Computer mouse switch going bad

My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 1/13/2018 4:29 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

Walmart has a USB mouse for $4.79 USD

 

[Mary-Jane Rottencrotch]

On 2018-01-13 13:29, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

Does it not have USB ports? Disregarding the utter ridiculousness of
still using Windows 98 in 2018, it supports USB just fine (since Windows
95 OSR 2.1, around 1997 - 21 years ago nearly).

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

Well what sort of switch is it? The crystal ball is a bit cloudy on this
one.

 

[Sjouke Burry]

On 13-1-2018 22:29, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

I have replaced some of those switches in a few mice.
The electronic lab had them in stock.
So somebody is selling them.
Try google......
Yep.
try
mouse microswitch in picture mode.
The tiny square ones are inside most mice.

 

On Saturday, 13 January 2018 21:59:49 UTC, Mary-Jane Rottencrotch wrote:

On 2018-01-13 13:29, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

Does it not have USB ports? Disregarding the utter ridiculousness of
still using Windows 98 in 2018, it supports USB just fine (since Windows
95 OSR 2.1, around 1997 - 21 years ago nearly).

98 usb support is not ideal, though it works adequately with nusb3.1 installed.
The point is that USB mice are not readable by 98 era machines until the OS has booted and loaded the USB driver. P/S2 & D9 mice are superior in this respect.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).


Well what sort of switch is it? The crystal ball is a bit cloudy on this
one.

Yes, either open the switch and clean the contacts or replace it. And always have a spare mouse, they never last forever.
FWIW with ball mice, the earlier D9 ones generally work much better IME.


NT

 

On Sat, 13 Jan 2018 16:53:13 -0500, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net>
wrote:

On 1/13/2018 4:29 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

Walmart has a USB mouse for $4.79 USD

You get a "F" for reading comprehension.

I SAID: I need a PS/2 mouse.
I probably have 4 USB mice, which are not suitable for my needs.

I did just find they make adaptors, to convert a USB mouse to PS/2. I
ordered one on ebay for about $3. But until I get it, I have to keep
fighting with this mouse, which works fine for awhile, then refuses to
do anything till I beat the crap out of that button a dozen times or
more.....

Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....
I'll probably buy several of them, if they have any PS/2 ones. Seems
that are getting hard to find....

I never understood the reasoning for USB mice or keyboards. Many
computers only have 2 USB ports. Why waste them for a mouse or keyboard
when there are PS/2 ports.... One of my computers had both a USB mouse
and keyboard, and only had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently these
are more "Designed by idiots" products.

 

[Fox's Mercantile]

On 1/13/18 4:50 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
> Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....

Predominately PS/2 mice and keyboards.

One of my computers had both a USB mouse and keyboard, and only
had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently
these are more "Designed by idiots" products.

You do know they make USB hubs right?


--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

 

On Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 4:32:27 PM UTC-5, olds...@tubes.com wrote:

My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

The switch inside is called a tact-switch and these are readily available and can be installed easily by anyone with soldering skills. The switches themselves are not "cleanable" typically. In most cases the small metal diaphragm gets fatigued and won't work properly. These switches usually cost less than $1

Dan

 

[rickman]

oldschool@tubes.com wrote on 1/13/2018 4:29 PM:

My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

I don't mean to pick on you, but there are so many things wrong with this
post.

Hey, I have a 91 year old friend who is blind and can't use his Windows 98
computer anymore. If you want it, its yours for the shipping. It includes
a wired ball mouse I'm sure. Heck, I probably have a few of those around
here if I dig a bit.

Oh yeah, they make PS/2 to USB adapters. They are maybe a buck.

--

Rick C

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms,
on the centerline of totality since 1998

 

[rickman]

oldschool@tubes.com wrote on 1/13/2018 5:50 PM:

On Sat, 13 Jan 2018 16:53:13 -0500, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net
wrote:

On 1/13/2018 4:29 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

Walmart has a USB mouse for $4.79 USD

You get a "F" for reading comprehension.

I SAID: I need a PS/2 mouse.
I probably have 4 USB mice, which are not suitable for my needs.

I did just find they make adaptors, to convert a USB mouse to PS/2. I
ordered one on ebay for about $3. But until I get it, I have to keep
fighting with this mouse, which works fine for awhile, then refuses to
do anything till I beat the crap out of that button a dozen times or
more.....

Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....
I'll probably buy several of them, if they have any PS/2 ones. Seems
that are getting hard to find....

I never understood the reasoning for USB mice or keyboards. Many
computers only have 2 USB ports. Why waste them for a mouse or keyboard
when there are PS/2 ports.... One of my computers had both a USB mouse
and keyboard, and only had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently these
are more "Designed by idiots" products.

By "many computers" you mean many computers running Windows 98, right? My
laptop has four USB Ports. I don't think I've seen one that has less than
three in the last 10 years.

--

Rick C

Viewed the eclipse at Wintercrest Farms,
on the centerline of totality since 1998

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 1/13/2018 5:50 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

On Sat, 13 Jan 2018 16:53:13 -0500, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net
wrote:

On 1/13/2018 4:29 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

Walmart has a USB mouse for $4.79 USD

You get a "F" for reading comprehension.

I SAID: I need a PS/2 mouse.
I probably have 4 USB mice, which are not suitable for my needs.

I did just find they make adaptors, to convert a USB mouse to PS/2. I
ordered one on ebay for about $3. But until I get it, I have to keep
fighting with this mouse, which works fine for awhile, then refuses to
do anything till I beat the crap out of that button a dozen times or
more.....

Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....
I'll probably buy several of them, if they have any PS/2 ones. Seems
that are getting hard to find....

