#Magazine Article
25 messages in this thread
All,
I'm writing an article for CompuServe Magazine on computer mice.
I'd like to hear about any problems you may have experienced with your mouse
— tracking problems, problems with getting the buttons to work, installation
and compatibility woes, jumpy cursors, dirt and grime and all the rest.
How did you overcome these problems? Do you have any tips for new mouse
users? Any other thoughts or opinions?
–John Edwards, Contributing Editor, CompuServe Magazine
Ever since I moved into my new place my mouse has been leaving little "ram
terds" on the desk. These tiny specs of dirt are quite annoying and have
to be scraped off at least once a day. A lot of dust flows through my
house so I suppose that has something to do with the problem.
I have thoroughly cleaned my mouse time and again but that only helps
temporarily. I'm working on a mouse "pooper scooper" in the mean time.
Unique problem! 😉
Bob Comer
John,
I just had an experience with a dying Microsoft mouse.
A friend of mine had a mouse that was really bad – cursor jumped around,
sometimes did not track, and it made a kind of grinding sound when it was
used. He asked if I could help.
I opened it up, and found serious crud on the rollers. The mouse was
used, and heaven knows what kind of organic stuff found its way onto the
rollers. It was pretty disgusting.
However, a Q-Tip and some isopropyl alcohol (and some effort) cleaned up
the rollers nicely. Additionally, I dropped the mouse ball into a cup
filled with isopropyl, and swirled it around for a couple of minutes.
After letting everything dry, the mouse worked and felt like brand new,
even tracking effortlessly on a polished wooden desktop.
I have never been able to bring a mouse with dead buttons back from the
grave. It is my experience that when the buttons go, its time for a new
mouse.
Lastly…the best deal in a mouse is the CompuAdd serial mouse, for around
$20. It feels much better than any Logitech or Microsoft I've used, and
it goes for around $20. Dell's mouse is the same, but in a bus version,
and I imagine that it would not much more costly. I suggest that if
someone's mouse is really screwed up, they should invest in one of these
mouse bargains.
Jonathan, via AutoPilot // Only Amiga makes
\\// it possible…
Jonathan,
I have found a source for those micro-switches in the Amiga mouse. I've
replaced them in my almost six year old mouse and it is like new again. I
even raised the switches a bit from the printed circuit board, thus giving
it a hair trigger type effect. Very light pressure is all that is needed
to close the switches now. Before that, you practically had to stand on
the buttons to keep the contacts closed. 🙂
Chris
Where can you get micro-switches for an Amiga mouse?
Steve
Try Radio Shack
Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!
Thanks for the tip…but I'm pretty sure the Radio Shacks around here
wouldn't carry it. I'll give it a shot anyway.
Steve
Radio Shack carries micro switches…they are a regular stock item.
Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!
Dave,
I did the microswitch search a while back at Radio Crap err Shack, I took
the mouse's PCB to the salesperson and showed it to them, pointed at the
switches and asked, "do you carry this switch?" Answer, "NO! Never seen
one like that!"
If you want the switch call these people.
SAGER
MicroSwitches for Amiga Mouse (part)
Omicron B3F-5000 switch
2806 Southampton RD
Phila, PA 19154
In PA 1-215-464-4336
In MA 1-617-749-6700
Chris
What would I need switches for? I use a Logitech, lets see 3 years and still
with out a flaw.
Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!
"…What would I need switches for?…"
Beats me! Maybe after five and a half years you might need a replacement
switch like I did for my otherwise flawless C= mouse. <grin> But I don't
think the part # for the switch I gave you may be the one you'll need.
Guess you could try Radio Shack. <smile>
Chris
My Amiga mouse saw five years…but the switch finally gave out.
Steve
<<reprinted from a textfile I found in amigatech libraries.>>
A source for spare parts for ailing mice:
Steve,
As luck (and lots of hard drive space) would have it, I have a file that
tells all about the mouse switches. I got it from Usenet.. here it is:
>> can anyone tell me where to purchase Amiga mouse button switches??? I
have recently discovered that this type of switch is made by Omron and is
one of their B3F series The part numbers are
Standard (.3*10^6 operations) B3F-4000
Long Life (10*10^6 operations) B3F-5000
Gold Plated (10*10^6 operations) B3F-5001
Yes I realize that the last two have the same life, but the gold switch is
touted as 'high reliability'.
