Serial Mouse Functionality Lost in Windows 2000

ID: Q197184

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

SYMPTOMS

You may lose functionality of your serial mouse in Windows 2000.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if your mouse is attached to a serial switch box.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Method 1

NOTE: This method can be used only during initial installation because the values exist in the Hardware key, which is built during Windows 2000 Setup and cannot be accessed after Windows 2000 is installed. Since a setup information (.inf) file is being modified, Setup must be run from the I386 folder.

Using a text editor (such as Notepad), add the following line in the [Ser_Inst.HW.AddReg] and [LogiSer_Inst.HW.AddReg] sections of the Msmouse.inf file:

HKR,,"WaitEventMask",0x00010001,0xFFFFFFFF

NOTE: This setting locks the serial port for use only with a serial mouse. If you want to change the functionality of the serial port at a later time, you need to install Windows 2000 again.

Method 2

Restart your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 2000 does not provides a polling method for detecting the temporary removal or loss of serial devices. If the switch box is designed to disconnect and reconnect the serial port, the computer assumes the device is removed.

Additional query words: sermouse msmouse trackball

Keywords : kbhw
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb