Microsoft Sidewinder mouse and static

milehile · 11-21-2008, 05:06 PM

Hello all. I tried looking for information about this problem, but can't seem to find anything, so, maybe someone knows.

I have a Microsoft Sidewinder mouse, and as some of you might know, it has a metal scroll wheel. Well, earlier today, I'm sitting at my computer and I shifted my feet to be a little more comfortable. With this shift, I created a static charge, and when I went to grab my mouse, the metal scroll wheel shocked me with static electricity.

I'm wondering if this is going to hurt the computer or the mouse at all. Nothing happened to the computer or the mouse when I zapped it. I'm just worried if it's going to hurt anything.

Edit: I know that it's not safe to zap the computer, but what about the stuff that's connected to it?

**mike2020learnin** · 11-23-2008, 07:51 PM

Hello & welcome to TSF,

well you have guessed right about static shock / it can kill you system compleatly or devices

now this mouse

if i am correct it is protected

the only part that is metal is the ball and it rest in plastic set to wich it is connected to rollers on the inside wich are also plastic & sheilded from the ball its self / but to take no chances you may want to get a plastic floor mat that they use in offices to prevent further shocks

they can be purchased at (office Max) $ unknown / or wear rubber gloves / or get a differnt mouse / wear some shoes / slippers

also what is your desk made of (metal) / these can be grounded

milehile · 11-25-2008, 09:34 PM

Desk is wood. I'm wearing slippers when getting the static. The wheel is metal as well as the side browser buttons. I haven't had any static issues in the last couple days. I will see about getting some kind of plastic mat for the floor. They can get pricey though. I work at Staples and they have them starting at $20 for cheapo garbage and range up to $60 for large higher quality mats. I don't know, we'll see.

**mike2020learnin** · 11-25-2008, 09:44 PM

Hello ,

well i hope you get it worked out

and no damage happens

good luck

11-21-2008, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 473 OS: Windows 7 RC My System	Microsoft Sidewinder mouse and static Hello all. I tried looking for information about this problem, but can't seem to find anything, so, maybe someone knows. I have a Microsoft Sidewinder mouse, and as some of you might know, it has a metal scroll wheel. Well, earlier today, I'm sitting at my computer and I shifted my feet to be a little more comfortable. With this shift, I created a static charge, and when I went to grab my mouse, the metal scroll wheel shocked me with static electricity. I'm wondering if this is going to hurt the computer or the mouse at all. Nothing happened to the computer or the mouse when I zapped it. I'm just worried if it's going to hurt anything. Edit: I know that it's not safe to zap the computer, but what about the stuff that's connected to it? __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?* Last edited by milehile; 11-21-2008 at 05:10 PM.

11-23-2008, 07:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
mike2020learnin Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan , I donated so can you Posts: 3,331 OS: Windows XP Home & Pro. Sp3 / both compleatly updated My System	Re: Microsoft Sidewinder mouse and static Hello & welcome to TSF, well you have guessed right about static shock / it can kill you system compleatly or devices now this mouse if i am correct it is protected the only part that is metal is the ball and it rest in plastic set to wich it is connected to rollers on the inside wich are also plastic & sheilded from the ball its self / but to take no chances you may want to get a plastic floor mat that they use in offices to prevent further shocks they can be purchased at (office Max) $ unknown / or wear rubber gloves / or get a differnt mouse / wear some shoes / slippers also what is your desk made of (metal) / these can be grounded __________________ Mike, I will stick with you till the issue is resolve !! Please help the TSF site by donating How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000

11-25-2008, 09:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
milehile Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 473 OS: Windows 7 RC My System	Re: Microsoft Sidewinder mouse and static Desk is wood. I'm wearing slippers when getting the static. The wheel is metal as well as the side browser buttons. I haven't had any static issues in the last couple days. I will see about getting some kind of plastic mat for the floor. They can get pricey though. I work at Staples and they have them starting at $20 for cheapo garbage and range up to $60 for large higher quality mats. I don't know, we'll see. __________________ *When you don't do something right, how can you be sure you've done anything at all?*

11-25-2008, 09:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
mike2020learnin Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan , I donated so can you Posts: 3,331 OS: Windows XP Home & Pro. Sp3 / both compleatly updated My System	Re: Microsoft Sidewinder mouse and static Hello , well i hope you get it worked out and no damage happens good luck __________________ Mike, I will stick with you till the issue is resolve !! Please help the TSF site by donating How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000