APC Powerchute Disables Serial Mouse in Boot.ini

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server

SYMPTOMS

When you set up American Power Conversion (APC) Powerchute software, the NoSerialMice:COMx option is added to the Boot.ini file as follows:

   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT35="Windows NT Workstation

      Version 3.51" /NoSerialMice:COMx

   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT35="Windows NT Workstation

      Version 3.51 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos /NoSerialMice:COMx 

CAUSE

The COMx device will be set according to the COMx option that is selected during APC setup. If this COMx device is set incorrectly, or if it is in conflict with a pointing device already using the COMx port, the pointing device will no longer function due to an incorrect setting in Boot.ini.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, modify the Boot.ini file as follows:

1. On File Manager View menu, click By File Typeand then click Show Hidden- System Files.



2. Find Boot.ini in C:\ (or appropriate partition).



3. On the File Manager menu, choose Attributes and clear all file attributes.



4. Edit the file with Notepad to contain the appropriate settings according to the following information:
   
   /NoSerialMice - Disables the detection of serial mice on all COM ports.
   
   /NoSerialMice:COMx - Disables the detection of serial mice on COMx, where x is the number of the port.
   
   /NoSerialMice:COMx,y,z - Disables the detection of serial mice on COM x, COMy and COMz.



5. Save and quit Notepad.



6. Return the attribute permissions cleared in Step 3.



7. Restart the computer.

Additional query words: serial pointer devices mouclass sermouse

Keywords : kbsetup ntsetup
Version : WINDOWS:2000; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb