The first thing to do when your mouse stops working is to check the cable connection. There is no point reinstalling the mouse if it isn’t plugged in.

The next thing to try is to reboot the PC. I have written instructions on how to reboot a PC using the keyboard.

If after checking the cables and restarting the PC, the mouse still does not work you should try reinstalling the mouse. To do this you need to open the Device Manager, which can be accessed from the System Properties dialog box.

To open the System Properties dialog box hold down a Windows key (the ones with the Windows logo on) and press the Pause/Break key (on most keyboards this will be in a set of three keys to the right of the function keys).

Alternatively you can minimise all windows by holding down the Windows key and pressing D, then use the cursor key to highlight ‘My Computer’ and press the Application key to open up a menu, from this menu select ‘Properties’ using the cursor keys and press Enter.

The System Properties dialog will look something like this:

Use the right cursor key to move to the ‘Hardware’ page. Use the Tab key to move the focus to the ‘Device Manager’ button and press Enter. If you make a mistake at any time you can press the Escape key to close the System Properties dialog and start again.

This will open up the Device Manager program. To reinstall the mouse do the following:

· Press the Tab key to highlight the computer icon at the top of the list.
· Press the down cursor key repeatedly until ‘Mice and other pointing devices’ is highlighted (if · you go too far use the up cursor to go back).
· Press the right cursor key to open the sub-list.
· Press the down cursor key to select the mouse.
· Press the Application key to open up a context menu
· Use the down cursor key to move to highlight ‘Uninstall’ and press Enter.
· You will be asked to confirm this, press Enter.
· Wait for a while and then hold down Alt and press A.
· Continue waiting until the ‘Action’ menu opens.
· Use the down cursor to select ‘Scan for hardware changes’ and press Enter.
· Wait for a while, after which Windows should detect the mouse and reinstall it.

I have included a video of this process in action, so that you know what you should be seeing as you follow the instructions.

If your mouse still isn’t working after this, plug in different mouse to see if that works on your PC. If it does, plug the problem mouse into another PC, if it doesn’t work you know there is a hardware problem with your mouse. If a different mouse doesn’t work on your PC, something fundamental is wrong with it and you should seek expert technical advice.

I was writing a post on how to reinstall the mouse using the keyboard when I realised that rebooting the PC using the keyboard would be a required step in the process. So I decided to dedicate a whole post to that topic. I will give a few examples of how this can be done.

Using the Start Menu

· Press a Windows key (the ones with the Windows symbol on as shown right), this will open up the Start Menu.
· Use the cursor keys (the ones with arrows on) to highlight ‘Turn off Computer’ and press Enter to select it
· A dialog box will open. Use the cursor keys to to highlight ‘Shutdown computer’, ‘Turn off’ or whatever your version of Windows says, and press Enter again.

Using the ‘three finger salute’

Hold down Ctrl and Alt, and press Delete.

Windows 2000 and XP Home Edition users will be presented with a dialog box with buttons on:
· Use the cursor keys to select the ‘Shut Down’ button and use Enter to select it.
· Select ‘Shut down’ from the list using the cursor keys and press Enter one more time.

In other versions of Windows the Task Manager will open:
· Hold down Alt and press U to open the ‘Shut Down’ menu.
· Use the cursor keys to highlight ‘Turn Off’ and press Enter.

Hit Alt F4 ’till you can’t any more

The final method of shutting down that I will explain here is to hold down the Alt key and press F4 repeatedly. This will close every application that is open on Windows and eventually will close Windows itself. You may be asked if you want to save files by some programs, if so use the cursor keys and Enter to get past these dialog boxes.

How many of you have hooked up a new Microsoft keyboard and/or mouse and didn’t install the included IntelliPoint software because Windows automatically found the hardware?   As long as things worked when connected, I didn’t miss some of the features that the IntelliPoint Software added. 

But now that I’ve installed the software with Windows Vista, that’s all changed.  The team has added so many improvements in the IntelliPoint software functionality that I thought I’d conclude our 10 Things about Windows Vista series by discussing some of the lesser-known features of the IntelliPoint software.  These features add functionality not only to those who may have problems with the fine print on some sites, but give the hardware more usability for the everyday user as well as the power user and gamer.

I’m using the new Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 keyboard.  If you’re looking for a new keyboard, check this out - www.microsoft.com/hardware/ultimatekeyboard, now available.   The set features a 2.4GHz Bluetooth super thin, backlit rechargeable keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is easy to use with its ergonomic design, including “My Favorites” programmable hot keys, one-touch access to Windows Media Center and a navigation pad to make navigation even easier.  The backlighting is automatic and turns on and off depending on the room‘s lighting and the proximity of the user.

The mouse uses High Definition Laser Technology for smooth, precise tracking.  It offers 4-way scrolling and Flip 3D with its tilt wheel.  It automatically adjusts battery life depending on the performance needs.