Omron's Canadian number is 416-298-9988 and they are distributed by
Future/Active components, Zentronics and Prelco. Omron also has a U.S.
office in Schaumburg Ill USA. Phone # unknown, and offices in many major
cities worldwide.
DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Omron in any way, have just received
their catalog and haven't actually purchased any switches yet.
douglee@becker
Okay, I've got "Shelly Ragon" (no relation to Ronnie) in Glendale Heights,
IL (outside Chicago) at 1-708-529-9977 or Nep Electronics in Woodale, IL
at 1-708-595-8500. Ask for "Fred" if you call the latter place, he'll
really be mystified why suddenly everyone's interested in this
microswitch. <g> — steve w.
After calling around I found this distributor in Philadelphia that shipped
to me as samples the few pieces they had in stock. These were
OMR B3F-5000 (Long Life) the others weren't in stock. They had a minimum
order of $30, and the B3F-5000 was inexpensive, I would have had to buy
around 100 pieces, the gold plated were about a $1.35 a piece if my memory
is correct.
SAGER
2806 Southampton Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
Phone numbers on packing slip are for MASS.
617 749-6700
FAX 617 749-2184
Forget the suggestion to try Radio Shack, they'll just look at you funny.
I know, because I DID TRY there first. This is a specialized micro switch
and it is not something that is needed by most electronic hackers.
Chris
Thanks, Chris! I'll poke around and see what I can find. Being the
packrat that I am, I didn't throw out the mouse…so maybe I can resurrect
it. 🙂
Steve
My Boing optical mouse skips like crazy and I hate it. Still no fix.
Stupid Mouse.
–Paul
>Do you have any tips
Only two:
Get a mouse pad. They may seem unnecessary, but they keep the mouse ball
clean, which in turn keeps the rollers inside the mouse clean.
Don't every use those cute, fuzzy, "mouse" mouse covers (or any mouse
cover). I got one for a present many years ago, and after a day's worth of
use, I had to disassemble the mouse to get the fuzz out.
Using a Logitech custom hack.
Never a problem, always a joy to use.
Dave
Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!
Hmm, This isn't really a mouse EXPERIENCE but it is something that's kind of
funny. I used to work at Software Etc. Our store used IBM registers.
Periodically IBM would send in a service man to clean the thing up, dust it off
etc. Anyways he came in one day and handed me a memo which he said had been
floating around the techs for awhile. Apperently this is an ACTUAL memo sent
out to IBM service techs (whether you believe it or not is up to you) according
to him, the guy who wrote this was ABSOLUTELY serious. The Memo is as follows:
To: David Walker (NT) Dept. 1157 RTP
FROM: Jeff Sharpe (ENR) Dept. 3303 REAPK
SUBJ: IBM Ball Replacement
Abstract: Mouse ball available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit)
Mouse balls are now available as FRU. Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate
or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of
the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only
be attempted by properly trained personal. Before proceeding, determine the
type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls
will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ
depending upon manufacture of the mouse. Domestic balls are replaced using the
twist-off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However
excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball
replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.
It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for
maintaining optimum customer satisfaction and that any customer missing his
balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items.
Our service guy swore it was a real memo. I though it was pretty funny
regaurdless.
Later,
Craig Glaser – via Whap!
Scuse me while I pick myself up off the floor! That's probably the
funniest memo I've ever seen! (I've seen many IBM memos over the year,
and it really doesn't surprise me that this is real, but this is the best
one I've ever seen!)
I think I'm going to clip this out and show it to a few poeple at the
office…
Bob Comer
I've seen this memo faxed as a goof. Kinda like one of those "fax" junk
mail things that happen every now and then.
It looked authentic enough.
Hilarious, but maybe there's some truth to it?
I'm not volunteering. 8)
Miguel ——– AP, AP, and away!
Craig,
Great story. Too bad it's a family magazine <G>. –John
Craig,
ROFL
That memo is worthy of being faxed to as many office FAX machines as
possible! Har, Har, HAR!
Rest assured, I and probably several other persons have saved that POST as
an individual message and will probably pass it around for months to come,
in fact it is being surreptiously FAXed to my office this very evening.
Thank you for the sidesplitting laugh,
Chris
Prob. is real…I've seen it on A LOT of private BBSes
Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!