Does XP detect a serial mouse?

[Sher]

This is a learning experience for me. I wasn't sure how
to post my replies and I got it all confused that's why I
reposted my question in a new post.

But, hey, I not to old to learn, just not old enough to
know when to give up.

So far I've learned...

To ask the question precisly with as much detail as I can
(if I'm able to determine what those are).

To read more carefully.

And, I hope I've got this right now, to post my reply to
each response in the same thread section or whatever it's
called.

The only thing I haven't learned today is how to fix my
mouse problem and how to recognize that it's a hopeless
cause.

Gotta sign off. Thank you for your attempts to help me
today.

Sher

 

[Sher]

I didn't want to say this cause he's a really great guy
and he tries really hard... my husband put our computer
together with a "friend" (now a distant memory). So, now
I'm finding it has a few peculiarities and this must be
one of them.

The mouse is on a serial port connection with an adapter
to convert it from a serial connector to a PS/2, actually
the keyboard has the same thing.

Really gotta go now, will check back tomorrow.

Sher.

-----Original Message-----


Sher,

Is this the keyboard that came with the computer

originally? Some computers had

 

[Chuck]

I didn't want to say this cause he's a really great guy
and he tries really hard... my husband put our computer
together with a "friend" (now a distant memory). So, now
I'm finding it has a few peculiarities and this must be
one of them.

The mouse is on a serial port connection with an adapter
to convert it from a serial connector to a PS/2, actually
the keyboard has the same thing.

Really gotta go now, will check back tomorrow.

Sher.

Sher,

OK, what we know so far is:
1) The mouse is a PS/2 model, using a PS/2 to serial adapter.
2) You can't use a PS/2 port, cause the computer is home built, and has no PS/2
ports.
3) You're running XP, and the mouse isn't being detected when it boots up.

I, personally, have setup several home (custom) XP systems (as opposed to
corporate systems where everything worked cause everything was cloned), none
with serial mice. The serial ports I've worked with under XP, the software has
instructed to "install software before connecting hardware", as opposed to USB,
where instructions said "connect hardware then insert CD when instructed" or
similar.

I've worked with serial mice before XP, though, and have generally found it best
to install the drivers, then restart the system.

You say you've "reformatted my harddrive and now have no mouse". What operating
system did you have before, did the mouse work then?

Be patient and persistent, we may yet find a solution.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Rocket J. Squirrel]

I thought there was more to the story. In these groups, there often is.

Rocky

 

[Chuck]

I thought there was more to the story. In these groups, there often is.

Rocky

The trick is getting the story out.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

Get rid of that old serial mouse and get a proper PS/2 mouse!!! Good Lord,
they only cost $10 or $15. You wasted that much money on beer the last time
you went down to your local tavern. Pass up a night's carousing and buy a
new mouse. You will feel better in the morning when you wake up without a
hangover for a change.

If you really have no PS/2 mouse port, why are you even trying to use XP on
such a relic? Get rid of that old clunker and buy a new computer. Your
keyboard is probably so old the keycaps have been worn off, and you don't
really know what you're typing most of the time.

 

[D.Currie]

As a PS/2 mouse, I'd agree with you. I'm not sure about the serial bit.

I am. And as a matter of fact, you can plug the serial mouse in after bootup
and it will work, where the PS2 has to be plugged in a bootup for it to be
detected.

But Windows, and especially Windows XP, will detect any generic mouse with
basic drivers, and many name-brand mice with specific drivers, without the
user needing to load anything at all. Think about an XP install. You have to
use the mouse during the setup phase. This is not a software problem, unless
somebody specifically removed something.

Heck, I just did an install with a Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse and
they detected and installed without any input on my part. Including support
for the extra buttons that I'll never use.

 

[Chuck]

On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 20:02:02 -0700, "Donald McDaniel"

Get rid of that old serial mouse and get a proper PS/2 mouse!!! Good Lord,
they only cost $10 or $15. You wasted that much money on beer the last time
you went down to your local tavern. Pass up a night's carousing and buy a
new mouse. You will feel better in the morning when you wake up without a
hangover for a change.

If you really have no PS/2 mouse port, why are you even trying to use XP on
such a relic? Get rid of that old clunker and buy a new computer. Your
keyboard is probably so old the keycaps have been worn off, and you don't
really know what you're typing most of the time.

Donald,

Please read the first post by the OP.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Chuck]

I am. And as a matter of fact, you can plug the serial mouse in after bootup
and it will work, where the PS2 has to be plugged in a bootup for it to be
detected.

