# Why can't I copy and paste? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-copy-and-paste/600692 "2011-10-25T01:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-copy-and-paste/600692/21 "2011-10-26T22:52:27Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I thought someone did make a mouse like that, allowing copies to be passed from one machine to another. Probably not the case this time. > > Anyway, if you think that is the problem on a laptop, you should reset the machine by holding it upside down and shaking it. Also if you can’t move the cursor far enough in any direction, you need a bigger mouse pad. Har de har har. Let’s just everyone all laugh at the little ignorant girl:p Next you’ll tell me it’s not really hamsters running the interwebs. So now, I can use my mouse for some things but not others. It can point like a mutheh but no clicky clicky. I’ll try to plug it into another port (Unless that’s just another joke at the Wook’s expense;)) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-copy-and-paste/600692/22 "2011-10-27T01:30:25Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Har de har har. Let’s just everyone all laugh at the little ignorant girl:p Next you’ll tell me it’s not really hamsters running the interwebs. > So now, I can use my mouse for some things but not others. It can point like a mutheh but no clicky clicky. I’ll try to plug it into another port (Unless that’s just another joke at the Wook’s expense;)) I’m just funnin’ ya. Does your right mouse button work for anything? If you hover over a link and right click, do you get a menu of options? Like Open, Open in New Tab, Open in New Window, etc? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-copy-and-paste/600692/23 "2011-10-27T03:25:50Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I’m just funnin’ ya. > > Does your right mouse button work for anything? If you hover over a link and right click, do you get a menu of options? Like Open, Open in New Tab, Open in New Window, etc? No worries; believe me, I’m the first in line to laugh at myself and suspect operator error. Clicking right _or_ left does bring up a menu - regardless of where I am on the screen. Nothing when hovering. I can use it to scroll if I use the touch pad left button thingy (technical term). I tried to plug in a new mouse, both in the same port and a new one and no go. There’s probably a simple explanation / fix to someone who isn’t a technology troglodyte but dang if I know what it is. Seems weird to have such problems with a system that’s only six months old but goodness only knows what I may have done. I’m new to Windows 7 and have never worked on a laptop before so this is a nice trial by fire!Will check back in tomorrow to see if any other suggestions are forthcoming (and no, getting a private secretary is not feasible 🙂 ) Thanks again for your efforts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-copy-and-paste/600692.md?page=1)