouse one,
where (however small) flexings of the cable are continuously applied, is
more likely to go, I suppose. (The keyboard connector is part of the
same structure.)

_If_ you feel competent, you can touch up the solder connections - but
that involves completely dismantling the computer, as they're under the
motherboard.

_If_ you can get it into a position where it seems reliable for a bit,
it may be worth using a cable tie, lacing cord, tape, or glue to hold
the end few inches of the tail (near the plug end) so that the flexing
is minimised; an extension lead might have the same effect; a wireless
setup would too. Ditto a USB mouse/keyboard, though I don't like using
those on a system that has a "proper" PS/2 option, as (a) it leaves a
connection unused (b) it uses up (usually scarce) USB ports (c) it often
doesn't work during boot.

Of course it _could_ be just the mouse, though the behaviour suggests
otherwise -- but certainly worth trying. (Or even a serial or bus
mouse!)

[Robert Macy]

On Jul 25, 3:45 am, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
In message

Post by Robert Macy

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!
This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports
The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief.  At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes.  Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive.  Again points to unreliable
connection.
The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.

Sadly, the mouse socket is soldered into the motherboard; as anyone
who's worked on electronics knows, connectors soldered into boards (at
least right-angle ones) tend to go flaky after a while. A mouse one,
where (however small) flexings of the cable are continuously applied, is
more likely to go, I suppose. (The keyboard connector is part of the
same structure.)
_If_ you feel competent, you can touch up the solder connections - but
that involves completely dismantling the computer, as they're under the
motherboard.
_If_ you can get it into a position where it seems reliable for a bit,
it may be worth using a cable tie, lacing cord, tape, or glue to hold
the end few inches of the tail (near the plug end) so that the flexing
is minimised; an extension lead might have the same effect; a wireless
setup would too. Ditto a USB mouse/keyboard, though I don't like using
those on a system that has a "proper" PS/2 option, as (a) it leaves a
connection unused (b) it uses up (usually scarce) USB ports (c) it often
doesn't work during boot.
Of course it _could_ be just the mouse, though the behaviour suggests
otherwise -- but certainly worth trying. (Or even a serial or bus
mouse!)
--
I had lunch today in a restaurant where the food was abdominal. - G4PKP's
                                                        bienapropism list

Had this symptom long time ago also with the fine wires in the mouse
cable breaking, down to a single filament of connection. Found it by
measuring resistance and noticed erratic ohms from 1 ohm up passed 100
ohms, all over the place. Located it by gently flexing the cable and
feeling for a weak bend area. Then upon pushing cable together
problem gone, but pulling apart right there?! we're talking major
mouse/keyboard failure and reboot. Whereupon the mouse would start
working again. Fixed for a year longer by extricating the section,
shortened the cable there, soldered the cable. This is only good for
emergency and the die hards who NEVER want to throw anything away that
still almost works.

[AdeW]

Post by Robert Macy

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!
This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports
The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief.  At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes.  Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive.  Again points to unreliable
connection.
The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I have switched on my home computer after a week of not using it and
get a "Windows mouse support" message before the login dialog box
appears.

"Windows Mouse Support: Windows did not detect a mouse attached to a
computer. You can safely attach a serial mouse now. To attach a mouse
to a PS/2 mouse port, you must first turn the computer off."

I didn't think a serial mouse could be hot swappable.

Atleast the ps/2 keyboard isn't getting confused by the mouse as i've
read it can on wikipedia, so far.

I didn't mention that in one day i did about 4 soft (warm) boots
(restart windows + shift key) and the mouse kept working but just for
shorter periods of time, till eventually the mouse didn't even get
past the log in screen, and thats when i decided to try safe mode, but
then that would have been a hard (cold) boot.

You're saying windows just gets confused by an erratic mouse and so
crashes.

Looking at the ps/2 port it looks secure but i've not touched it yet.

I have had the mouse cable sitting under the modem for months (cos i
didn't like the feeling of the mouse being pulled away from the mouse
mat with the cable dragging on the table edge) so i don't think its a
motherboard problem.

...so i have a theory that my problem is at the point where the cable
meets the mouse. Will have to see and try another mouse. So far I used
the computer for a while and no crashing.