Some of the features of the IntelliPoint software:

Magnifier
Although Windows Vista has a built-in magnifier that enlarges text and icons for easier viewing, the IntelliPoint software acts more like a real magnifying glass.  You can select the size of the magnifying window to encompass either a small section of a document, Web page, or photo.  The size is customizable by dragging the window to your preferred size.  The size you select will be remembered for future use.  You can also change the magnification level from 1.5x to 5x.

Some keyboards also have a ‘Magnifier’ button that can be used alone or in conjunction with the mouse controls.

Instant Viewer

For those of you who use a mouse to navigate, this feature is similar to the keyboard shortcut ‘Alt-Tab.’   With a quick push of the mouse wheel, you can see every application that’s open.  After moving the cursor to any of the windows, a quick mouse click brings the window to the front. 

Precision Booster

If you’re a gamer and your mouse supports this, Precision Booster will increase or decrease the speed of the pointer for improved accuracy. You’ll be able to move around the screen much faster.  A quick press and hold increases the speed until released, or just press and release the assigned button to toggle the speed up and then press and release again to resume normal speed.

The hot keys on the Microsoft keyboards and mice are fully customizable to work with the IntelliPoint software.

Flip 3D

One-touch access to Windows Flip 3D on the mouse allows users to flip through open windows in a stack, and quickly switch between applications for added productivity.

Flip 3D comes pre-programmed to the scroll wheel button on the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 and Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000.  The software allows the user to program Flip 3D to any of the mouse buttons.  I’ve also found that the software enables Flip 3D on my old trackball using the center button.  As I really like trackballs, this was a great surprise. 

Also available with IntelliPoint Software Version 6.2 and Supported Hardware

• Windows Gadget Button offers quick access to customizable content such as weather information, news, traffic and maps.
• The Quick-Launch button gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, allowing gamers to quickly see the games in their PC’s game library.
• Windows Live Call button lets you access one of your online Windows Messenger contacts, and start a video conversation quickly.

To get the latest updates specific to your hardware, check the Microsoft Hardware Web site or go to http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/Download.mspx

If you haven’t installed the IntelliPoint software that came with your Microsoft hardware, try the latest version and let us know what your favorite feature is.  

How many of you have hooked up a new Microsoft keyboard and/or mouse and didn’t install the included IntelliPoint software because Windows automatically found the hardware? As long as things worked when connected, I didn’t miss some of the features that Read More……(read more)

A mouse was invented by Dougles Engelbart of stanford Reaserch centre in 1963, and poineered by Xerox in the 1970s.

A mouse is an input device that is important for graphical user interfaces because you can sipmly point to options and click a mouse button. These types of application are often called point-and-click programs. The mouse is also important for graphic programs that allow you to draw pictures by using the mouse like a pen, pencil, or paintbrush.

A mouse may have one, two or three buttons. The function of each is determined by the program that uses the mouse. A software package may use one, two or al three if them .In its simplest form, a mouse has one button. Moving the mouse on a flat surface produces corresponding movement of a pointer on the screen. Placing the pointer on an option and clicking the button in selecting that option.

Mouse

A mouse may be calassified as a mechanical mouse or an optical nmouse, on the basis of the technology it uses. In a mechanical mouse, the ball that projects through the bottom surface rotates as the mouse is moved along a flat surface. The direction of rotation is detected and relayed to the computer by the switches inside the mouse. Microsoft, IBM and Logitech are some well-known makers of the mechnical mouse.

An optical mouse uses a light beam instead of a rotating ball to detect movement across a specially patterned mouse pad. MSC corporation makes the optical mouse that uses LEDs and photo-detectors to trap movement.

Categories of mouse:

1. Trackball Mouse: In a Trackball ouse, the ball is rolled at one place with the thumb, fingers and palms rather than rolling the mouse on the table top.

2. Joystick Mouse: A joystick usualy includes two upright sticks which are mocied with the hand and a button is pressed on either stick . Joystick mouse is basically used by childern, recreational users, and other users who prefer the joystick over the mouse or trackball.

3. Light Pen: A light pen utilizes a light-sensitive detector, requring you to hlod a pen and point it at the sceen.

4. Wireless Mouse: The wireless mouse is a mouse without a cable . This mouse works up to one and a half metres away from the computer.

5. Touch Pad Mouse: A tiuchpad is a small. flat, rectangu;ar pointing device that is sensitiveto pressure and motion. These devices mostly used on portable computer.

Meaning of Yahoo, Adidas, Good bye /types of USB Drives with figures with breaf note / types of Random Access Memory (RAM) / types of PLOTTERS explanation with figure / Magneto-Optical Disk internal stracture / About Microprocessor / How to add URL to search engines /Intresting blog America blog /About Laptops/Notebooks / Keyboard Shotcut keys /Google is give me the deleted blog /Google platform, peoples /Why computers not show correct date and time / SecurityToken Message when we Publish a Post in blogger / Windows Charecter Map /error message in status bar /Language converter, translator