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Left-click mouse button not working
My mouse has suddenly lost most of its functionality. Most especially, the left button has stopped working altogether except that it occasionally allows me to hightlight text and grab a dialog box to move it. Trying to navigate using the tab and arrow keys and the right mouse button and scroll wheel just aren't cutting it, especially since I need to be able to work in my various graphics programs. I tried a different mouse and changed USB ports, same problem. Restoring to an earlier restore point didn't work, either. The Device Manager says the mouse is working properly. A search for an updated mouse driver says that the best driver for my mouse is already installed. I tried to do a repair install using my CD, but when rebooting, the computer just ignores the CD, and I don't know how to do this manually. I'm on Vista Home Premium, 32-bit. Computer is a Dell Dimension C521. I don't know if it's relevant, but this happened just after I made a download from this page: http://homepage2.nifty.com/~mr_trout/models/poserModel.html However, in CG circles, this is known as a reputable site, and I've downloaded from it before without any problems. Sure would appreciate any help - this is driving me crazy! Thanks.
RoHe
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April 30th, 2009 12:00
If you reinstall Vista from your disk (or use Dell's Image Restore from the F8 menu) all your files, folders, everything you stored on the hard drive will be lost. So that's your 'if-all-else-fails" option. Advantage of Image Restore is it resets the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it, but a reinstall from the disk means you have to install all the drivers and software that Dell originially provided. So Image Restore is the way to go, but only when all else fails.
Reboot and press F12 before Vista starts to load. Look for "Utilities" partition (I presume it's there on Vista systems, like my XP system) and run all the hardware diagnostics. Copy down and post any error messages.
You may want to try a Vista Repair, rather than Image Restore or a reinstall because Repair shouldn't delete any of your personal files -but back everything up first just to be safe. There's a good tutorial on Vista Repair here.
Ron
OldMom
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April 30th, 2009 13:00
Since I'm unwilling yet to lose my personal files (which are backed up, fortunately), it looks like my last step before heading off to a repair shop is the F12 diagnostic test. I was just reading about it here:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dimc521/en/SM_EN/tshoot.htm#wp1043338
Thanks so much for hanging in with me, Ron. I'll be back!
OldMom
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April 30th, 2009 15:00
So does this mean some kind of internal hardware error, then?
keithg2
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April 30th, 2009 16:00
deleted
RoHe
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May 1st, 2009 10:00
And you know that these mice work on another PC, right...??
Ron
OldMom
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May 1st, 2009 12:00
Edited to add:
What's really weird is that occasionally I can use the left button to highlight and copy text, and once in a while I can use it to move a window or dialog box.
RoHe
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May 1st, 2009 13:00
You could test on a laptop if that's handy, Or maybe you have a neighbor who can test them for you, or lend you their working mouse?
Aren't computers fun? :emotion-15:
Ron
RoHe
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May 1st, 2009 13:00
I responded based on your message in the email notice. So I didn't see your edit until just now.
Now that sounds like a hardware problem. If you have it, blow some canned air into the opening around the mouse buttons. There may be a dust bunny living in there that's affecting the switch.
Ron
OldMom
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May 1st, 2009 19:00
RoHe
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May 2nd, 2009 13:00
Glad we could help and the new rodent works, and it wasn't something more serious.
And don't look at it as 'splurging". You're stimulating the economy! :emotion-2:
Ron