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by Robert Macy

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!
This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports
The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief.  At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes.  Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive.  Again points to unreliable
connection.
The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I have switched on my home computer after a week of not using it and
get a "Windows mouse support" message before the login dialog box
appears.
"Windows Mouse Support: Windows did not detect a mouse attached to a
computer. You can safely attach a serial mouse now. To attach a mouse
to a PS/2 mouse port, you must first turn the computer off."
I didn't think a serial mouse could be hot swappable.
Atleast the ps/2 keyboard isn't getting confused by the mouse as i've
read it can on wikipedia, so far.
I didn't mention that in one day i did about 4 soft (warm) boots
(restart windows + shift key) and the mouse kept working but just for
shorter periods of time, till eventually the mouse didn't even get
past the log in screen, and thats when i decided to try safe mode, but
then that would have been a hard (cold) boot.
You're saying windows just gets confused by an erratic mouse and so
crashes.
Looking at the ps/2 port it looks secure but i've not touched it yet.
I have had the mouse cable sitting under the modem for months (cos i
didn't like the feeling of the mouse being pulled away from the mouse
mat with the cable dragging on the table edge) so i don't think its a
motherboard problem.
...so i have a theory that my problem is at the point where the cable
meets the mouse. Will have to see and try another mouse. So far I used
the computer for a while and no crashing.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

A few hours later and the keyboard stops responding except for the
accessibility mouse keys on the numeric keypad.

System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse and my usb VGA
dual camera

So I've just 'restarted in MS-DOS mode' and the keyboard works fine in
real DOS mode. Type exit and windows loads again (soft warm boot) same
'windows mouse support' dialog box 'windows did not detect a mouse'.

System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

[Dan W]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by Robert Macy

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.

SAME PROBLEM!!!
This is standard keyboard and standar mouse cabling to dedicated ports
The mouse goes nust, move right, soemthing goes left andhighlights
screens and weird beyond belief. At first thought was, a program
doing it, but today after accidentally bumping the mouse plug, and
itdoesn't feel very secure, and the thing went nuts until reboot; I'm
going to guess that it all stems from some kind of unreliable contact
to the mouse, causes the program to not understandand crass, but the
keyboard keeps working ...sometimes. Sometimes the mouse going nuts
combines with the keyboard going inactive. Again points to unreliable
connection.
The connection is erratic, so after reboot works again.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I have switched on my home computer after a week of not using it and
get a "Windows mouse support" message before the login dialog box
appears.
"Windows Mouse Support: Windows did not detect a mouse attached to a
computer. You can safely attach a serial mouse now. To attach a mouse
to a PS/2 mouse port, you must first turn the computer off."
I didn't think a serial mouse could be hot swappable.
Atleast the ps/2 keyboard isn't getting confused by the mouse as i've
read it can on wikipedia, so far.
I didn't mention that in one day i did about 4 soft (warm) boots
(restart windows + shift key) and the mouse kept working but just for
shorter periods of time, till eventually the mouse didn't even get
past the log in screen, and thats when i decided to try safe mode, but
then that would have been a hard (cold) boot.
You're saying windows just gets confused by an erratic mouse and so
crashes.
Looking at the ps/2 port it looks secure but i've not touched it yet.
I have had the mouse cable sitting under the modem for months (cos i
didn't like the feeling of the mouse being pulled away from the mouse
mat with the cable dragging on the table edge) so i don't think its a
motherboard problem.
...so i have a theory that my problem is at the point where the cable
meets the mouse. Will have to see and try another mouse. So far I used
the computer for a while and no crashing.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

A few hours later and the keyboard stops responding except for the
accessibility mouse keys on the numeric keypad.
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse and my usb VGA
dual camera
So I've just 'restarted in MS-DOS mode' and the keyboard works fine in
real DOS mode. Type exit and windows loads again (soft warm boot) same
'windows mouse support' dialog box 'windows did not detect a mouse'.
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

It sounds like you need to update your mouse driver(s). They have
become corrupted.

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

It sounds like you need to update your mouse driver(s).  They have
become corrupted.

That was code 24 for the mouse, and code 28 for usb vga dual camera.
But restart soft reboot and then no ! exclamation mark for the camera
just the mouse.

That was a few hours ago.

