Mouse problems

[Eredar Warlock]

So, just a few minutes ago, my miniature laptop mouse suddenly could no longer be recognized by my computer and became unresponsive. My computer started giving me "Unknown USB Device" messages, saying that it has malfunctioned.

What my worry is, if it was caused by some kind of malware. It was working perfectly until now. I have a new mouse connected that works, but for some reason causes an odd sort of "ring" like ringing in one's ears if the mouse isn't moving, and it's irritating if I'm wearing earphones.

 

[Falconwing]

Huh. What kind of mouse? Wireless or one of those retractable cord kind?

 

[Eredar Warlock]

Retractable cord.

 

[Falconwing]

Ah, those are among the least reliable of laptop mice. I've used two in the past and they last six months at the most. I'm not certain what the issue is, but I advise to jsut get a wireless mouse. If you go to Staples, they are rather cheap. And all you have to do is replace a battery every six months. I'm using one right now. It's last over a year.

 

[Eredar Warlock]

Is it the same issue, where for whatever reason the computer can no longer recognize it/calls it an "Unknown Device" and that it has malfunctioned?

So I can safely assume it's not some kind of computer virus messing with things? I'm not terribly worried if there is a virus - all of my sensitive information is on another computer that I only use for personal reasons. But I really dislike using the laptop pad because it's rather unwieldy.

 

[Falconwing]

Same exact thing. It happened once while at a Forensics tournament. I was pissed.

 

[Eredar Warlock]

And a wireless laptop mouse is more reliable? And won't cause my earphones to buzz?

 

[Falconwing]

And a wireless laptop mouse is more reliable? And won't cause my earphones to buzz?

Yes and No.

Yes it is more reliable (so long as you don't lose the wireless USB stick. Get one of those that has a compartment in the bottom for it. My sister has one and it works very well. Mind just clips on)

And No, your earphones won't buzz.

At least, mine don't.

 

[Kadabra]

Earphone "buzz" can happen either way. It happens because the sound chip is built into the motherboard, and is therefore susceptible to interference or errors on the system bus. This is something that can be caused by both bad hardware and software.

Likewise, "Unknown USB Device" either means your hardware got damaged, or its driver has screwed up. Since you have no important stuff on the computer, wiping it and reinstalling Windows, clean, should be simple. If reformatting+reinstalling+updating to the latest drivers doesn't fix it, THEN consider buying a new mouse.

 

[Eredar Warlock]

Um....why do I want to go through that kind of trouble? And besides, changing mice did the trick for me. The earphone buzz was tied to a specific kind of mouse. And besides, I said I didn't have any SENSITIVE stuff on this computer. I do have IMPORTANT stuff here - namely, stuff for college.

 

[Kadabra]

Um....because it's actually less trouble than going to buy a new mouse. If you have a sensible backup policy, anyway -- which anyone with common sense has (and I thought you did have one, since you mentioned your desktop and all.) And it wasn't tied to a specific kind of mouse, but rather, to a broken one. Glad you got your problem resolved, though!

 

[Scarlet Devil]

Then you're gonna have to re-install the Drive Port system... I think...

 

[Falconwing]

Um....because it's actually less trouble than going to buy a new mouse. If you have a sensible backup policy, anyway -- which anyone with common sense has (and I thought you did have one, since you mentioned your desktop and all.) And it wasn't tied to a specific kind of mouse, but rather, to a broken one. Glad you got your problem resolved, though!

let's see. Messing around with my computer or going to Staples to buy a new mouse? Which is easier?

Gee, I wonder.