But Windows, and especially Windows XP, will detect any generic mouse with
basic drivers, and many name-brand mice with specific drivers, without the
user needing to load anything at all. Think about an XP install. You have to
use the mouse during the setup phase. This is not a software problem, unless
somebody specifically removed something.

Heck, I just did an install with a Logitech wireless keyboard & mouse and
they detected and installed without any input on my part. Including support
for the extra buttons that I'll never use.

Maybe actual serial mice work that way. I've worked with PS/2 mice on serial
adapters, and IME, they aren't that predictable. On hand built systems, even
less so.

Right now, I think the answer will be in did the mouse work before the harddrive
was reformatted. And was it reformatted from XP?

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Donald McDaniel]

On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 20:02:02 -0700, "Donald McDaniel"



Donald,

Please read the first post by the OP.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Why is he using a "PS/2" trackball with an adapter which enables him to use
a serial port instead of just using a PS/2 Port? Perhaps he can't find his
PS/2 port?

 

[Donald McDaniel]

On Wed, 7 Jul 2004 20:02:02 -0700, "Donald McDaniel"



Donald,

Please read the first post by the OP.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, my comments were meant "tounge-in-cheek."

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----


Maybe actual serial mice work that way. I've worked with PS/2 mice on serial
adapters, and IME, they aren't that predictable. On hand built systems, even
less so.

Right now, I think the answer will be in did the mouse work before the harddrive
was reformatted. And was it reformatted from XP?

Cheers,
Chuck

Yes, the mouse worked fine (and still does on other
computers) until I reformatted and changed the partition,
so yes a lot of old stuff was removed going all the way
back to Windows 95.

Sher

 

[Sher]

scroll to bottom for response - I'm getting the hang of
the order now, even though responding at the top makes
more sense to me.

-----Original Message-----


Sher,

OK, what we know so far is:
1) The mouse is a PS/2 model, using a PS/2 to serial adapter.
2) You can't use a PS/2 port, cause the computer is home built, and has no PS/2
ports.
3) You're running XP, and the mouse isn't being detected when it boots up.

I, personally, have setup several home (custom) XP systems (as opposed to
corporate systems where everything worked cause everything was cloned), none
with serial mice. The serial ports I've worked with under XP, the software has
instructed to "install software before connecting hardware", as opposed to USB,
where instructions said "connect hardware then insert CD when instructed" or
similar.

I've worked with serial mice before XP, though, and have generally found it best
to install the drivers, then restart the system.

You say you've "reformatted my harddrive and now have no mouse". What operating
system did you have before, did the mouse work then?

Be patient and persistent, we may yet find a solution.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
.
Yes, you've got the whole picture now (I hope). It's

difficult to know what's important. I'd have told you it
was a homemade clone in the beginning if I'd know it was
pertinent.

The operating system (if I understand the question) was
XPHome, updated from Windows98, updated from Windows95.
Is that what your asking me?

The mouse worked great through all these changes. I see
you mentioning the mouse's CD, but if I had one I can't
find it. I'm very organized at hanging onto that stuff,
but I originally bought the mouse for my husband's work
computer and if it had a CD he may have not brought it
back home from work.

So, since my mouse used to be able to be detected even
after I'd boot up (cause sometimes it'd come loose and I'd
have to push it in, then it'd work immediately without
restarting) then would uninstalling the drive and
unpluging then reinstalling and then replugging make any
sense to try?

Sher

 

[Sher]

-----Original Message-----


Get rid of that old serial mouse and get a proper PS/2 mouse!!! Good Lord,
they only cost $10 or $15. You wasted that much money on beer the last time
you went down to your local tavern. Pass up a night's carousing and buy a
new mouse. You will feel better in the morning when you wake up without a
hangover for a change.

If you really have no PS/2 mouse port, why are you even trying to use XP on
such a relic? Get rid of that old clunker and buy a new computer. Your
keyboard is probably so old the keycaps have been worn off, and you don't
really know what you're typing most of the time.

--
Donald L McDaniel
Post all replies to the Newsgroup, so that all may be informed.
Remove the obvious to reply by email.
========================================================== =====

I guess you didn't get the part the we are extremely
financially chanllenged right now because of my recent
disability. I shouldn't really have to explain why
because some things are personal and painful. I'm just
trying to solve my computer problem so we can try to sell
some things on ebay to help us out and I can't do it
without a working mouse.

Your correct, I don't always understand completely, but
I'm trying to learn because it's the only option I have,
so sorry for your inconvience. If you want to buy me a
new computer I'll tell you where to send it ok?

I guess this is a bit sarcastic, I'm sorry, but really you
are terribly sarcastic too.

Sher.