I thought i would restart my computer (hard cold? reboot) thinking
perhaps the week long break had affected my computer and now the mouse
is working fine!

A hard cold reboot is the same as pressing reset isn't it?

Give it a few hours and we'll see.

I've even looked at the device manager and it says the mouse 'device
is working properly' so that means the drivers are fine right?

[Buffalo]

Post by AdeW
A hard cold reboot is the same as pressing reset isn't it?

No, a hard cold reboot is shutting the computer off and giving the HDD time
to quit spinning before restarting the computer, IMO.
Buffalo
PS:At least in Win98, it was different.

[AdeW]

Post by Buffalo

Post by AdeW
A hard cold reboot is the same as pressing reset isn't it?

No, a hard cold reboot is shutting the computer off and giving the HDD time
to quit spinning before restarting the computer, IMO.
Buffalo
PS:At least in Win98, it was different.

I did scan reg while the mouse pointer was frozen and its fine it
says. Dr watson fine, device manager no problems, then some minutes
later the mouse was working again.

While it was frozen i could still move the pointer with the numeric
keypad.

That was yesterday, today the mouse froze again for five minutes and
then worked.

These are my mouse driver files. Are they all up to date?

mouse.drv modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00 PM version
9.01.0.000
msmouse.vxd modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00 PM version
4.10.1998
vmm32.vxd modified Saturday, December 10, 2005 12:59:00 PM

[Dan W]

Post by AdeW

Post by Dan W

Post by AdeW
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

It sounds like you need to update your mouse driver(s). They have
become corrupted.

That was code 24 for the mouse, and code 28 for usb vga dual camera.
But restart soft reboot and then no ! exclamation mark for the camera
just the mouse.
That was a few hours ago.
I thought i would restart my computer (hard cold? reboot) thinking
perhaps the week long break had affected my computer and now the mouse
is working fine!
A hard cold reboot is the same as pressing reset isn't it?
Give it a few hours and we'll see.
I've even looked at the device manager and it says the mouse 'device
is working properly' so that means the drivers are fine right?

Well, here is what I found from Google by searching about your topic.

http://www.nodevice.com/driver/company/Genius/Mouse/page2.html

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/206034

If I were you, I would install the mouse driver(s) to make sure
everything is working properly otherwise the problem may come back after
a while.

(Note: Please use common sense when opening web links)

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

It sounds like you need to update your mouse driver(s).  They have
become corrupted.

That was code 24 for the mouse, and code 28 for usb vga dual camera.
But restart soft reboot and then no ! exclamation mark for the camera
just the mouse.
I've even looked at the device manager and it says the mouse 'device
is working properly' so that means the drivers are fine right?

This is the message i got yesterday in device manager as on this MS
webpage....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/125174

If this is a Plug and Play device, the following text is displayed:
This device is either not present, not working properly, or does not
have all the drivers installed. (Code 24)

Try upgrading the device drivers for this device.

Solution button: Update Drivers

This code means that the device was not found (for example, it is
missing or is not working properly).

To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solutions. If the
device still does not work, make sure the device is connected to your
computer correctly. For example, make sure all cables are correctly
installed, or that the adapter cards are properly seated in their
slots.

[Dan W]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by Dan W

Post by AdeW
System properties has an ! exclamation by the mouse only.

It sounds like you need to update your mouse driver(s). They have
become corrupted.

That was code 24 for the mouse, and code 28 for usb vga dual camera.
But restart soft reboot and then no ! exclamation mark for the camera
just the mouse.
I've even looked at the device manager and it says the mouse 'device
is working properly' so that means the drivers are fine right?

This is the message i got yesterday in device manager as on this MS
webpage....
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/125174
This device is either not present, not working properly, or does not
have all the drivers installed. (Code 24)
Try upgrading the device drivers for this device.
Solution button: Update Drivers
This code means that the device was not found (for example, it is
missing or is not working properly).
To resolve this error code, follow the recommended solutions. If the
device still does not work, make sure the device is connected to your
computer correctly. For example, make sure all cables are correctly
installed, or that the adapter cards are properly seated in their
slots.

Did you download and install new mouse driver(s) for your device.

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <i2o52i$go1$***@news.eternal-september.org>, Dan W
<***@sorry.cuz> writes:
[]

Post by Dan W
Did you download and install new mouse driver(s) for your device.

