Win 98SE mouse problem--Corrupt registry?

Factual Questions
1

My Windows 98SE PC was connected to the web via modem dialup when suddenly my physical movements of the mouse started causing weird rapid random on-screen behavior–tiling and cascading of windows, programs opening randomly, Start menu opening, etc. This seemed to be caused by the physical movements of the mouse, which no longer corresponded to, or precisely controlled, the on-screen movements of the mouse pointer.

So I ran AVG antivirus check; no virus was found.

When I rebooted the PC, I recvd the message alert:
Title bar: Windows Mouse Support
Text: Windows did not detect a mouse attached to the computer. You can safely attach a serial mouse now. To attach a mouse to a PS/2 mouse port, you must first turn the computer off.

I’ve futzed around with the mouse-pc connector with no result. The mouse pointer remains visible in the middle of the screen, and does change to an hourglass when pages are loading; but moving the mouse has no effect. I’m stuck with keyboard-only navigation.

In addition, the IE5 windows are launched in a very small size. The default opening size was usually “medium” or so; now they’re tiny.

This happened on May 2. By a fluke, I happened to check the AVG web site, and learned that AVG support for AVG 7 had ended on April 30. The 8.x version isn’t available for Win98. So I installed and run Avast antivirus sw; still no virus found.

My theory: the mouse-related registry key(s) and/or value(s) are corrupted. Does this sound likely? If so, do any experts know of a fix for this? Or a pointer to a fix? The mouse is a “Genius EasyMouse+ PS2.”

Note: Trying to be self-reliant, I’ve scroogled and yahooed the obvious keywords for this problem; but keyboard-only navigation makes this extremely awkward–many web pages don’t have the underlined letters like in Windows programs, enabling Alt+[underlined letter]–without this, you must Tab-cycle thru dozens of links sequentially–difficult.

Help greatly appreciated. Keyboard-only navigation is OK for local programs; for web-browsing, a major drag.

2

Do you have another PS 2 mouse you can try?

3

1999 called. It wants it’s thread back.

:slight_smile:

Ok seriously now. Registry corruption errors can happen, and on Win 98 I remember them being a periodic ordeal. But it might also be a sign of a failing hard drive or RAM or it could have simply been an improper shutdown.

Can you try and restore your registry to an earlier version? Unfortunatley I don’t know how to do that with win 98. You might also try to run a registry cleaner to see if it clears up the problem or if it at leasts points out the broken registry entry.

Additionally, you might want to try and reinstall the driver. Another possibility is that your port might have died. Can you try another mouse maybe.

4

May I ask why you’re using an 11-year-old, insecure, unsupported operating system? There may be fixes but they’re going to be difficult to come by because frankly, most everyone has moved on to operating systems released this decade. :slight_smile:

5

It was common for mouse troubles like you described to occur with mouse. Often you found a shared interrupt problem. I think it was normally the sound card that caused the interrupt conflict problem, but it’s been so long I don’t know any longer. The other usual problem being you need a new mouse.You didn’t specify the type of mouse your using. Reinstall the mouse and see if it works.

6

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221512[ol]

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7

Sounds like a dead mouse - try another, preferably a USB one - you’ll find it gives a much smoother mouse pointer on Win98.

BrandonR - it’s not 11 years old, 98se came out in 1999 and ended extended support in 2006 so it’s really only 3 years old. Who cares how old your O/S is if it runs the programs and does the tasks you want it to?

8

Since when do you date an object when its support ends? Is your car from 1999 “brand-new” since its 10-year warranty just ended? My point is, clearly it’s not working and using such an old and outdated operating system presents a potential security concern for the user. Windows 98 was never very secure to begin with. It would benefit the OP in every way I could imagine by using something more up-to-date. But to each his/her own I suppose.

9

I don’t necessarily agree with calling 98SE 3 years old, but it’s not like it’s the same 98SE that came out of the box in 1999, either. It got tweaks and updates all along the way until MS stopped providing them. If I could take my 1998 Corolla in every couple of months and get the newer engine, transmission, seat warmers, etc., that Toyota was coming out with, the car analogy would be more apt.

10

My first guess is that the problem is with the mouse and I would try another mouse first.

I suppose it is inevitable that someone come in to shit about why the OP is using Windows/Mac/Linux/this/that/other and provide no useful help.

I have a few computers running Win98se for a variety of reasons which are none of your or anyone else’s business if I do not care to share them.

Win98Se is a perfectly good OS for many applications, including hardware which cannot run newer OS. But if you want to buy a new computer, scanner and printer for me just so I can run a newer OS I can tell you where to mail the check.

11

I don’t think the comment was in the spirit of threadshitting.

It was a useful observation, IMHO. Having such an outdated OS means that when you run into problems, it’ll be come increasingly difficult to find solutions.

12

Except that the OP is not asking for advice on whether to switch to another OS but on how to fix a particular problem.

Saying a more recent OS is better in some way is just absolutely useless unless you believe the OP to be retarded or six years old.

“Get a Mac”. “Get Linux”. It just bugs me when people come in to give such useless advice like they are revealing some insight.

Here’s better advice: Submerge the computer and peripherals in molten lava for 20 minutes. Then go sailing and forget about computers.

Or even better: have sex. I have never had a mouse fail me while I was having sex.

13

I have. Those little things go through batteries like nobody’s business.

14

Well, they are still running Windows 98… :wink:

And sometimes, the best suggestion really is to just upgrade. There comes a point where every piece of software becomes so obsolete and out-of-date that finding various patches, workarounds, and fixes is just going to be a huge headache and not worth it. It’s like when my 20-year-old microwave recently gave out. I’m sure my landlord could have opted to go through significant hassle and find replacement parts, but they went ahead and bought a new microwave because it was ultimately the best and easiest solution.

And I’m not trying to convert anyone to a different operating system. I still very much recommend Windows (just a modern version). Sort of like I don’t mind Fords, but I wouldn’t recommend keeping a Pinto. :smiley:

15

Probably irrelevant but I’ll throw in my couple of cents worth.

Have you cleaned out the inside of the mouse? A lot of fluff and muck gets caught up in the little rollers that can produce erratic mouse movements.