Mouse problems (the plastic kind not the furry ones)

[Riefnu]

I am typing this, at this moment, without a working mouse.

In the three years i've had my computer I have gone through 4 mice. The first was a HP mouse that came with the computer and had a matching keyboard. Lasted a little more than a year before It strangely started to turn off after 2 seconds of use. Everything else was fine, just would turn off. Change batteries and still off in 2 seconds. It would turn on if you took out and replaced, but off again 2 seconds later.

So I got a new mouse. A $60 logitech with buttons I didn't even know what for. It was very VERY nice. Right now it has two problems. The left click button no longer works, and the wireless reciever for it was stolen by a old roommate as they were moving out. They thought it was a flash drive. This mouse also lasted a year before these problems happened.

Bring on the next mouse. A general electric. I figured they might be good. Gave them a shot. No batteries. Wired. Haha no lost wireless recievers. Whoops! the laser wont turn on anymore. sorry you can't do anything but click now buddy. That was only 4 months.

Fortunately GE was only 30 dollar. I figure It's back to logitech. Another wireless. Less side gizmos more workhorse style. Good solid 30 dollar logitech. Two buttons and a roller middle button.Can't go wrong with that. Just 10 minutes ago. It will work for 5 seconds, then ALL activity with freeze. The lazer is on and lights up when detecting motion, but the computer doesn't notice it. If I remove the batteries and put them back in. Woah it works again for 5 seconds. Only the last action has stuck so if i was clicking a window its in super drag mode meaning I have to click to remove that effect. Whoops to late no more function. This mouse was going on 6 months. It also EATS batteries (hence why I got some rechargeables)

I'd rather not have to work on my laptop mini pad when doing things, and all this mouse destruction is making me worried about using my wacom as a mouse. So if anyone has any advice as to what is going on. It would be appreciated.

[Riefnu]

I should say FIVE mice. I had a trackball one that the trackball fell out of and rolled away down a vent. I never found the ball, and it's smaller than the standard trackball.

[NTLemon]

I've generally had good luck with logitech. Both my 5 yr old Mx510 and 9 yr old mouse from them still work perfectly. I did have a gaming mouse, a $70 Razor Copperhead that died within 8 months though.

I would stay away from offbrands and when it comes to mice, GE is definitely offbrand.

I haven't used any of the wireless mice though as a habit probably a carryover from gaming but wired mice were typically more responsive and had less issues to worry about.

[budafist]

I've never used a wireless mouse? Is it worth it just to get a mouse with a tail just to end the frustrations?

[Riefnu]

I've had two wired mice die on me and three wireless. Something isn't adding up on it.

Also having two Logitech mice die, which logitech isn't a off brand, is making me wonder what is going on.




I got fed up with my desktop keyboard messing up how I was posting so I'm using my laptop now.

[budafist]

Maybe someone is coming in at night time and abusing your mice? Do you use them for anything abnormal? Is there any mouse out there with a full warranty?

[Riefnu]

Maybe my cats are abusing them!:cool: You don't suppose how your hand sits on them affects them at all do you?


I never got a mouse under warrenty. Didn't know they could have one. I'm going to Fry's electronic store though. Massive electronics store. I posted their website somewhere.
I'm going to get a cheap-o one and an expensive one. I'll use cheap-o for workhorse and expensive for when I need the control.

[budafist]

It's kind of an unrelated story but we went through about 4 pepper mills in less than 1 year. Those suckers can be expensive but the most I ever paid for one was a really nice pepper mill for $50. It still died after a few months.

So I emailed a local kitchen stuff shop and asked them if they had any pepper mills with lifetime guarantees or anything like that. I mean a $100 pepper mill guaranteed for a lifetime is better a few cheaper pepper mills that die after a few months. They did! But they said that the reason that pepper mills die was because the mechanism is designed only to turn clockwise. If you grind it backwards and forwards it kills the mechanism. Oops. All 4 of us us in the house were using the pepper mills incorrectly.

So just goes to show, sometimes it's not a fault with the product ;)

You should have a serious talk to your cats.

[John G]

Logitech. You just have to clean them if the buttons stop working. Usually a combination of crumbs, skin flakes and soda pop. On mine I had to punch three holes in the sticker at the bottom to get to two screws. Just had to remember how to put it back together (the scroll wheel being what you need to pay attention to. The actual electronic switches should last forever.

I've also had cheapo microsoft one's run just as well. Never had any problems with any mice after we got away from the rollerball.

Do you get mad at your computer implements and bang them around and such?

[NTLemon]

You know buying 2 mice and using the cheap one as a workhorse sounds like it will nearly guarantee its failure, I would suggest getting the good mouse and use that as a workhorse and get a cheap one for backup in the event it dies or you happen to need another mouse.

[hewligan]

To be honest, I just buy cheap mice.

Just like their namesake, they are not creatures that I expect to live a long life.

(Having said that, my current mouse has lasted quite a while. It's the Dick Smith Electronics house brand one, which probably doesn't help you unless you live in Australia or New Zealand. Still, turns out to be quite a good mouse, and very cheap.)

[Rockk]

We've used several versions of Logitech mice - probably 30 mice in the last couple of years - and have never had one fail, except for the few that were thrown across the room. The only time ours are replaced is when we replace a computer, somebody steals one, we hire somebody new, or when one gets trashed by an angry user. The anger usually happens when one of us is on the phone with a client discussing why the client's neighbor's sons choice of fonts is not appropriate :)

[Riefnu]

I don't get angry at my computer much. Unless its doing something stupid that I specifically told it not to do. (Wait WHY are you autoupdating. I turned you OFF. No! don't restart automatically! I havn't saved yet!)


I got a 40 dollar RocketFish mouse. Two thumb buttons, and a dpi button that switches between 800 dpi and 1600 dpi.

I don't know why I'd ever turn off 1600 dpi. Anyone know why?


Most importantly it's got and ON/OFF switch on the bottom. Meaning I don't have to leave it in waiting mode when i'm not on the computer or remove the batteries.


As for the logitech with button problems. Cleaning did nothing. It's hardware failure. Oddly enough it did have a 1 year warrenty. To bad it lasted 1 year and a month. Hmmmmmm.

[mojoprime]

i've always used microsoft mice. can't stand the company but they make good mice.

[Yossarian]

Ditto, my MS Intellimouse at home has been going strong for 5+ years.

[Virgo Nightingale]

^^Have had an Intellimouse at home for about 3 or 4 years. Never a problem.

[Typically]

i've never had problems with logitech but i recently switched to microsoft with my new computer. Microsoft - Desktop 6000 Wireless Keyboard and Laser Mouse is what i'm running now and haven't had to replace batteries in either yet since December. better keep my fingers crossed now!

[Virgo Nightingale]

We replace the batteries roughly twice a year, if that, and my fiancé is on the computer nearly constantly while he's home.