stupid computer

[lulumay]

ok, its either me or the computer. my toshiba notebook computer cannot recognize any mices at all. i tried at least 3 no brands and 2 branded mices with drivers but none of them work. does anyone have a solution.

i think its me.

[CarterTG]

If other devices are recognized and operational when plugged into the USB ports (thumbdrives, webcams, USB printers), then it might be a mouse driver problem.

If no other USB device works, then it's possible either USB is disabled under Device Manager -or- the USB hardware circuitry got fried. Another possibility is the USB somehow got disabled in the computer's BIOS.

If it turns out to be a hardware failure, brace yourself for a notebook motherboard replacement.

A few years ago, I setup a Toshiba notebook for someone and found their USB ports exhibited some sort of hardware problem. I was pressed for time and couldn't oversee the unit getting sent back for a warranty repair. I ended up running out for a PCMCIA USB expansion card. It provided four new functional USB ports and bypassed the non-functional ones.

If you determine yours is a hardware failure and the notebook's warranty has expired, a PCMCIA USB card could be an inexpensive temporary solution ($100-$200hkd).

It shouldn't be hard to find either at the Mongkok Computer Centre or Golden Computer Centre in ShamShuiPo.

[KnowItAll]

lulumay : do you have a "legacy" or old style mouse and keyboard port (known as PS/2) at the back of your computer? May be you can just get a USB to PS/2 connector and try. Those connectors are ultra reliable.

[lizchow]

thanks guys. a usb light still works so can i asssume that the port still works and its justa configuration problem.

[Skyhook]

I aggree that using a non USB mouse that has a green/standard mouse plug, in theory should automatically be accesible via default after reboot.

Once you have got your external mouse working again, it might be a good idea to install a copy of System Mechanic Pro, and have it maintain your entire operating system, prefetch cache and registry, I've been using that system utility for the past 2 years and its kept our network running flawlessly ever since. www.iolo.com is where you can download a fully functioning demo of the latest version, and pay for the registration key in a months time. I swear by this utility, it really does keep your WIN based OS in tip top shape.

[CarterTG]

...a usb light still works so can i asssume that the port still works...

That's not necessarily a valid test. The USB port is physically made up of four pins.

Pin 1 provides 5volts of power
Pin 2 passes data
Pin 3 passes data
Pin 4 serves as an electrical ground

A USB light (and other recreational trinkets) only needs Pin 1 and Pin 4 to power it.

A more complicated device like a USB mouse, printer, or thumbdrive would require all four pins to function.

This is why my previous post specifically suggested using THOSE devices to test the USB port.

Unless it's a very old notebook (pre-2002) it's unlikely Toshiba put a legacy PS/2 port in it.

[JohanSWE]

the solution is to try a rat instead of a mouse!
sorry coulden't resist it

[Stoob]

Have you tried looking at the "Universal Serial Bus Controllers" in Device manager?

(Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Device Manager)

There may be a "!" beside it signifying a problem.

If so you could try right clicking and selecting "Update Driver", if no joy try to "Uninstall" the controller then restart (Windows will automatically reinstall the device)