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MS wireless mouse 1008 uses up batteries too fast

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I know this may be trivial, but I have a MS 1008 wireless mouse that kills a set of batteries every 3 weeks or so. I am using good high quality batteries, but they do not last. This machine has been in use about 2 years. This problem only started about 2 or 3 months ago? Anybody got any ideas?

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Clarifications

In reply to MS wireless mouse 1008 uses up batteries too fast

Clarifications

Things to check

In reply to MS wireless mouse 1008 uses up batteries too fast

A few things to check / consider come to mind.

First, use a soft pencil eraser to clean the battery contacts in the mouse. The batteries may not be running down too fast, they might be making poor contact, and have a voltage drop.

Second, make sure the window for the optics is clean and not scratched. Also, make sure the surface is clean. A dirty pad may make the optics work harder to track position.

Check the receiver. Has it fallen over? Or moved so that there is a metal obstruction between the mouse and the receiver.

Are there any new wireless devices in use near the computer? Including another wireless mouse or keyboard.

Was the mouse ever dropped? Parts inside could be damaged causing higher current draw.

Chas

Or another possibility is

In reply to Things to check

Simply that you have just got a bad batch of batteries, or the internal components of the batteries that you use have changed to make it cheaper to make them and they are no longer as good as they used to be.

Currently I’m using Rechargeable Batteries with one of these and I get a little over 3 weeks out of the mouse and a long time out of the keyboard. I keep about 6 -8 charged rechargeable on the desk and just grab a set when I stop getting any mouse movement and swap them over. Maybe the rechargeable have started to go off or something but I’m not sure that I ever got any longer out of them in the first place.

It’s easy to live with when M$ gives away things like this though.

Col

Check out Logitech VX nano

In reply to MS wireless mouse 1008 uses up batteries too fast

I paid a premium ($69) for the new Logitech VX nano (CompUSA has a special this weekend for $39, valid through Monday May 12th).

The ultra tiny USB receiver stays put in a laptop/notebook computer, which is pretty nifty. For a desktop, Logitech supplies a USB extension cable fitted to a small adapter receiver for your working area.

Logitech claims that you may get 6 months’ battery life if you manually power-off the mouse between sessions. Logitech is telling the truth.

Without touching the power button, I’m getting ~2 months with a set of two AAA batteries (0% functionality corresponds to ~1.1V), at relatively heavy use. The mouse is highly programmable, and the Logitech software lets you check the battery strength without opening the mouse.

So hurry and save $30:

http://www.compusa.com/

I [b]never[/b] grab this stuff at a bargain…

Rick/Portland, OR

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