Unless it has some unusual feature, or you want an unusual software
function/feature, I thought basic PS/2 mouse working was inherent in
Windows, from at least 95 (if not 3.x) on?

Has the OP tried another PS/2 mouse? The descriptions sounded to me very
much like a failing hardware problem (hope in the mouse not the socket).

[AdeW]

On Jul 29, 8:04 am, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Dan W
Did you download and install new mouse driver(s) for your device.

Unless it has some unusual feature, or you want an unusual software
function/feature, I thought basic PS/2 mouse working was inherent in
Windows, from at least 95 (if not 3.x) on?
Has the OP tried another PS/2 mouse? The descriptions sounded to me very
much like a failing hardware problem (hope in the mouse not the socket).

I've put a cable tie around the table leg for the mouse cable rather
putting the cable under the modem cos i felt it might have been a bit
too close to the mouse when the mouse cable flexes and moves around
the mouse mat.

I am putting off and procrastinating unplugging my mouse from the ps/2
port and trying another (and using my local library PCs).
As you yourself J. P. Gilliver (John) have said about the motherboard

"Sadly, the mouse socket is soldered into the motherboard; as anyone
who's worked on electronics knows, connectors soldered into boards
(at
least right-angle ones) tend to go flaky after a while. A mouse one,
where (however small) flexings of the cable are continuously applied,
is
more likely to go, I suppose. (The keyboard connector is part of the
same structure.) "

Could unplugging and replugging make the soldering to the motherboard
worse?

I do remember when i first switched on the computer in November 2009
(after not using it since May 2007) that i couldn't get past the DOS
Scandisk error message in real DOS because my Memorex keyboard wasn't
responding. Eventually after trying 2 other keyboards (and unplugged
the mouse), i put in the Memorex keyboard again and it worked - I was
never sure if perhaps originally i had just got the mouse and keyboard
port mixed up or that the port itself perhaps had a dry solder joint
or something.

When i did get Windows 98SE loaded though in November 2009 i wrote in
my diary about the mouse right clicking by itself and dragging, but
then the problem went away and i forgot about it until it started
again in recent weeks.

About the mouse drivers, well i suppose the Genius Easymouse has
worked for years without Genius drivers. Why is it that one needs to
update mouse drivers isn't it a fairly simple piece of software which
worked throughout the 1990s?

Windows 98 doesn't have a rollback feature like in XP incase when
changing drivers something goes wrong, unless someone knows how.

I was trying to find a webpage with Google which shows up my drivers
are up to date and tells the version number or date, but not much luck
so far. Anyone know of such a website?

mouse.drv modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00
PM version 9.01.0.000

msmouse.vxd modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00 PM
version 4.10.1998

vmm32.vxd modified Saturday, December 10, 2005 12:59:00 PM

[Bill in Co]

On Jul 29, 8:04 am, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Dan W
Did you download and install new mouse driver(s) for your device.

Unless it has some unusual feature, or you want an unusual software
function/feature, I thought basic PS/2 mouse working was inherent in
Windows, from at least 95 (if not 3.x) on?
Has the OP tried another PS/2 mouse? The descriptions sounded to me very
much like a failing hardware problem (hope in the mouse not the socket).

I've put a cable tie around the table leg for the mouse cable rather
putting the cable under the modem cos i felt it might have been a bit
too close to the mouse when the mouse cable flexes and moves around
the mouse mat.
I am putting off and procrastinating unplugging my mouse from the ps/2
port and trying another (and using my local library PCs).
As you yourself J. P. Gilliver (John) have said about the motherboard
"Sadly, the mouse socket is soldered into the motherboard; as anyone
who's worked on electronics knows, connectors soldered into boards
(at
least right-angle ones) tend to go flaky after a while. A mouse one,
where (however small) flexings of the cable are continuously applied,
is
more likely to go, I suppose. (The keyboard connector is part of the
same structure.) "
Could unplugging and replugging make the soldering to the motherboard
worse?

Possibly, but probably not likely (and if it's already intermittent, it will
stay such, so it's not going to make much practical difference).

I haven't been following all of the discussion, but you could probably
determine if an intermittent mouse problem is in the PS/2 connector or the
cable by wiggling the connector right where it plugs in, versus holding the
connector steady with one hand, and wiggling just the cable where it enters
the connector (while holding the connector firm in the other hand).

