mouse problem

Hi,
You don't say which is your OS and what mouse you use (PS/2, serial on COM1/COM2, USB).
You can try to remove any old driver for mouse from your OS (boot in safe mode pressing F8 key) and also check in BIOS if you have enable the port which you use or try to use some loopbacks and run a diagnostic from a boot diskette.

Check in the system BIOS to make sure the PS2 connector is enabled.

The PS2 adaptor may not be compatible with your serial port. Try connectiing the mouse to the serial port without PS2 adaptor.

Did the mouse used to work on this PC?
If so, start by checking in BIOS settings if the COMM port is enabled.
You could also try the other COMM port.

Some of the newer PS/2 mice no longer function on a serial port. Even with the adapter!

Try a "true" serial mouse, or on that is specified as a "combo" mouse.

There are numerous tools to check that your COMM port is working.
The best way is to ping the port with a loop-back plug connected.
Check out www.pcwiz.com for some tools.

It is possible for the COMM ports to be blown.

Chas

I would start by testing the original mouse on another system to verify that it works. If you have already done this then try booting up into windows in safe mode, go into the device manager and remove any listings for mice in there. Shutdown the computer, power down for about 30 seconds then with the mouse attached to the com port you wish to use power up the system and let it boot into windows.

If this does not work the one way to test the com port is to find a DOS mouse driver, boot to a DOS prompt install the driver and verify if it detects the mouse and the mouse is useable.