Basically, this is a mouse that can connect either via USB (default) and also has a USB-PS/2 converter.

So I connected via USB and that worked well for months.

Then something bad happened.  The only time I've ever dropped the laptop happened with the mouse plugged in the USB port, and it bent it in some way.  Ever since, I've had to plug in the USB mouse "the right way" and wiggle it until the Infrared light on the mouse came on and stayed on.  Then I knew it was working, and as long as it didn't wiggle out of position, it was fine.

Anyway, the amount of wiggling and maneuvering to get the mouse to work in the USB port has increased over time, and finally, I can't get it to work in the USB port anymore.

So now I'm trying to get it to work via PS/2.  However, it doesn't seem to be working.

It worked once, but now I've moved the laptop to a new location (unplugged the mouse), and now I can't get it to work again.

The software for the mouse is correctly installed, as is the software for Synaptics touchpad (both latest versions as well).  Basically, the external mouse software will only work if it detects the mouse; I can't install the software unless Windows realizes the mouse is there.  I say 'install the software', but it's already installed...it just won't /work/ unless it can detect the mouse.

Now, if I plug the mouse in via the USB-PS/2 converter while the computer is on, the infrared light comes on and works perfectly.  So to me, that means that the cord works, that the mouse has power, that the socket works, that everything should be working.  But one of the bad things about the PS/2 connection is that it only detects the mouse when booting up.

If I turn off the computer, and boot up, the infrared light does NOT come on, the mouse is not detected by windows, the touchpad is used (even though BIOS says to ignore touchpad when a PS/2 mouse is present), and basically it's as if the thing isn't plugged in at all.  I can plug it in while it's turned on, verify that the infrared light is on, and reboot the computer even (the light stays on and it still isn't detected), but if I shut down, and turn off the power, the mouse will not be 'turned on' or detected when the computer boots up again.

I wondered if the USB-PS/2 connection needed 'wiggling' to align properly, but like I said, when it's plugged into the PS/2, the light comes on and stays on, so to me, that's "connected".

I'm wondering what my options are.  I have no other USB devices, so I can't test the ports.  I haven't tested an alternative PS/2 mouse yet, but I could if I needed to (I'd have to borrow one from another computer).  I'd rather not spend money on anything (new mouse, external USB port, replacement internal USB port, etc.)  I don't feel like I should have to, as it DID work on the PS/2 port once (the light would come on when computer booted up, detected by windows, touchpad turned off, everything as it should be).  However it did take a bit of doing to get it to work and I forgot what I did that solved the problem then.  As I recall, it just randomly started working when I booted the computer (I had given up, but left it plugged in the PS/2 port, and was using the touchpad).

When I'm trying to plug it into the USB port, or when it boots up with the PS/2 port (and isn't detected), the infrared light will come on for the splittest of seconds, but won't stay on and the mouse won't work.  I have no idea what this means.

One final thing, in case it relates in any way.  The computer's battery has gone bad (it's still in there though because it looks ugly having a hole there), and it runs on AC power only.  But like I said, it worked in the PS/2 port before, so I don't know why it shouldn't again, simply because I unplugged it.

I've been getting by with the touchpad for basic Windows applications, but the external mouse is incredibly useful for things like video games where the extra 3 buttons, the mousewheel, and the fact that I can have my hands further apart and am just more precise and faster with an external mouse all make using the touchpad a joke in comparison.

If I find my own answer to this problem, or if someone gives an answer that works, I will reply and say so.  If this post does not have a reply from me, then the problem is still unanswered.

 

EDIT: System Specs

Windows ME

Inspiron 8100 (I know my system tag if it's okay to give it)

Any other system specs really needed for this problem?  I don't think so, but if so, just ask.

Message Edited by Thortok2000 on 01-25-2004 05:49 AM