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

[]

Post by Bill in Co

Post by AdeW
Could unplugging and replugging make the soldering to the motherboard
worse?

Possibly, but probably not likely (and if it's already intermittent, it will
stay such, so it's not going to make much practical difference).

I'd disagree slightly - unplugging and replugging will put a _lot_ more
stress on the connector and its joints than just waggling. Though as SC
says, if it's already on the way out, it _might_ not matter so much.
(Or, it might kill it altogether, of course.)

Post by Bill in Co
I haven't been following all of the discussion, but you could probably
determine if an intermittent mouse problem is in the PS/2 connector or the
cable by wiggling the connector right where it plugs in, versus holding the
connector steady with one hand, and wiggling just the cable where it enters
the connector (while holding the connector firm in the other hand).

Trying another mouse would also give useful information ...

[Bill in Co]

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)
[]

Post by Bill in Co

Post by AdeW
Could unplugging and replugging make the soldering to the motherboard
worse?

Possibly, but probably not likely (and if it's already intermittent, it will
stay such, so it's not going to make much practical difference).

I'd disagree slightly - unplugging and replugging will put a _lot_ more
stress on the connector and its joints than just waggling. Though as SC
says, if it's already on the way out, it _might_ not matter so much.
(Or, it might kill it altogether, of course.)

OK. My point was if it's already flaky, it's probably not going to matter
too much, but you're right, it *could* make it worse. If it's that bad,
and assuming this PS/2 connector is the problem, I'm not sure what practical
solution exists, short of opening it all up and resoldering - a real PIA.
Even a "mickey mouse fix" (like gluing the mouse cable or an additional
plug-in adapter might not be doable, but if I were desperate, I might just
try :-)

Well, I guess one could go to a USB mouse, and just sidestep the problem.
Maybe that's the best solution, IF the problem was due to the mounted PS/2
connector.

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Bill in Co
I haven't been following all of the discussion, but you could probably
determine if an intermittent mouse problem is in the PS/2 connector or the
cable by wiggling the connector right where it plugs in, versus holding the
connector steady with one hand, and wiggling just the cable where it enters
the connector (while holding the connector firm in the other hand).

Trying another mouse would also give useful information ...

Absolutely. Wonder if he has tried that yet.

[AdeW]

OK.   My point was if it's already flaky, it's probably not going to matter
too much, but you're right, it *could* make it worse.   If it's that bad,
and assuming this PS/2 connector is the problem, I'm not sure what practical
solution exists, short of opening it all up and resoldering - a real PIA.

PIA is an acronym for Peripheral Interface Adapter?

[Bill in Co]

Post by AdeW

OK. My point was if it's already flaky, it's probably not going to matter
too much, but you're right, it *could* make it worse. If it's that bad,
and assuming this PS/2 connector is the problem, I'm not sure what practical
solution exists, short of opening it all up and resoldering - a real PIA.

PIA is an acronym for Peripheral Interface Adapter?

Ummm, no, that's not the one I was thinking of here. :-)
(PIA = pain in the ....)

[AdeW]

Post by Bill in Co
I haven't been following all of the discussion, but you could probably
determine if an intermittent mouse problem is in the PS/2 connector or the
cable by wiggling the connector right where it plugs in, versus holding the
connector steady with one hand, and wiggling just the cable where it enters
the connector (while holding the connector firm in the other hand).

I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

By being gentle with the mouse and letting it settle after i let go of
it with my hand i found it after using it for a few hours in a
position pointing to the left - angled more in the direction of the
cable - although it means me sticking out my elbow.

I think this puts less stress on the cable.

When i was using the computer in 2007 it was a different table which
meant the mouse cable went forwards till it reached the back of the
table rather than to the - left as I've had it recently.

[Bill in Co]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

It can. Or it might have been a poor connection in the first place (if it
were well soldered in the first place, wiggling wouldn't cause any havoc).

Post by AdeW
I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.

Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

It can.  Or it might have been a poor connection in the first place (if it
were well soldered in the first place, wiggling wouldn't cause any havoc).

Post by AdeW
I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.

On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.

So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.

