Enable mouse in Safe Mode?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ron C
  • Start date Start date
R

Ron C

Hi,

Win XP home, service pack 1, I got a pretty bad malware infestation a
few days ago and need to run some scans in Safe Mode, but my mouse does
not function in Safe Mode.

I normally use a touchpad, but from past experience with earlier Win OSs
I knew it wouldn't work in safe mode, so I replaced it with a generic
serial mouse, which works fine when I boot to normal Windows, but in
safe mode the cursor sits immovably in the center of the screen.

So I removed the serial mouse (in Device manager as well as physically
disconnecting), shut down (power off), booted to Windows and shut down
again, at which point I re-connected the mouse so Windows would
recognize it at bootup. Everythings looks good, but still no go in safe
mode.

I seem to remember that in Win95 and 98 the mouse worked in safe mode --
a bit sluggish or erratic sometimes, but at least you could point and
click with it. Is this not available in XP? Or have I missed
something?

Although some of the malware tools I have respond to the keyboard in
safe mode, the ones I most want to use require mouse input, so I'd be
grateful for any help toward a solution.
 
Use a PS2 mouse, not a serial mouse. They haven't been available for many
years and are not a viable choice to use in Windows XP.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
 
My mouse works in safe mode.
You can navigate without the mouse, read the help for keystrokes to get the
actions needed.
 
Thanks Alan and Richard,

I searched all my boxes of miscellaneous computer gear but found no ps2
mouse, and didn't feel like driving the 14 miles to town to buy one <g>
I do see that it would be wise to pick one up next time I'm at the store
though, to have on hand when I need one (very happy with my Touchpad in
normal circumstances but Safe Mode doesn't load it's driver).

I did find some useful keystroke info, and although a few of my malware
scanners still don't respond to keystrokes of any sort, enough did
respond so that I was able to successfully complete the detection /
eradication processes.

Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!
 
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