Could someone help me out with my computer problem?

[Arcadeslasher]

I have an old Dell PC that has two versions of Windows XP Pro installed. One is the 64 bit version and the other is the 32 bit version. I'm using a USB corded mouse and the mouse works just fine when I'm running XP Pro 64 bit, but the PC doesn't recognize it at all when I'm running the 32 bit version. It doesn't even recognize it as being plugged in. I know it has to be something simple, but I just can't figure it out. Any help would really be appreciated.

[drventure]

Is it an offbrand mouse? Standard MS mouse compatible mice should just automatically recognize.

Could be missing drivers if it's an offbrand.

Can you grab a different mouse and try it?

[adder]

your xp version: are u running something like microxp or tinyxp?

just to confirm, for your 32bit xp are u ok with other usb devices, eg. if u put in a usb flash memory drive, or eg. usb keyboard?

if yes, perhaps just try another mouse

[Arcadeslasher]

It's a standard Dell mouse and all other USB devices such as the keyboard work fine. Another mouse that I have from my newest PC which is a Dell as well works fine on it and the mouse that doesn't work on the old PC works fine on my newer Dell so I know the mouse is fine. That's why I can't figure this out. How can the same mouse work just fine on the same PC under one operating system and not on the other?

[JDFan]

Hmm -- the first time you plugged it into the other machine did it load a driver ? and when you plugged the other systems mouse into this machine did it load a driver to make it work ? Does the mouse show up in Control panel - mouse when plugged in and what driver does it show it using and does it show it working properly or have an error ? Could also try the add hardware wizard with it plugged in and see if it finds it that way. Or since the other mouse works perhaps just switch the mice between the 2 systems.

[Arcadeslasher]

When I first plugged the mouse into the PC it was detected and showed the "now installing" tab. After that, the mouse worked for a second and then stopped and it does not show up in the control panel at all. The reason that I don't just switch the mouse with the one that works is because I'm working on this computer for a friend and they want to use a wireless mouse. I tried their wireless mouse and it didn't work either.

[ed12]

u stated u are running x86 and x64 right ?
if so are they on the same parition of the hard drive or on different paritions ?

ed

[TKW4rr10r]

Definitely sounds like a corrupted/missing driver issue. If you have the device manager window open, then plug in the mouse, do you see anything happen in that window? You can even leave both the working and non working mice plugged in at the same time, to make navigating the windows easier.
I'm just curious if any device suddenly shows in the Device Manager listings (not necessarily under mice or input devices) as being disabled or not working. You can try rolling back the driver or re-installing if you see anything show up.

Also, if the mouse in question came with the PC, check under Dell's site for any drivers specific to that mouse under that version of OS. It could be just different enough that it won't fall under any generic automatic drivers and require a manual install.

Good luck.

[Arcadeslasher]

TKW, I tried plugging and unplugging the mouse with the device manager window open and nothing happens. It's as if the mouse isn't even being plugged in at all. Ed12, I'm not sure if both versions of Windows are running on the same or different partition.

[ed12]

windows explorer so u are looking into the box in question
so c:\windows
or
c:\windows
d:\windows
the last means 2 paritions of windows
the upper means they share the same parition <bad>
in short u should see 2 different paritions of windows
1 will be x64
1 will be x86

ed

[SavannahLion]

This happened to me. My wife has a SONY PC and, I'm reasonably sure, a Logitech wireless mouse that started behaving strangely, like you describe. The OS "picked up" the mouse for a short while, but it droped out entirely. Did all the usual, changed the batteries, tested on a different PC (that presented another set of problems however), etc.

I did do some research into it, and found some resources like Microsoft KB321122 article. The thing is is that 99% of what you find when doing searches like this is the same moron repeating the same moronic advice (eg replace the batteries) which overshadows any useful information. Worse, when I was writing this post, I tried to find the corresponding Logitech article and found this crazy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---....

But back to the topic, In those two links above are software package that might include the 32-bit drivers you need. It's worth a shot. I never really solved my mouse problem. My wife ended up buying a new wireless Logitech mouse and it became a non-issue and the old mouse became a donor in my parts bin. Might as well save yourself the hassle and get a new mouse. Short of intense gaming or top-of-the-line tech, these wireless mouse are all basically the same.

[kahlid74]

The mouse is already in the device manager, so you wouldn't see anything happen.  Mice like these are typically HID compatible so their drivers come stock with Windows XP.

Click the start button in the bottom right, select "Run" and type "Winver" for both the 32 bit and the 64bit.  What does it say?  Are they both the same Service Pack?

Right-Click "My Computer" and selevt "Manage"
     - There should be an "event viewer"
     - You want to look in the system and application logs.  Plug the mouse in and then go to each of those and see if you find any events that talk about a failed driver install

[SavannahLion]

Didn't the OP say that they tried another mouse and it worked?

Or wait... was that a wired mouse that worked and a 2nd wireless mouse that didn't work?

Nevermind, I worked it out.

That's what I get for a suck day....

[ed12]

SavannahLion
my next reply would have been the exact same
but added get a windows 7 compitiable unit
it will cover x64/x86

ed

[JDFan]

Strange -- IF you go to Device manager uinderr Mice and other pointing devices does it show one or more HID-compliant mouse entries ? If so then right click on them and select scan for hardware changes to see if it picks it up - if not uninstall them and then try unplugging and replugging in the mouse to see if it then runs the driver install again ( might have had a problem installing it the first time but is still seeing it as installed so is not reinstalling and uninstalling it may clear things up  )

[ed12]

i still see no reply to my q's x86/x64 on dif paritions
of the same drive.....
i now need to q hmm

ed

[ark_ader]

Probably a dodgy wire or the mouse is not plugged in the back and you are using the front USB which has a power issue.

[DaOld Man]

Dad blamed computers! They are going to be the death of us all I tell you!

[lcmgadgets]

+ 1. Skynet

[Drnick]

It's the PC, Happens to us all the time at work with Dell units, plug it in gets detected, then comes back saying there may be a problem with the firmware on the device and pfft, just stops, We find that unplugging it and plugging it into another port normally works.  Failing that we have to uninstall all USB Hubs etc from device manager and then let the system redetect.

[Arcadeslasher]

i still see no reply to my q's x86/x64 on dif paritions
of the same drive.....
i now need to q hmm

ed

Ed, there's nothing to question. I've just been too busy with work to check the forum every day. Anyway, your advice about partitions was a huge help. Both versions of Windows were installed on the same partition and I came to the conclusion that there must be some kind of conflict between the two. Long story short, I did a complete format of the hard drive and reinstalled just the 64 bit version and everything now works like a charm. I wanna thank all of you guys for the tips and advice. This was a head scratcher for sure so my hat's off to all of you for the help.   

[shmokes]

Probably a dodgy wire or the mouse is not plugged in the back and you are using the front USB which has a power issue.

A dodgy wire would cause the mouse to work properly every time in the 64-bit OS and none of the time in the 32-bit OS? How do you do this for a living?