I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse

[Bill in Co]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

It can. Or it might have been a poor connection in the first place (if it
were well soldered in the first place, wiggling wouldn't cause any havoc).

Post by AdeW
I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly. IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....

If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job" :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

It can. Or it might have been a poor connection in the first place (if it
were well soldered in the first place, wiggling wouldn't cause any havoc).

Post by AdeW
I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly.   IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job"  :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting the know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting the know the alt key
and I have found how the speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys.

I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and the isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.

Thing is though is that although when i last wrote I it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when the
keyboard would stop responding.

Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.

If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port? But then again
why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

[Bill in Co]

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW

Post by AdeW
I'd have thought waggling wiggling would have been the cause of the
cracked solder joint in the first place wouldn't it?

It can. Or it might have been a poor connection in the first place (if it
were well soldered in the first place, wiggling wouldn't cause any havoc).

Post by AdeW
I have managed to use computer in the last few days without the mouse
or keyboard going wrong. I noticed that the mouse cable had a acute
turn (if you liken it to a race track).

And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly. IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job" :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting the know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting the know the alt key
and I have found how the speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys.
I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and the isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.
Thing is though is that although when i last wrote I it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when the
keyboard would stop responding.
Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

But the services needed and used in MS-DOS are much more limited than those
needed and used in windows, which uses more drivers, etc.

Post by AdeW
Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.
If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port?

I wouldn't necessarily assume that (although if you wiggled the connector
and it magically cleared up, I might). But I don't know what specifically
to suggest, and someone else here might. Anyone?

Post by AdeW
But then again why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

But that's only a very limited use of the keyboard. I don't think it's
always an "all or nothing" defect.

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW
A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly.   IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job"  :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting the know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting the know the alt key
and I have found how to speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys in the control panel.

I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and the isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.

Thing is though is that although when i last wrote I it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when
the
keyboard would stop responding.

Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not
respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.

If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes
I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port? But then
again
why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by Bill in Co
And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly.   IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job"  :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting the know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting the know the alt key
and I have found how the speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys in the control panel.

I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and the isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.

Thing is though is that although when i last wrote I it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when the
keyboard would stop responding.

Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.

If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port? But then again
why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by Bill in Co
And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly.   IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job"  :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse-

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting the know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting the know the alt key
and I have found how to speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys in the control panel.

I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and the isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.

Thing is though is that although when i last wrote it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when the
keyboard would stop responding.

Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.

If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port? But then again
why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

[AdeW]

Post by AdeW

Post by Bill in Co
And sharp bends or turns can break some wire connections in some cases.
It's generally not advisable to do that.
Which reminds me - when you pull out a cable (ANY cable), never pull on the
cable itself, but instead, pull the connector.

A couple of days later the pointer got stuck and noticed that when i
moved the mouse forward the mouse cable kinda was in the way of the
keyboard cable and so when i lifted the mouse cable with my hand the
pointer started moving again.
On another day I left some earphone cables near the mouse cable which
stopped the mouse pointer moving till i moved the earphone cables
away.
So that just helps to confirm to me that there's something wrong with
the mouse.

Or its cable, possibly.   IF it's the cable (and not the mouse), then....
If you can't readily replace the mouse cable, which is likely, you might at
least be able to localize which part of the cable is causing the
intermittent problem (by bending it at different spots and monitoring it),
and if you can find a specific place where this problem happens, perhaps
glue a wooden shim on the cable at that point just to keep it fixed in that
position (but I'd classify this as a "quick and dirty, mickey mouse patch
job"  :-)

Post by AdeW
I suppose I will have to change the mouse at some point - unless i'm
careful.
I have though now swapped the cables round so that keyboard cable
doesn't get in the way of the mouse

I have been managing to use the computer without a mouse for a last
few weeks - I disconnected the mouse - getting to know the keyboard
shortcuts is a worthwhile challenge like getting to know the alt key
and I have found how to speed up the mouse pointer with the
accessibility mouse keys in the control panel.

I just wanted to see how the keyboard copes and to isolate that
problem when it wasn't just the mouse pointer that froze but also
parts of the keyboard would freeze except ctrl-alt-del and the
numberpad accessiblity mouse keys.

