Static electricity killed my cursor!

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

I walked up to my computer today and brought my hand to the mouse. There was a static discharge between my hand and the mouse. The cursor no longer moved when I moved the mouse. I managed to get it to reboot. Still no cursor movement. I disconnected the mouse from the mouse port and plugged in an old mouse. Still no cursor movement. I tried connecting and installing a cordless mouse via a USB port. (All of this is VERY frustratingly difficult to do without a working mouse.) That did not work either. I think I must have seriously zapped something.

Any one have any advice about what else to try or where to take it for repair?

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

Additional information

I am running Windows XP Home. The computer is out of warranty. If the problem is in the motherboard, it is time for a new computer. Other parts may still be available.

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

Works now with corded USB mouse.

I connected a corded USB mouse and, after the new hardware was detected, the cursor started moving again!

I still think the mouse port may be dead. I was thinking of getting a new computer after Vista had been out long enough to be debugged thoroughly. Should I continue to wait or update sooner while my system is still working?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I connected a corded USB mouse and, after the new hardware was detected, the cursor started moving again!

I still think the mouse port may be dead. I was thinking of getting a new computer after Vista had been out long enough to be debugged thoroughly. Should I continue to wait or update sooner while my system is still working?

I was thinking the same thing regarding your port or your mother board. Also I would check to see if there is a fast blow little fuse inside. I would not be buying a new computer now until Microsoft gets all of the many kinks out and they are a lot from what I have heard.

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

If your computer works well otherwise, I wouldn't replace it right now. Get yourself a cordless mousie with a USP transmitter. I have a Logitech one...the transmitter plugs into a USB or a hub,m and just sits somewhere on the desk. The mouse is has a battery, but also gets signals from the transmitter. The battery goes to sleep when not being used, so I only replace batteries a couple times a yeawr.

My husband has a MAC, and he has a Kensington wireless optical mouse, which works about the same way.

Fern

[EAM Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EAM]

I still think it is curious that the corded USB mouse works but the cordless USB mouse didn't. In both cases Windows detected the hardware and installed the drivers.

Thanks, Frank, for the idea about a fuse. I may check into that possibility.