The genius computer thread

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:31 am

Hopefully, a thread on com problems is acceptable in this forum.

Anyhow, the computer keeps freezing and the message ballon reads (words to the effect) "the computer doesn't recognize the mouse."

It's getting to be a pain in the bum to keep turning off the computer and restarting it, especially when it freezes in the middle of a response. Any genius solutions?

millipodium · Post by **millipodium** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:01 am

double check your mouse driver. Maybe it's been updated, or maybe your computer chose one that was preloaded from microsoft and it's not exactly right.

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:09 am

When was the last time you visited Windows Update using explorer? If it hasn't been recently then try that first, then start looking for drivers. Hint: select "Custom" rather than "Express" and download all "Hardware" and "High Priority" updates while ignoring the "software updates."

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:33 am

Thank you kindly gentlemen.

Milli,

The result was "cannot find a better match", but while in that area (thank you for pointing), the device was uninstalled and the com was restarted. It found the device automatically (that's what the troubleshooter said would take place).

Bee,

This problem started after downloading that 'second life' of whatever it was. Anyways, that was removed awhile ago and your advice re this problem, was taken.

We'll see. Thanks again, guys.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:00 am

The com froze again. Any other geniuse solutions? :)

DHodges · Post by **DHodges** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:04 am

kowtaaia wrote:The com froze again. Any other geniuse solutions? :)

Get a Mac.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:08 am

DHodges wrote:
kowtaaia wrote:The com froze again. Any other geniuse solutions? :)
Get a Mac.

You really are a fucking genius! :)

Diebert van Rhijn · Post by **Diebert van Rhijn** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:59 am

While you didn't specify that you didn't have a Mac in the first place (probably not :-) and you didn't made a further system description available, I'd make sure your video driver and BIOS are using the latest drivers/firmware. Check this on the sites of supplier of video & bios/motherboard.

One reason I suggest this is that Second Life can really screw your videocard if not compatible and the stress might have made it decide to start chasing the mice, ie changed its internal configuration somehow.

Freezing computers (assuming it froze and not just mouse functionaly stopped) are often caused by failing or conflicting low level drivers (like display drivers are) or faulty hardware.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 9:09 am

Diebert van Rhijn wrote:While you didn't specify that you didn't have a Mac in the first place (probably not :-) and you didn't made a further system description available, I'd make sure your video driver and BIOS are using the latest drivers/firmware. Check this on the sites of supplier of video & bios/motherboard.

One reason I suggest this is that Second Life can really screw your videocard if not compatible and the stress might have made it decide to start chasing the mice, ie changed its internal configuration somehow.

Freezing computers (assuming it froze and not just mouse functionaly stopped) are often caused by failing or conflicting low level drivers (like display drivers are) or faulty hardware.

Diebert,

Thank you very much. (WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 2) Please realize that kowtaaia=computer idiot, so how do you do what you suggested?

Diebert van Rhijn · Post by **Diebert van Rhijn** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:05 am

Is this the message you keep getting? ;-)

If you really want more help, you might find some error in the logfiles: Settings->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Event Viewer. Check the logfiles for any clue, like errors occuring around freezing time.

And I might need some specs to help you more: goto Start->Programs->Acessoires->System Tools->System Information.

What's under System summary->BIOS Version/Date? (system summary)
What's under Components->Display->Name?
What's under Components->Display->Driver Version?
What's under Components->Input->Pointing Device->Hardware Type ?
What's under Components->Input->Pointing Device->Driver ?

If you feel adventurous you can check menu option like View->System history, to see if anything changed with your hardware recently. Check out also Tools->System Restore to see if you could restore to an earlier point before the problems started.

You can PM me as well to take this discussion 1 to 1.

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:07 am

Well, you have my humblest apologies sir. What kind of comp do you have? If it's home made what type of mother board is it?

You can get the drivers from the manufacturers website.

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:28 am

Actually Kow, scratch that. It sounds like Diebert knows what he's talking about.

Curiously though, have you had any recent storms in your area? By recent I mean, of course, correlating with your comp problem.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:14 pm

Work, work, work, work, work, work, work! :)

edit: content removed.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 12:17 pm

beebuddy wrote:Actually Kow, scratch that. It sounds like Diebert knows what he's talking about.

Curiously though, have you had any recent storms in your area? By recent I mean, of course, correlating with your comp problem.

It started with the 'Second Life' download.

Dan Rowden · Post by **Dan Rowden** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:03 pm

You could also perhaps try one of the Second Life discussion boards. Your mouse issue may be known to users.

http://www.slorums.net/forums/

http://sl-forums.com/

That is, assuming I'm even thinking of the right "Second Life".

beebuddy · Post by **beebuddy** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:13 pm

kowtaaia wrote:
beebuddy wrote:Actually Kow, scratch that. It sounds like Diebert knows what he's talking about.