Thing is though is that although when i last wrote it seemed the
problem was with the mouse alone. I have still had occassions when the
keyboard would stop responding.

Shutting down to MS-DOS mode gets the keyboard working again in real
DOS mode though everytime - (except the once ocassion when it didn't
respond at the dos prompt till i pressed the alt key) or restarting
windows or the computer.

Like before Shift and Tab sometimes causes the keyboard to not respond
in the BT Yahoo web browser.

If the mouse isn't attached but the keyboard still sometimes freezes I
fear maybe there is something wrong with the ps/2 port? But then again
why does ctrl-alt-del and the numberpad mousekeys work?

[Robert Macy]

Post by AdeW
On Jul 29, 8:04 am, "J. P. Gilliver (John)"

Post by J. P. Gilliver (John)

Post by Dan W
Did you download and install new mouse driver(s) for your device.

Unless it has some unusual feature, or you want an unusual software
function/feature, I thought basic PS/2 mouse working was inherent in
Windows, from at least 95 (if not 3.x) on?
Has the OP tried another PS/2 mouse? The descriptions sounded to me very
much like a failing hardware problem (hope in the mouse not the socket).

I've put a cable tie around the table leg for the mouse cable rather
putting the cable under the modem cos i felt it might have been a bit
too close to the mouse when the mouse cable flexes and moves around
the mouse mat.
I am putting off and procrastinating unplugging my mouse from the ps/2
port and trying another (and using my local library PCs).
As you yourself  J. P. Gilliver (John) have said about the motherboard
"Sadly, the mouse socket is soldered into the motherboard; as anyone
who's worked on electronics knows, connectors soldered into boards
(at
least right-angle ones) tend to go flaky after a while. A mouse one,
where (however small) flexings of the cable are continuously applied,
is
more likely to go, I suppose. (The keyboard connector is part of the
same structure.) "
Could unplugging and replugging make the soldering to the motherboard
worse?
I do remember when i first switched on the computer in November 2009
(after not using it since May 2007) that i couldn't get past the DOS
Scandisk error message in real DOS because my Memorex keyboard wasn't
responding. Eventually after trying 2 other keyboards (and unplugged
the mouse), i put in the Memorex keyboard again and it worked - I was
never sure if perhaps originally i had just got the mouse and keyboard
port mixed up or that the port itself perhaps had a dry solder joint
or something.
When i did get Windows 98SE loaded though in November 2009 i wrote in
my diary about the mouse right clicking by itself and dragging, but
then the problem went away and i forgot about it until it started
again in recent weeks.
About the mouse drivers, well i suppose the Genius Easymouse has
worked for years without Genius drivers. Why is it that one needs to
update mouse drivers isn't it a fairly simple piece of software which
worked throughout the 1990s?
Windows 98 doesn't have a rollback feature like in XP incase when
changing drivers something goes wrong, unless someone knows how.
I was trying to find a webpage with Google which shows up my drivers
are up to date and tells the version number or date, but not much luck
so far. Anyone know of such a website?
mouse.drv          modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00
PM          version 9.01.0.000
msmouse.vxd     modified Friday, April 23, 1999 10:22:00 PM
version 4.10.1998
vmm32.vxd         modified Saturday, December 10, 2005 12:59:00 PM

Left apart long time, not work, then work!

Could be something as simple as oxidized connections.

Problem here with that. Leave metal exposed and connections fail.

All the push button switches on ALL the electronics don't work. Even
the adjustment switches on the monitors.

Could be you just need a good contact cleaner and reseat all your
connections.

If it is a broken cable, you'll have to replace anyway, so nothing is
lost.

[Alex]

You should try a new mouse. That's what I did, and it worked
for that very same problem.

Alex

Post by AdeW
My mouse becomes erratic a while after starting computer where the
pointer disappears into the corners and the context menu is randomly
activated.
So i use the accessibility mouse which uses the arrows on number pad
until eventually the keyboard stops responding but accessibility mouse
on the number pad still works.
I restart the computer and its all fine.
I tried Dr Watson but it just said nothing obviously unusual
Scan reg nothing wrong. Scandisk fine. System file checker just says
setupx.dll is wrong but i've read its a file not to worry about.
I thought it could be a problem in the internet explorer cache but
i've had this mouse problem when i had never started IE after
restarting computer.