Mouse going, now no monitor signal

[Lazy8s]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Troubleshooting starter

1. Overview of the problem
   (brief "Cliff Notes" description of the problem)
   My mouse seems to "disconnect" and then the monitor lost signal and went to sleep.
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   (give the "big picture." Describe the problem and its symptoms in detail. Remember that details are often helpful:
   Often when I start any game, my mouse intermittently seems to "disconnect". It just disappears off of the screen and the lights turn off. It happens for up to 20min (usually a lot less like 4-5min) and then stops and I am fine. Today however, the mouse disappeared again about 30min into gaming and then the monitor gave the "No input" message and went to sleep. The mouse never came back and I tried plugging it into all 4 open USB ports and got no response. After a hard reboot, the mouse is not giving me issues yet.
   
   The hardware other than the mouse was purchases Aug '07, the mouse was purchased July '08.
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   (tell us if it ever worked right. If it did, tell us any changes that you think could've caused the issue, such as new hardware or software you installed, or a possible virus attack, or anything else you might suspect)
   Virus scan and AdAware come back clean. I think it may be the mouse but I don't want to replace a $70 mouse if it is something else, money doesn't grow on grad. research!
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   (if it's a repeatable problem, what actions will make it happen? If it's not entirely repeatable, have you noticed any patterns or trends?)
   Semi-random; any time I start a game the mouse freezes at random intervals for the first 20min or so. The monitor seems completely random
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   None, I don't have a backup mouse (I know, I know) and the walmart (again laugh it out) in town isn't 24hr. I am not willing to drive 50min tonight just for a mouse, stupid small college towns.
   
   
   
6. My software:
   • Windows Vista 32bit SP1
   • Antivirus : McAfee Enterprise
   • Firewall: McAfee Enterprise
     (both required and obtained though special license with the college, I know they suck but they are not optional, cannot be turned off; only uninstalled
   
   
   
7. My hardware
   • HP Pavilion a6120n with added components
     
   • w/e comes with a6120n
   • 2.0ghz C2D, not OC'd
   • eVga 8800
   • 4gig of w/e comes with a6120n
   • Antec True Power 2.0 550watt
   • Microsoft Sidewinder