Curiously though, have you had any recent storms in your area? By recent I mean, of course, correlating with your comp problem.
It started with the 'Second Life' download.

Yes or no please.

Bo · Post by Bo » Fri Dec 01, 2006 8:12 pm

kowtaaia wrote:Hopefully, a thread on com problems is acceptable in this forum.

Anyhow, the computer keeps freezing and the message ballon reads (words to the effect) "the computer doesn't recognize the mouse."

It's getting to be a pain in the bum to keep turning off the computer and restarting it, especially when it freezes in the middle of a response. Any genius solutions?

Kow - it's good to get the exact error message and then place it in the Google envelope as this (usually) returns a lot of solutions ie. people have asked the question multiple times.

Anyway with the statement above, I fed it to Google and s/he came up with a few:

1. http://www.pcboe.net/les/lmc/help.htm This one is not very useful - just says 'it happens' and suggests "First, try disconnecting and then reconnecting the problem device. If this doesn't solve your problem, shut down the computers. Wait a minute or two, then turn on the computers." which you are already doing mostly

2. VAIO Computer Manual -

What do I do if the computer doesnâ€™t recognize the mouse?❑Make sure the mouse is securely plugged into the port.
❑Restart the computer with the mouse connected to the computer

Sounds consistent....

Not sure myself - the above probably isn't too helpful.

There are some computer forums around the shop, kow - you could try there.

Diebert van Rhijn · Post by **Diebert van Rhijn** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 10:59 pm

Kowtaaia, in case the error returned and as already asked by Bo: what is the *exact* error message? But what I'd really like to know if your computer really freezes or does only the mouse pointer freeze? In other words can you still use the keyboard after the error, like CTRL-ESC, TAB, CTRL-ALT-DEL, etc. Big difference.

It the keyboard doesn't respond either I'd start to suspect a problem with the XP mainboard/video drivers, or a problem unrelated to the softwake like power/heating/memory/processor hardware.

If somehow you can find out which system you own, brand and model and tell me. Or if the system is customized to find out motherboard type (possible printed on box or manuals, or you have to look inside the PC) then I could point you to some possible updates. It's best to have first updated all low level elements to the latest versions (XP patches, videodriver, chipsetdriver) before suspecting something else, or re-installing XP.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:16 am

Dan Rowden wrote:You could also perhaps try one of the Second Life discussion boards. Your mouse issue may be known to users.

http://www.slorums.net/forums/

http://sl-forums.com/

That is, assuming I'm even thinking of the right "Second Life".

Thanks Dan. That will remain an option IF the com screws up, again.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:17 am

beebuddy wrote:
kowtaaia wrote:
beebuddy wrote:Actually Kow, scratch that. It sounds like Diebert knows what he's talking about.

Curiously though, have you had any recent storms in your area? By recent I mean, of course, correlating with your comp problem.
It started with the 'Second Life' download.
Yes or no please.

No.

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:20 am

Bo,

It's all been done. If it happens again, the error message will be copied EXACTLY as it is.

Thank you for your time, though.

EDIT: Yes, there are some excellent Com forums, but this is supposed to be a genius forum! :)

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:29 am

Diebert van Rhijn,

Re message: read above. :)
The keyboard (the arrow keys) still function when the mouse freezes.

The motherboard was replaced a few months ago.

The com has a SYSTEM RECOVERY feature (not to be confused with sytem restore), that brings the com back to the way it was coming out of the box. With a partition, not alot is lost, except for ALL updates. It's an option that has worked before.

So far, so good, though, so let's wait and see. Thank you, again.

Diebert van Rhijn · Post by **Diebert van Rhijn** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:31 am

So it's just the mouse and it's connected with USB?

Try putting it in another USB port next time.

Check under Hardware Resources->Conflicts with the System Information program I described before.

Otherwise it could be related with Power Save option, or you have a cordless and something is wrong with it like batteries being down :)

kowtaaia · Post by **kowtaaia** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:19 am

Diebert van Rhijn wrote: So it's just the mouse and it's connected with USB?

Yes.

Diebert van Rhijn wrote: Try putting it in another USB port next time.

All of the ports have been tried.
"Computer idiot" doesn't mean "Reallly fucking stupid", you know? :)

Diebert van Rhijn wrote: Check under Hardware Resources->Conflicts with the System Information program I described before.

Otherwise it could be related with Power Save option, or you have a cordless and something is wrong with it like batteries being down :)

O.K. Not cordless.

Diebert van Rhijn · Post by **Diebert van Rhijn** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:46 am

kowtaaia wrote: All of the ports have been tried.
"Computer idiot" doesn't mean "Reallly fucking stupid", you know? :)

Is that so? Get a Mac.

GENIUS FORUMS

The genius computer thread

The genius computer thread

Attack the problem at a higher level

Re: Attack the problem at a higher level

Re: The genius computer thread