XP Serial Mouse Issue - Insight Appreciated.

[Woodchuck2000]

I've just installed Windows XP Pro on an old P200/96.
It's AT so it uses a serial mouse. Windows XP has a bizzare issue with the mouse where it fails to initialise on start up. It works if I remove the device in the Device Manager and then re-boot, but then fails again on subsequent re-boots. Any ideas?

 

[MGMorden]

Try moving it to another port maybe? I don't know. I would have never guessed anybody would be using a serial mouse with Windows XP. Last time I used one of those little buggers it was in DOS 5 .

 

[johnlog]

You can buy a PS2 optical mouse at Staples or Office Depot and they generally cost less than $20. If your computer can use an optical or ball mouse that is the way to go.

You may have to download an XP serial mouse driver from the mouse manufacturer web site if they have one.

 

[Eug]

This irritates me to no end. Mine boots up fine, but sometimes when I switch users I lose the mouse. I finally gave up and am using a cheap USB optical mouse.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

I've got any number of PS/2 and USB mice floating around. The overriding problem is that, being an AT machine, it has neither USB or PS2 Connectors. I'll try using com2 if I can dig up an old 9-15 pin adaptor.
I'd though about getting a serial mouse driver, the only problem is that I can't think of anywhere that would provide such a thing.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Woodchuck2000
I've got any number of PS/2 and USB mice floating around. The overriding problem is that, being an AT machine, it has neither USB or PS2 Connectors. I'll try using com2 if I can dig up an old 9-15 pin adaptor.
I'd though about getting a serial mouse driver, the only problem is that I can't think of anywhere that would provide such a thing.

I have no idea if this would help or not, but check to see if there's a switch on the bottom of your mouse, to switch it between two slightly different modes of operation. Try changing that (if it exists) and see if it helps (probably won't help, but it just might).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Woodchuck2000
I've got any number of PS/2 and USB mice floating around. The overriding problem is that, being an AT machine, it has neither USB or PS2 Connectors. I'll try using com2 if I can dig up an old 9-15 pin adaptor.
I'd though about getting a serial mouse driver, the only problem is that I can't think of anywhere that would provide such a thing.

Download MouseWare 9.61 (or newer) from Logitech's web site. I have to use those drivers to use an older Logitech C7-series serial 3-button mouse on an older system running Win98se. Default Win98se drivers will detect the device when doing "Add New Hardware", but on next re-boot, the mouse isn't found. With MouseWare installed, all is kosher. (Actually not true, sometimes the keyboard isn't found on re-start, but that might be a Win98se issue too. AT keyboards are now installed as HID devices, instead of the good old VKD.VXD device-driver.)

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Download MouseWare 9.61 (or newer) from Logitech's web site

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded them and switched the machine on to install them and lo and behold, the mouse worked on startup... Ah, the joys of intermittent faults. I'll install them if it stops working again.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[MGMorden]

Originally posted by: johnlog
You can buy a PS2 optical mouse at Staples or Office Depot and they generally cost less than $20. If your computer can use an optical or ball mouse that is the way to go.

Actually if you're in a pinch you can get them cheaper. Big Lots (yeah, I know) had a bunch of different choices of mice and keyboards last time I checked. I picked up my mom a $10 optical ps/2 mouse that worked great. I also picked up a pretty spiffy GE ball mouse as a spare for myself for $6. Heck they've got cordless opticals for $20. Know that you're not getting Micrsoft or Logitech (the company I get most my peripherals from) when you buy from here, but the stuff usually does work pretty good.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

I picked up my mom a $10 optical ps/2 mouse that worked great.

Alas, I'm yet to see a PS/2 mouse, optical or otherwise, that works without a PS/2 port

 

[MGMorden]

Originally posted by: Woodchuck2000

I picked up my mom a $10 optical ps/2 mouse that worked great.

Alas, I'm yet to see a PS/2 mouse, optical or otherwise, that works without a PS/2 port

I know; I was replying to the other guys statement. I already stated that I really didn't have any advice besides switching ports.

But then again if you hove PCI slots in that badboy (and being a P233 I'm sure you've got them; I had a 486 once upon a time w/ PCI slots), then a USB mouse and card is only a pricewatch away . . . (but I hate USB mice. personally I'd say you're better off if you can get the serial working, but it is an option if all else fails).