My USB mouse doesn't work with an extension cord!

[chiggachu]

I have a Micro Innovations el cheapo USB opitcal mouse, and the cord is about 3 feet long. It barely makes it to my mid tower that's on the ground, and the cable is very taught. I tried using two different USB extension cords for it (10 ft. and 6ft.) but none of them even power the mouse.

Is it the mouse's problem, that it can't use any extension cord? Or is my extension just too great a length for the signal to reach the mouse?

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[blakeatwork]

I'd suggest signal strength, though you didn't mention if it was working beforehand..

 

[chiggachu]

yeah the mouse works fine without the extension...

 

[corkyg]

It is either a bad extension cable connector or it is too long for the signal strength.

Since it is USB, I would suggest you get a powered USB hub . . . connect it to the back of the computer, and then your mouse to the hub. That takes care of the loss of signal.

 

[chiggachu]

Still got the problem...bump

 

[corkyg]

OK . . . try the hub connected to the OTHER main USB port (There are usually two on most mobos.)

If that doesn't work, try a different USB mouse (borrow one if necessary.)

 

[chiggachu]

check this out...i got the mouse to power on at least when the computer first posts. The thing lights up, but when it reaches windows the light is gone and windows has the dialog "no Ps2 mouse connected". So after fiddling with the extension cord i figured out that i can get the mouse to work with the extension maybe 1 out of 20 tries. what the hell is the deal with this?! is there not enough power going thru my usb ports? and if this is the case, how can i juice up the power without having to shell out the extra bucks for a powered hub?

 

[Windogg]

Have you tried the cable with another USB device to check if it's a bad cable? Still, I am with the people that say there might not be enough juice to power the mouse.

Consider it a lesson that I and many other have learned. Going cheap now will just cost you more to fix later when it all goes wrong.

Windogg