P C Mouse query

[STEVIEBOY1]

Are there any computer experts on this website?

I Use an optical mouse with my laptop it has a wheel in the centre that lights up blue and has a red light that moves the cursor on the screen and upto recently it has worked fine, however in the past week or so, although the blue light remains on, the red light goes off and I can not move around the screen, ( I have to use the pad thing on the keyboard which I don't like to do.) The wires are all plugged in ok and it comes back a few minutes later. Does anyone know why this happens? Tks Steve.

 

[ainsworth74]

To me it sounds like it's died so unless it's still within warranty I would suggest just buying a new one. Though I suppose one thing to try before that would be to plug it into another computer and see if it works there.

 

[class377man]

I suggest trying a different USB port first if you haven't yet, although I agree it's probably knackered. You can a half decent mouse for under a tenner these days.

 

[blackfive460]

If it came with driver software, re-install it.

 

[table38]

Try it with another PC/laptop, see if the fault follows the mouse or the PC.

 

[londonmidland]

See if you have to update the driver software, if you have Windows Vista/7, you can check it via Windows Update.

 

[Clip]

Also see if there is anything blocking the optical bit - like a large bit of dust or something.

 

[142094]

Also see if there is anything blocking the optical bit - like a large bit of dust or something.

Most mice seem to pick up that crap after a while, usually sticks around the pads. Quick clean with a ruler or something similar normally does the trick.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

As an aside, if you know what you're doing, an optical mouse can be used to get around "inactivity screenlocks" dictated by IT departments...