Difficult serial trackball

[crashwg]

I've got a serial trackball hooked up to my girls' computer because a) a trackball is easier for them to use and b) it's got LEDs in it that light one color (I changed to Pink) most of the time and another (I plan on changing to UV) when you click any of the three buttons. 

It's giving me some trouble though which is why I'm coming to the place with all the answers! 

To make the trackball work you have to move the ball during startup.  Here's how it goes. 

First, when I do nothing.
I hit the power button, about 20 seconds pass then the LEDs blink twice, just a quick blink and then they stay off.

And to get it to work...
I hit the power button, about 20 seconds pass 'till the LEDs blink the same twice but this time I'm moving the ball.  Starting to move it just a few seconds before they blink is enough.  So it blinks, yea, then off for a second or two then two more blinks followed by a second or two off then the LEDs come on and stay on at the same time the WinXP logon screen comes up.

I'm at a loss here.  I even went and bought a serial to USB adapter but that doesn't seem to work from a boot or hot-plugging.

I suppose I could scratch the idea of using this trackball and either use a different one or a mouse but I like the LEDs and the overall look of the trackball so any help would be appreciated.

[RayB]

Could be non-standard and require a driver.

[wizkid32]

I agree with Ray.
You should look for a driver and see if that solves your problem.
If that fails, you may have to get a different trackball.     These are good, though non-standard.  They even light up, and you can easily change the LEDs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-Trackball-2-1-4-MAME-ARCADE-PS2-PS-2-LED-/130550347141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e65683585#ht_1171wt_1344

[ark_ader]

I have the same problem with an old PS/2 trackball.

Works great with Windows 98SE but when you plug it into a XP box, it is very erratic.

Have you tried compatibility mode?  Doesn't work for me, but maybe it will for you.

Maybe you can get a driver from here:
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/util_e.html

 

[NiN^_^NiN]

You could try a serial to usb adapter that would turn on when windows starts to load and might stop it from blinking and then not working.

Also the whole trackball isn't powered from the serial port only is it? if so it could be the leds you used that might be causing to much of a power drain when it blinks as well.

Id say it could be a driver but the USB adapter should help that I think.

[Thenasty]

try changing the irq/com port from bios.

[Hoopz]

Any reason to bump a 3 year old thread?   

[NiN^_^NiN]

wow didn't even notice the date