Can XP handle two mice on separate channels?

[Norman Swartz]

I have developed a case of tennis elbow from using an arm-motion mouse (a
wireless optical mouse) and have switched to a thumb-motion (wireless)
trackball. The trackball causes no pain, but I cannot get the fine control
needed for precise graphics work. I would like to be able to switch easily
and quickly between the two devices. Is it possible to (1) connect one to
the PS/2 port and the other to a USB port, (2) set them to operate on
separate channels, (3) set them individually to different sensitivities,
and finally (4) have them each control the same cursor?

Thanks.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Norman,

I have done this in the past and it worked fine, but not with two
wireless mice. The only way to know is to try it out. If it doesn't
work, try one wired and one wireless.

 

[Galen]

In Norman Swartz <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I have developed a case of tennis elbow from using an arm-motion
mouse (a wireless optical mouse) and have switched to a thumb-motion
(wireless) trackball. The trackball causes no pain, but I cannot get
the fine control needed for precise graphics work. I would like to
be able to switch easily and quickly between the two devices. Is it
possible to (1) connect one to the PS/2 port and the other to a USB
port, (2) set them to operate on separate channels, (3) set them
individually to different sensitivities, and finally (4) have them
each control the same cursor?

Thanks.

1) Yes, I do so on a laptop often.
2) That will be done automatically.
3) I don't think that you can have separate settings for them though. Maybe
if you used hardware profiles but that's way too complex.
4) Yes, they will. The second mouse doesn't add a second cursor.

Galen
--

"And that recommendation, with the exaggerated estimate of my ability
with which he prefaced it, was, if you will believe me, Watson, the
very first thing which ever made me feel that a profession might be
made out of what had up to that time been the merest hobby."

Sherlock Holmes