Knowledge Base

How to troubleshoot problems that may occur with Microsoft keyboards and mouse devices that are wired

Article ID: 894517

Article Last Modified on 11/6/2007

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse
Microsoft Business Hardware Pack
Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000
Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0
Microsoft IntelliMouse Trackball Explorer
Microsoft IntelliMouse Trackball Optical
Microsoft IntelliMouse with IntelliEye
Visio 5.0 Technical
Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical 1.1
Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro
Microsoft MultiMedia Keyboard
Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard
Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse
Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse 3000
Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader
Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Mac
Microsoft Optical Mouse by Starck
Microsoft Wheel Mouse 2.0
Microsoft Optical Mouse

SUMMARY

This article describes how to troubleshoot problems that may occur with Microsoft keyboards and mouse devices that are wired. These problems include a mouse pointer that moves erratically, keyboards shortcuts that do not work, or mouse devices and keyboards that are not detected. To resolve these problems, reduce the pointer speed and acceleration or use different ports to connect your input device. You can also use the MousInfo Tool to troubleshoot mouse problems, or you can use the MSKey Keyboard tool to troubleshoot keyboard problems.

INTRODUCTION

This article discusses how to troubleshoot problems that may occur with Microsoft keyboards and mouse devices that are wired.

MORE INFORMATION

When you use a wired mouse and keyboard, you may experience one or more of the following problems:

The mouse pointer moves erratically.
The mouse is not detected and the pointer does not move.
The mouse buttons do not work.
The keyboard is not detected.
The keys on the keyboard do not work.
The keyboard shortcuts do not work.

To work around these problems, use the following methods depending on your situation.

Wired mouse problems

The mouse pointer moves erratically

To resolve this problem, use the following methods in the order that they appear in.

Reduce the pointer speed and acceleration. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Mouse Properties dialog box. To do this, use one of the following methods:
  - In Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type main.cpl, and then click OK.
  - In Windows Vista, click Start, type main.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
    
    If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Click the Pointer Options tab. In the Motion area, drag the slider to the left to select a slower pointer speed.
3. Click to select the Enhance pointer precision check box, and then click OK.
Connect the mouse to your computer by using a different USB port or PS2 port. To do this, use one of the following methods:
- If the USB cable for your mouse is currently connected to a USB hub, disconnect the device from the hub, and then connect it to a USB port on your computer.
- If your device is already connected to a USB port on your computer, try to connect the device to a different USB port, if one is available.
- If your device is connected to a PS/2 port on your computer, make sure that the USB plug for your mouse is connected to the green USB-to-PS/2 adaptor and that this adaptor is plugged into the mouse PS/2 port on your computer. The mouse PS/2 port on your computer may also be green. If you are not sure which PS/2 port is the mouse PS/2 port, see the documentation that came with your computer.
- If you have to make changes to your configuration, shut off your computer, make the changes, and then restart your computer. If your mouse has both USB and PS/2 connections, try using the other type of connection. For example, if you are using the USB port, try connecting the mouse to the PS/2 connection instead.
For optical mouse devices, try using a different mouse surface or mouse pad. Test the mouse pointer by using a sheet of white paper instead of a mouse pad.
Reduce the graphics hardware acceleration setting in Microsoft Windows. To do this, follow these steps:

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.
1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.
3. Click the Troubleshoot tab.
4. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider until it is one notch to the right of None. This setting disables all but the basic accelerations.
5. Click OK two times.
Use the MousInfo Tool that is included with the Microsoft IntelliPoint software. To run the MousInfo tool, click Start, click Run, type mousinfo, and then click OK.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

178350 How to use the MousInfo Tool included with IntelliPoint software
In Microsoft Windows 98 and in Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, start the computer in Safe mode, and then remove all the device entries that are listed under Mouse Ports. In Microsoft Windows 2000 and in Microsoft Windows XP, start the computer in Safe mode, and then remove all the device entries that are listed under Mice and other pointing devices. Restart the computer in Normal mode.
Install the mouse on another computer. Make sure that the mouse works correctly when it is not attached to your computer.

This problem may occur if you are using an optical or laser mouse and the lense on the mouse is dirty. To clean the lense of an optical or laser mouse, follow these steps:

Use a dry cloth to clean the bottom surface of the mouse.
Check to sto see whether the mouse functions correctly.
If you see dust on the bottom of the mouse, use a can of pressurized de-ionized air to blow away the dust on the lense.
Check to see whether the mouse functions correctly.
If the pressurized air canister is not available, blow dry air on the lenses by using your mouth one or two times.
Check to see whether the mouse functions correctly.
If these steps do not resolve the problem, use a cotton bud to clean the lense without scratching it.