mouse randomly works/becomes undetected

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
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so with my mice, they will work for a while.. then totally randomly, my computer will stop detecting them and give the error message "windows cannot detect a usb device, please click this message for further help"... i've tried multiple mice and every port on my computer, and eventually, the mouse will stop working, then work again (right now im using mouse #2 cause windows won't detect it :()

any ideas on what could be causing this? rig is in sig, and in addition, i have a hercules GTXP soundcard with a breakout box.. i attach my mice/keyboard to the breakout box (not sure if that's worth noting or not)
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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The cheap USB connectors that are used are awful. Try getting some good contact cleaner/enhancer (Caig Labs, www.caig.com , stuff is GREAT - mcmaster.com carries it and can often be found on eBay ) and see if that helps.

.bh.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,342
12,927
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i tested it on my roommates' computers.. no luck there, either... could it be a dead mouse? the power comes on (mouse has an LED light on it, plus its optical)... but no detection. also, could you send a link to that cleaner stuff? i couldnt find it.. my searching skills suck, apparently :(
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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McMaster doesn't use brand names if they can avoid it (so when/if they switch to a different brand, they can reuse the same stock numbers - look under "electrical contact cleaners sealants")... Not cheap but it's the best. The Caig Labs stuff is on page 908 with part numbers 8381Txx.
. Get the kit if you can afford it as you will have something for every purpose. Light bulbs shine brigher and last longer and don't get stuck in the sockets - treated batteries make flashlights shine brighter and longer and you almost never have to shake them to get them to work. Treated switches can carry more current.
. Here's an experiment if you use a space heater or hair dryer (any high current device): 1- Run device at max power for 5 or 10 mnutes. 2- feel the power plug and outlet's temperatures. 3- Let the outlet and plug cool to room temp as they were before the test. While that is happening, clean the prongs on the plug well with Deoxit and then wet them down lightly with Deoxit and plug them in and out of the socket to clean the contacts inside. Then wipe the prongs off and treat with a small drop of Gold. While prongs are still wet, plug and unplug a few more times to treat the contacts inside to some gold. Lightly wipe the prongs. When both have cooled completely, plug the appliance back in and run at full power for the same time as the first test. If the plug and outlet aren't cooler than after the first test, I'll eat a tube of Gold! This means that your appliance will run more efficiently - less power wasted in heating high resistance contacts - safer too. The older the plug and outlet, the more improvement should be noted.
. Edge card connectors on computer add-on cards (video cards, sound cards, flash memory cards, memory modules etc.) slide in easier and are more reliable. All electronic connectors around the house, vehicles and PC can be improved. And on and on. I even used some Deoxit to treat the handlebars on my bike (had a cheap chrome job with lots of microscopic holes and had started rusting thru the pinholes) - no new rust after 1 year! Doesn't take much to treat new surfaces. Monster Cable connectors used to come pretreated with Pro Gold - IDK about now. And they used to sell a kit with a bottle of red and gold (IDK the concentration).

Cleaner/Improver is the Deoxit product (aka Deoxit Red) - the large cans are diluted to 5 or 10%, the needle bottle is 100%.

The Sealant is the Deoxit Shield product (aka PreserveIT or Deoxit Blue)

The improver for plated contacts is Deoxit Gold (nee Pro Gold).

The kit is called the Technician's Survival kit on the Caig site.

The diluted products are generally all you'll need to use.

.bh.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,342
12,927
136
much thanks :)

edit: would i be able to use the cleaner on the usb ports, as well as the connectors... using a qtip or something to that effect? (yes i know, dumb question)