Mouse regularly stops responding

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

Hello,
I've got an old(ish) PC (XP SP2), and since I've started using it again, the mouse regularly stops responding. Usually, disconnecting and reconnecting it solves the problem, but other times it takes a reboot. At times it just stops working, for no reason, other times it does so when connecting an external USB device like a flash drive.
I now tried connecting it to the PS/2 port (using an adapter) in the hope that this solves the problem, but it still stops responding..
I hadn't used the PC for a year or so, and have been using it again for maybe half a year..without any problems..now though, since I moved the PC to another room, it's been causing problems.
Also before I stopped using it, certain keyboards only worked in the front USB ports, but the mouse was never a problem until I started using the PC again..and up to now, both keyboard and mouse worked reliably when connected to the front.
I have no idea what could be causing this, perhaps too little power? (I think it's a 350V power supply) Or what else could be causing this problem?
It's really rather frustrating Confused

Hoping for replies (:
El

kenmabmcc · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Is this an optical mouse ?

And if so, what surface [and colour of that surface] do you use it on ?

goretsky · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:28 pm Post subject:

Hello,

What brand and model of computer is this?

Does anything show up in the Event Viewer (filename: EVENTVWR.MSC) or Device Manager (filename: DEVICEMGR.MSC) when this problem occurs?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1576 Location: London

Have you tried any other mice?
It's probably worth paying a couple of $/£/Euro or whatever you use for money for a cheap test mouse.
Also;
Does your current mouse need third party drivers?
Are there any other system slowdowns?

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

No, the mouse is a trackball. I haven't gotten round to trying another mouse, which would be a good start Laughing

The computer isn't from a certain company as such, a computer shop put it together for me..
I shall check the Event Viewer and Device Manager (:
The mouse is actually plug and play, though drivers are provided with it just in case..(not installed on the computer)
I haven't really noticed any other slowdowns, the computer is somewhat slow as is (little RAM, slow processor etc), but nothing unusual.
Thanks for all the replies Smile

El

micker377 · Joined: May 27, 2005 Posts: 993

"and up to now, both keyboard and mouse worked reliably when connected to the front."
By this, do you mean plugged into front USB ports, or into a USB hub? It sounds like you are not getting enough power to the USB ports. How many, and where are any other USB peripherals? Are the mouse and keyboard USB 1 or 2? Are the USB ports on the computer USB 1 or 2? If you are using any kind of USB add-in board, it's possible that the "Turn off power to this unit to conserve power" is set.
We need more details to start determining your problem.

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

I mean the front USB ports, I'm not using a hub..
There are four USB ports at the back (built into the mobo), and two in the front..so no add-in boards..
The only connected USB devices are the mouse (in a front port), a printer (in a back port) and occasionally a flash drive (both front and back, usually in the back).
I've tried various arrangements, and they make no difference (the mouse doesn't work altogether in the back).
The keyboard is a PS/2 keyboard, and isn't causing any problems right now. I'm not sure whether the mouse is USB 1 or 2 Confused

..the actual product description only says it's USB..(it's a Logitech TrackMan Wheel)
I'm afraid I also don't know what speed the USB ports are, but I never get pop-ups informing me that a device could perform faster..
How can I check what speed the mouse and USB ports are? Laughing

El

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

You need to check a setting to be sure the USB ports are not shutting down to save power.

1. In Windows, click on Start > Control Panel (or Start > Settings > Control Panel).
2. Double-click on System, then open the Hardware tab.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the + at Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
5. Right-click USB Root Hub and select Properties.
6. Open the Power Management tab.
7. Clear the checkmark from Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
8. Click OK.
9. Repeat this procedure for the USB 2.0 Hub.

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

I've checked those settings, and it was indeed activated on all ports..I've now deactivated it, but the computer doesn't detect the mouse at all anymore.
Although, now that I've changed that setting, I do get a pop-up informing me that the USB device was not recognised whenever I attach the mouse.
I'm currently using an old PS/2 mouse, and that stays on perfectly normally..so I'm guessing the problem lies with the mouse? Though it works fine on another computer..so perhaps it's the mouse and this computer together?
It may be an idea to try another trackball..or another USB mouse..
El

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

El,
If you can get the ball out of the device, clean out the dirt under the ball.
Almost NO-body ever cleans those things. They can get really Funky!
( schmutzig )

Cleaning the ball-type mouse is the first thing I have to do when I visit a new customer. Most people will just buy a new mouse before they will take the time and effort to clean the old one.

Just a thought.

Doc Cool

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

Put the USB mouse in before you cold boot the computer.
There might be something in the BIOS to detect if either a PS/2 or a USB mouse is connected.

I'd look in the BIOS under input devices to see if a USB mouse is enabled, then also in Control Panel, look under mice to see what is listed there.
Device Manager might also be a place to look.

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

Thanks for the thought Smile

I'm afraid that can't possibly be the reason though..cleaning out the dirt from under the ball is something I always do Laughing

Whether I actually boot with or without the mouse connected didn't make a difference up to now, although I never got that USB device malfunctioning message before either (with the mouse)..so perhaps I should try booting with it again..
I'll try looking in those places (:
I have yet to check the event viewer and that from before, too Confused

El

goretsky · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:24 am Post subject:

Hello,

Were you able to determine the brand and model of the motherboard in the computer?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

yes, the motherboard's a PCCHIPS M789CLU (V1.2) mobo..
still have to get round to checking the other things Confused

El

goretsky · Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:26 am Post subject:

Hello,

From looking at the specifications for the M789CLU (V1.2) motherboard, it appears you are dealing with an old (circa 2003) system. It does support USB 2.0, according to the manual, so I do not think it is a problem with device recognition but rather it could be a power problem.

Specifically, I suspect the USB port is no longer providing a +5 Volts DC, 500 milliAmpere electrical connection. I do not know if it is the volts or the mA that's low, though (or both). This should be easy to test, though, by plugging the USB peripherals which do not work with this computer into another one that is known to have working USB ports and see if they correctly operate.

As to the nature of the problem, it could be that the ATX power supply is no longer providing enough power on the +5 VDC rail to power the USB ports, or it could be a capacitor failing--the hardware is from the vintage where this was a problem, and PC Chips was one of the cheapest manufacturers around, so this is a likely failure mode for the motherboard.

You can test to see if the problem is the power supply by replacing it with a known-to-be-working model and see if that makes any difference. As for the capacitors, you will need to inspect them on the motherboard to see if they are bulging on the top or sides, or have a stain or greasy material on them which is reddish-brown to black. If the problem is with the capacitors, then these will need to be desoldered and replaced so the motherboard is once again fully functional.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

I dislike when I'm no longer notified of new replies and I forget to check back because the problem's no longer an issue Confused

All other tested mice worked with that computer..and the mouse that didn't work there works elsewhere..
Of course, I still don't know the reason..but I know it's not the mouse itself as it works perfectly on all other computers. It probably was the power supply, or something to do with the motherboard (though I can't see anything wrong with the capacitors), the whole computer was very cheaply put together. It started having other glitches, so we've now decided to replace it (:
El

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Replace it? That's the best thing you've said so far! Laughing

It's very possible that with that mobo, there's just not enough power being supplied to the USB ports. Some devices that need very little power will work, but others that need MORE power, will not work at all or be intermittent.

Again, , , replacing that PC sounds like a very good idea. Idea

Cheers!

The Doctor Cool

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

Then I suppose the lack of power was to blame..some way or other..
And the PC is being replaced Laughing

Either it'll be completely replaced, or all that will be left by the time I'm done is the case..with completely new contents Very Happy

El