Mouse in DOS

[dmiddl]

I just installed a MS optical wheel mouse (corded) and I like it a lot except for one thing - I no longer have a mouse available when I Restart in MS-DOS. I had it with my old Logitech wheel mouse (not optical) that i had to replace a/c broken wire in cord.

Is there any way I can set up the new mouse to be available in MS-DOS?

OS is Win 98SE. And I forgot to mention the new optical mouse is connected USB.

[not important]

I beleive the USB connection is the culprit. My PS/2 mouse will work in DOS but not my USB mouse. Both are optical.

[TwoRails]

DOS doesn't recognize USB, so you'd have to install drivers for a USB mouse, and, sorry, I don't know where you'd get them, if availible. Maybe drivers.com??

TwoRails

[glc]

You will have to connect it PS/2 and install a Microsoft mouse driver in your dosstart.bat file.

[Nuclear Krusader]

I'd use the USB to PS/2 adapter that came with the mouse. No point in using a USB port for the rodent when the mobo has a special port for it.

[dmiddl]

Thanks to all for the good info. I moved the mouse to the PS2 port, found a copy of mouse.com, installed it in C: and edited dosstart.bat to run it. I had read a post(s) that USB enabled better mouse performance than PS2 but I can't see any difference. Everything seems to work great in both windows and DOS.
Next question. Before I started to install the new optical mouse I figured I would have to enable Infrared in the BIOS so I went ahead and did so. Eventually it dawned on me that with a corded mouse enabling IR might not be necessary so I went back to the BIOS and disabled it. Everything continued to work well but I find that there is a new item in Control Panel named Infrared Recipient. In Device Manager, View Devices by Type, there is a new entry, Infrared Devices/Infrared Communication Device. In View devices by connection there is Infrared Communication Device/Virtual Infrared COM Port and Virtual Infared LPT Port. Do I need all of these device items or should I remove them via Device Manager?
Also, is it necessary to run irmon.exe? It was apparently installed automatically as a startup item when the new mouse was installed. I have unchecked it in msconfig startup items and so far haven't seen any adverse effect.
Sorry for dumb questions but I am proof that a LITTLE knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Dave

[glc]

Remove them all - IR is not for optical mice, it's for an IR transfer port option.

[dmiddl]

glc, once again, thanks for the lesson. I have been able to remove all Infrared items in Device Manager as well as those in the Network configuration. An icon for "Infrared Recipient" remains in the My Computer screen: I have been unable to remove it. There is also an "Infrared" icon in Control Panel which, when opened, only brings up an "Add Infrared Device Wizard" which for sure I don't want to do. I don't remember either of these icons existing before I blundered into enabling Infrared in the BIOS. While I have not been able to remove them, I can't see that they are causing any problems. At the same time as long as they are not needed it would be neat to eliminate them. Any suggestions?

Dave

[glc]

That would require registry editing - and I don't know exactly where you would want to go. I don't see where they are doing any harm.

[TwoRails]

Just a quick note on:

USB enabled better mouse performance than PS2 but I can't see any difference

A USB mouse will never really be "better" for one main reason: USB ports are low priority in the scheme of things. For example, my hardwired trackball will always "move" even when the system is under high load. My USB mouse, on the other hand, will "stall" and appear very slugish under the same conditions.

Also, "better" is relative, as many prefer USB mice for gaming. I use my USB mouse for gaming, and most other things, but mainly because it's wireless and I like that.

TwoRails

PS: the trackball is a Logitech Marble FX, and the USB is the Logitech MX 700

[dmiddl]

Okay. I'm cool with leaving things alone now.

Dave