Double-Clicking My Mouse...

[PLFXpert 0]

w/out a pad.

My computer mouse, silly.

Can anyone tell me the purpose of a mouse pad? I ask b/c my new mouse is suddenly not working properly when I move it all around my desk. It sometimes won't go and it especially won't continue to highlight text if I want it to.

I've never used a mouse pad. I hate them. They're so restrictive. I like the freedom of moving my mouse all around the table as I please.

But, I'm wondering if my lack of mouse pad had my mouse all in a tizzy now? Anyone know?

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[davedlg 0]

If it's an optical mouse, a reflective surface can cause all kinds of messed up things to happen. In fact some mouse pads are reflective and don't work with optical mice. If it's a ball mouse, try cleaning the contacts with the mouseball.

[Lindercles 0]

Would your new mouse happen to be an optical mouse, and does your desk happen to be shiny?

[Lindercles 0]

Way to blow your load in one post, bro. You gotta learn to tease.

[davedlg 0]

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Way to blow your load in one post, bro. You gotta learn to tease.

Yeah yeah, gotta learn to work on that one...

[Slappie 9]

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Way to blow your load in one post, bro. You gotta learn to tease.

Yeah yeah, gotta learn to work on that one...

It's ok Postwhore Paddawan, you'll overcome such small mistakes. Next time.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[PLFXpert 0]

I don't know nothin' 'bout no optical mouse.

My desk is wood. It's shiny 'cause I keep it polished. But I don't polish the little roll-out thingy with my keyboard & mouse. Just dust it.

So when you say "clean the contacts" do you mean my desk? Or the ball? If you mean the ball, how do I clean it? I assure you the desk is CLEAN. I'm a clean FREAK.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[wmw999 2,534]

Doesn't matter. Your mouse needs its balls cleaned periodically .

Turn over the mouse, look at where the ball is poking out. Remove the little plate (with the hole) holding it in -- there should be arrows showing how.

The ball rolls around in a cavity, against 3 rollers. 2 control rollers, and a springy hold-it-in roller. They all probably have cute little collars of old dust, bread crumbs, pepsi drops, and whatever else landed on your desk over the years. It just takes longer if you're a clean freak. Only the two bigger rollers need to be cleaned.

Remove those little collars (I use splinter-removing tweezers), replace the ball, replace the plate, and voila -- good to go.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[davedlg 0]

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I don't know nothin' 'bout no optical mouse.

Is there a red light on the bottom of your new mouse? Or is there a little ball?

[Muenkel 0]

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Doesn't matter. Your mouse needs its balls cleaned periodically .

Turn over the mouse, look at where the ball is poking out. Remove the little plate (with the hole) holding it in -- there should be arrows showing how.

The ball rolls around in a cavity, against 3 rollers. 2 control rollers, and a springy hold-it-in roller. They all probably have cute little collars of old dust, bread crumbs, pepsi drops, and whatever else landed on your desk over the years. It just takes longer if you're a clean freak. Only the two bigger rollers need to be cleaned.

Remove those little collars (I use splinter-removing tweezers), replace the ball, replace the plate, and voila -- good to go.

Or, if you got lost on Wendy's 2nd sentence like I did; you could just pick up a new mouse at Staples for about $30.
Chris

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Chris

[Squeak 17]

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Doesn't matter. Your mouse needs its balls cleaned periodically .

Turn over the mouse, look at where the ball is poking out. Remove the little plate (with the hole) holding it in -- there should be arrows showing how.

The ball rolls around in a cavity, against 3 rollers. 2 control rollers, and a springy hold-it-in roller. They all probably have cute little collars of old dust, bread crumbs, pepsi drops, and whatever else landed on your desk over the years. It just takes longer if you're a clean freak. Only the two bigger rollers need to be cleaned.

Remove those little collars (I use splinter-removing tweezers), replace the ball, replace the plate, and voila -- good to go.

Wendy W.

you can do all that or spend $20 on an optical mouse and never have to worry about the dirt build up again, specially since being a clean freak you are going to be grossed out when you see the collected crap on your rollers

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[wmw999 2,534]

But it's so satisfying to restore the mouse to cleanliness and workingness .

And the instructions really just say "look at it, see how it's put together, take it apart, see what looks like dirt, remove, put back together."

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Muenkel 0]

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But it's so satisfying to restore the mouse to cleanliness and workingness .

And the instructions really just say "look at it, see how it's put together, take it apart, see what looks like dirt, remove, put back together."

But...but...you're a rocket scientist.

Chris

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Chris

[PLFXpert 0]

I'm with Wendy. We don't spend $20 when we have a perfectly good mouse that just needs its balls shined.

Wendy--there are, in fact, arrows. But, they tell me to turn counter-clockwise and I'm trying and it's not turning.

I'm going to get a butter knife. Those solve everything.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Muenkel 0]

Well if you ladies enjoy a good challenge, then who am I to argue?
BTW, Once you get all good and practised; my balls could use a shining.

Chris

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Chris

[porpoishead 8]

ball washer

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[PLFXpert 0]

Aren't those fun? I wouldn't play golf if it weren't for them!

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[PLFXpert 0]

Well, I cleaned it. Actually, it was really clean already.

Still not working properly.

I mean, my desk IS shiny--but that only matters with the optical, right?

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[drudchen 0]

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I mean, my desk IS shiny--but that only matters with the optical, right?

Yes, you dont want the surface to be mirror-like for optical mice.

For ball mouse, you dont want the table surface to be slippery/too smooth. You want the ball to grip the surface. That's why they usually make mousepads out of rubber/gel/carpet-like fabric.
Try to avoid polishing the table that well

[PLFXpert 0]

I don't polish the little roll-out tray-table thingy that my mouse is on, but....the surface IS really smooth, slick...sooooo...

I think I need a new mouse. And a pad.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[porpoishead 8]

get wireless optical, then youll be free to ride your machine without being hassled by the man.

you can kick back how ever you want, and mouse from your hand,arm, leg well you get the point....

FFFRRREEEEEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOMM!

if you want a friend feed any animal
Perry Farrell

[NWFlyer 2]

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I don't polish the little roll-out tray-table thingy that my mouse is on, but....the surface IS really smooth, slick...sooooo...

I think I need a new mouse. And a pad.

Flip a notepad over. Instant mousepad.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[PLFXpert 0]

I tried that, too.

Great minds think alike. I'm honored.

Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

[Cornholio 0]

Well it sounds like you're ready for a new mouse.

My suggestion before you do that is - bang on the mouse and maybe drop it a few times on your desk. It's possible that the gear wheels (that Wendy mentioned) might be out of alignment or a big piece of fuzz is blocking the wheel/sensor mechanism. Or before all that, you could try to blow some compressed air into the ball hole and over the wheels.

Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast!
Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool!
bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump

[Muenkel 0]

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Flip a notepad over. Instant mousepad.

Yes definitely. You certainly don't want to spend an extra $1.99 on a mouse pad.

My hunch is you will be at an Office Depot, Staples or some other store that sells mouses...or is it mice?

Chris

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Chris