Mouse plays havoc with computer

**miladytn** · 2007-10-30 02:36

The comp is WinXP Home. The mouse is (was) a USB LogiTech optical mouse. The mouse worked well for some time, but it began freezing up. I could still navigate the computer via keyboard commands. I thought it was the computer and did some troubleshooting from that angle. Could find nothing wrong.

I began to think that it might the be the mouse so I tried another USB (AOpen) optical mouse. Did not work at all. So I hooked up a scroll mouse plugged into the mouse port. After the first or second restarts, I did not have internet access (which is broadband cable) and it was sluggish. After several restarts, the scroll mouse works. But now I cannot see my home network, which consists of two computers. The other computer on the network (WinXP Pro) now cannot see my computer.

Another interesting thing I noticed about the troublesome mouse was that the light would come on at odd times, even when the computer was not in use; AND when the computer was totally shut down, it would light up and stay lit for a long period of time.

Ideas and suggestions are very much appreciated.

**bigaldoc** · 2007-10-30 12:53

From what you've said about performance AFTER trying two alternate mouses, I can't help but wonder if your computer has picked up a "bad thing" somewhere along the way. Can you try doing a complete virus scan, and also run apps like AdAware and Spybot to see if there's a meanie somewhere?

**miladytn** · 2007-10-31 00:51

Nope, no meanies. We both use ZoneAlarm Security Suite and do regular updates and scans. And Ad-Adware and Spybot. If there are nasties in there, they are well hidden.

**Leif** · 2007-10-31 09:49

>> ...AND when the computer was totally shut down.

Are you saying that the mouse lights up when the computer is switched off?!!

**miladytn** · 2007-10-31 16:20

Yes. Which is especially weird in the middle of the night to see a red light glowing from a darkened room!

**Leif** · 2007-10-31 16:33

I think this is a hardware issue. I can't see how a USB port can be supplying power when the pc is powered off.

You really, really do mean switched off, and not sleeping, or hibernating?

And this is really and truly a USB mouse, and not a wireless one with its own battery?

**miladytn** · 2007-10-31 17:40

Yes, the computer is turned off. As in "shut down" not sleep/hibernate/stand by mode. No, it is not wireless. It is a corded USB mouse.Thanks for your help.

**DaveA** · 2007-10-31 18:01

Try unplugging the system from the POWER, and see if it still happens.

**Leif** · 2007-10-31 18:02

This is very strange - I think I'll move this thread to Hardware as I can't see it being a Windows issue (unless someone knows better!) Hopefully someone there can come up with something.

Can you post details of the PC this is happening on? Make, model, and age should do for starters.

**viking33** · 2007-10-31 19:30

Have you tried a different USB port?

Is this a laptop or a desktop?

**miladytn** · 2007-11-01 02:57

It is a desktop that my husband built approximately 4 years ago. And yes we tried different USB ports. And I think you're right to now put this on the hardware thread. I finally mentioned this to a long-distance friend of ours and his opinion is that it is probably a hardware issue; first guesses were power supply or motherboard showing early symptoms of possible failure.

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