Mouse and Mouse Device Category Both Disappear

[Will]

I have a Windows 2000 server on which the mouse is deactivated. I went to
Add Remove Hardware to add the driver back in, and to my surprise the entire
Mouse category of Device is missing. How can that even happen? How do I
add the standard PS2-Compatible Mouse driver back given that something has
removed the entire Mouse category? If someone could give me an alternative
path to adding that driver I would appreciate it.

 

[Glen]

I have a Windows 2000 server on which the mouse is deactivated. I went to
Add Remove Hardware to add the driver back in, and to my surprise the entire
Mouse category of Device is missing. How can that even happen? How do I
add the standard PS2-Compatible Mouse driver back given that something has
removed the entire Mouse category? If someone could give me an alternative
path to adding that driver I would appreciate it.

Have you tried simply shutting down the server, connecting
the mouse and rebooting? Windows should automatically
see the mouse and install a driver for it.

Have you checked for virus infection?

If nothing else works, and a repair or reinstall of the OS
isn't an option, does the server have a spare serial or USB
port?