Installing a serial mouse on a Laptop

[y2kman]

My brother has a Compaq that is using a mouse tablet and a ps/2 mouse which works fine. It's the type of mouse that you operate by dragging your finger on a tablet.

But how do I get my serial mouse to work? It's hooked up properly to the back of the Laptop but that's it. The computer still sees the PS/2 only.

How do I switch it from PS/2 to Serial mouse? How do I get into the BIOS and all that? Is it F10? If so, what do I switch. Is it treated like any other ordinary PC?

Thanks
Dave

[Xayd]

If I understand you correctly, you have the laptop's tablet mouse, and a PS/2 mouse attached already?

Can't have two mice at the same time. Only one will work. If you attach a PS/2 mouse the laptop should disable the tablet mouse, but you can't have a PS/2 and a serial mouse together, it'll only find one. To use the serial, you need to go into control panel/system/device manager/ and remove the PS/2 mouse, then remove it from the port and reboot the machine, and it should find the serial mouse, assuming the machine doesn't "assume" a second mouse will be on the PS/2 port.

As far as getting in the BIOS, usually F1 or delete. Try those two buttons, and if they don't work, try all the F keys when it boots, gotta be one of em'. ;)

Xayd

[glc]

Some laptops just won't work with a serial mouse. It might work if you uninstall all the touchpad drivers, but then the touchpad won't work when you pull the mouse. Best to stick with a PS/2 mouse because it *will* work with touchpad drivers.

[y2kman]

Hi glc

Actually it's only a tablet mouse with no other mouse attached on the back.

I connected a serial mouse only to see if it will automatically plug n play and it did not.

In the device manager for mouse it lists ps/2.

Should I just remove the ps/2 driver or what steps should I take.

Sorry for not making that clear. I thought the tablet mouse was using the ps/2 port.

I am not familiar with laptops.

Thanks

[y2kman]

Ok I read your second post after submitting my last one. I will try the PS/2 mouse and see what happens.

Is that all I need to do? Just install the PS/2 mouse in the back of the laptop? Is it similar to connecting one to a tower pc?

[Xayd]

Exactly the same. There's no advantage to using a serial connection on the mouse rather than PS/2. Considering the laptop is in all likelihood set somehow to "look" for a PS/2 mouse but not a serial one, that'd be the most painless way to go anyways.

Xayd

[Felix]

Did you install the touch pad driver??? http://www.synaptics.com

[glc]

The touchpad is using PS/2 *internally*. Plug a regular mouse into the PS/2 port on most laptops and it will take over from the touchpad. On some laptops, the touchpad remains active. Don't plug or pull the mouse while the laptop is powered up.

[y2kman]

Felix I did not install the touchpad. I went ahead and connected the ps/2 mouse and everything works now including the touchpad mouse. Thanks to glc and everyone else who helped or tried to help.

Dave

[Felix]

I configured several notebooks for some staff members at work. As far as I can remember the touchpad driver offers some additional benefits including operating a serial mouse and the touchpad the same time. Of course the tochpad doesn't need a driver to run but to get the maximum out of it. It's just like the logitech mouse driver to get 3rd mouse button support. I suggest you get the driver anyway. You'll enjoy it.

[y2kman]

So there is an extra driver for a serial mouse and it also works with the touch pad? That's good to know. This is my brother's laptop and all he wanted was a mouse so he is ok with the ps/2 but I will take your advice into consideration in case an issue like that ever come up in the future.

Thanks

[Felix]

At least that's what I'm remembering... :D Though, serial mouse or not, the touchpad driver has settings that makes your touchpad run smoother. I love to use the touchpad with the driver anyway.

[glc]

The touchpad driver was preinstalled by Compaq unless you blew it away.

[Jenni]

As far as I know, laptop PS/2 ports are not like desktop ports in that it is fine to plug and unplug stuff while the machine is powered up. I know it was that way with the Fujitsu Lifebook I had. The owners manual says "A mouse, keyboard or keypad may be installed and automatically recognized by your notebook without restarting or changing setups." I'm pretty sure all laptops are that way.