I never understood the reasoning for USB mice or keyboards. Many
computers only have 2 USB ports. Why waste them for a mouse or keyboard
when there are PS/2 ports.... One of my computers had both a USB mouse
and keyboard, and only had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently these
are more "Designed by idiots" products.

I never even considered that would be a problem. I guess it was for you.
Sorry I was of no help. You have antique equipment and just thought you
could make use of modern available devices.

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 1/13/2018 6:43 PM, rickman wrote:

oldschool@tubes.com wrote on 1/13/2018 4:29 PM:
My mouse left button is getting real flakey. I took the whole thing
apart and cleaned everything. It still dont work all the time, so I
guess that switch is going bad. There dont seem to be any place to get
some contact cleaner inside of it.

Have any of you ever found a way to repair these switches?

Yea, I know computer mice are cheap, but I need a PS/2 connector and
want a ball mouse. I dont like the infared mice, and can not use a USB
mouse on my Windows 98 computer.

So, I have to order this on ebay since all the ones in the stores are
USB and infared these days.

So, until I can get one from ebay, is there any temporary fix? (The
other mouse functions work fine).

I don't mean to pick on you, but there are so many things wrong with
this post.

Hey, I have a 91 year old friend who is blind and can't use his Windows
98 computer anymore.  If you want it, its yours for the shipping.  It
includes a wired ball mouse I'm sure.  Heck, I probably have a few of
those around here if I dig a bit.

Oh yeah, they make PS/2 to USB adapters.  They are maybe a buck.

It's just another BS post from this AH.

 

[Fox's Mercantile]

On 1/13/18 8:31 PM, Tom Biasi wrote:

It's just another BS post from this AH.

Ayup.


--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 1/13/2018 9:57 PM, Fox's Mercantile wrote:

On 1/13/18 8:31 PM, Tom Biasi wrote:

It's just another BS post from this AH.

Ayup.

It's not my nature to say these things Jeff but I'm a little off my game
today.

 

[Rheilly Phoull]

On 14/01/2018 7:16 AM, Fox's Mercantile wrote:

On 1/13/18 4:50 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....

Predominately PS/2 mice and keyboards.

One of my computers had both a USB mouse and keyboard, and only
had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently
these are more "Designed by idiots" products.

You do know they make USB hubs right?


Cue to question from yesteryear "What's hub and will it work on my win98?"

 

On Sat, 13 Jan 2018 15:38:35 -0800 (PST), dansabrservices@yahoo.com
wrote:

The switch inside is called a tact-switch and these are readily available
and can be installed easily by anyone with soldering skills. The switches
themselves are not "cleanable" typically. In most cases the small metal
diaphragm gets fatigued and won't work properly. These switches

I always regret throwing stuff away. I have tossed several mice over the
years that probably still had usable switches. From what you said, the
price seems right, but only if it's free shipping. Much of the time
shipping a $1 item can cost as much as $10, or maybe even more. But I
will hang on to this mouse for now till I find a switch to use.
Soldering it is no problem.

 

[Fox's Mercantile]

On 1/13/18 9:09 PM, Rheilly Phoull wrote:

On 14/01/2018 7:16 AM, Fox's Mercantile wrote:
On 1/13/18 4:50 PM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:
Tomorrow I plan to go to Goodwill. They usually have mice....

Predominately PS/2 mice and keyboards.

One of my computers had both a USB mouse and keyboard, and only
had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently
these are more "Designed by idiots" products.

You do know they make USB hubs right?


Cue to question from yesteryear "What's hub and will it work on my win98?"

Well yeah.

Notwithstanding, here's the USB to PS/2 adapter you need.
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/252486083292>

And for your 2-USB Port box, you can buy one of these:
<https://www.ebay.com/itm/112496332260>
That will free up the 2nd USB port for you flash drives.


--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

 

[Fox's Mercantile]

On 1/14/18 3:00 AM, oldschool@tubes.com wrote:

Much of the time
shipping a $1 item can cost as much as $10, or maybe even more.

A myth for the most part, but shipping is not free.
When some says "Free shipping" the shipping cost is added to the part.


--
"I am a river to my people."
Jeff-1.0
WA6FWi
http:foxsmercantile.com

 

On Saturday, 13 January 2018 22:53:27 UTC, olds...@tubes.com wrote:

I did just find they make adaptors, to convert a USB mouse to PS/2. I
ordered one on ebay for about $3.

Sometimes those work, sometimes not. It depends on what the mouse & PC are capable of.

I never understood the reasoning for USB mice or keyboards. Many
computers only have 2 USB ports. Why waste them for a mouse or keyboard
when there are PS/2 ports.... One of my computers had both a USB mouse
and keyboard, and only had 2 USB ports. In order to use a flash drive I
had to keep unplugging either the mouse or keyboard.... Apparently these
are more "Designed by idiots" products.

It's a bit cheaper to lose the ps/2 ports, and end users assume USB mice are somehow better, although they're really worse.
And fwiw you can plug the mouse & keyboard into any usb port.


NT

 

[whit3rd]

On Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 1:03:23 AM UTC-8, olds...@tubes.com wrote:

On Sat, 13 Jan 2018 15:38:35 -0800 (PST), dansabrservices@yahoo.com
wrote:

The switch inside is called a tact-switch and these are readily available
and can be installed easily by anyone with soldering skills. The switches

I always regret throwing stuff away. I have tossed several mice over the
> years that probably still had usable switches.

Yeah, but... there's flat buttons and raised ones, 5mm square and 8mm square,
surface mount and through-hole, and probably a dozen other variants.

Sometimes the switch is just like one in my (sizeable) junque collection, sometimes not.
Every old dead VCR has a dozen, but that's not a dozen different types, just a dozen
examples.

Sometimes, too, it's a plastics-getting-sticky problem, and the switch is fine if
you just smear a tiny bit of silicone grease where the friction is.