Can a USB mouse take out a USB port? Or maybe the port took out the mouse...

Maggotry

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2001
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Either way, my MS intellimouse explorer died tonight. I grabbed a spare out the closet and plugged it into the same port that the now dead mouse came out of. It was not recognized. I'm thinking "Oh, the mice must be good and just the port went out". Nope. The MS mouse is dead and so is the USB port. The USB header is fine, because the other port on the header works. I want to know if something could go foul in the mouse to kill a USB port. Or maybe the USB port died and killed the mouse. What's the deal here?

Since I'm in the market for a new mouse, what's the favorite around here? I really like the Intellimouse Explorer, but I'm open to other stuff. No cordless mice, though.
 

wetcat007

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2002
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I've never heard of a mouse killing a USB port before, I got a logitech MX500 and it's great.
 

Maggotry

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Dec 5, 2001
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Originally posted by: Tabb
Is the port like, clean of any debris?

Yes. The troubleshooting is done. I know the mouse is dead (tried it in multiple ports and 2 pc's). I know the port is also dead (tried various devices in it). I just can't believe both the mouse and USB port "coincidentally" died at the same time. One had to have taken out the other.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
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Mar 4, 2000
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USB uses power - and a short in the mouse could take them both out. Or, if the USB controller somehow sent the wrong voltage to the mouse, that could cause them to go. How is the other USB port? If it is out, then I suspect the controller. If it is good, then get a hub and go from that good port.
 

Maggotry

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Dec 5, 2001
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Originally posted by: corky-g
USB uses power - and a short in the mouse could take them both out. Or, if the USB controller somehow sent the wrong voltage to the mouse, that could cause them to go. How is the other USB port? If it is out, then I suspect the controller. If it is good, then get a hub and go from that good port.

If I remember right, the USB port can provide 500mA of current. If a wire shorted in the mouse, then I guess that could be enough power to kill the port. Most likely, the mouse cable shorted, which killed it, which caused a current spike on the port, which killed it. The other port on the same header is fine.