desktop restore, optical mouse not working

debbles70 · 06-01-2006, 02:13 PM

Hi, I am new here first time posting, not a computer pro, just know enough to get me by. (sometimes) LOL

I am trying to help a 78 yr old neighbor with her PC, she uses Millennium still. I fixed an error message that was freezing up her PC, but because we had to shut down the PC manually it came up with the Desktop Restore button and the optical mouse is not working because it by passed the start mode. I couldn't figure out how to get to the button using the keypad, finally I hit something that made it go away, but now the screen is all fuzzy looking. The optical mouse is still not working and can't figure out what do to now. Any advice??
Thanks !
Debbles

Changeling · 06-01-2006, 04:21 PM

Hmmm I'm guessing here but I'll have a go.

Desktop restore button is that "Restore active desktop"??

large button on a white background with a large blue triangle.

Fuzzy screen.... I wonder if the system has reset the graphics to 16 colours??

Are you in safe mode??
this may explain the different screen and mouse drivers not loading.

Optical mice are known for playing up some work well others need to be thrown out.

This could get realy long winded and complicated.

for now I'll just give you the quick version.

It is possible to navigate windows without a mouse.

the keys are...
CNTL + ESC will opperate the start button

TAB will change the focus group

arrows navigate within a group

ENTER to select an item (click)

Now this will work in all versions of windows. Try it now go on play around with it. Once you have got the idea of how it works you should be able to navigate windows ME and fix the mouse problems.

Yes there are other keys but the above will get you started.
for more of them go to

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q126449

debbles70 · 06-01-2006, 06:36 PM

Hi,
I tried all of the above, as far as using the keyboard commands. I was able to boot up and shut down the PC not in safe mode. When I booted up I got the desktop restore button, yes the long blue button with a white background. But because my mouse would not work , I couldn't figure out how to get to the middle of the screen to click on the blue bar. So when I did hit a key that I though solved the problem I ended up with the fuzzy redish blue colors. And of course the mouse was not working. When it says to right click and you don't have use of the mouse, how do go about doing that with the keyboard? What do I look for to fix the mouse, since it seems to work fine in safe mode. The pc is by passing the start mode and hence the mouse is not loading.

Changeling · 06-02-2006, 02:24 AM

"The PC is by-passing the start mode" ????

Explain further please, If your not in safe mode what do you mean by by-passing start mode??

Key sequence for "restore active desktop" without a mouse.

CNTL + ESC (start menu pops up)
CNLT + ESC (start menu disappears)

but the word START now has a dotted line round it.

press TAB 5 times and hit ENTER.

Changeling · 06-02-2006, 04:47 AM

Ok I’ve been thinking on this most of the day.

I am sill not sure what you mean by “By-passing start mode”

Windows ME systems have only 3 start up possibilities.

1 General boot failure when the system won’t start up at all. You’re not in this category as you can get to the desk top.

2. Safe mode, which you seem to be able to recognise and are sure that you are not getting safe mode.

3. Full operation, Windows running normally.

You say that the desktop shows “Active desktop recovery” this is nothing to do with windows crashing out it is more to do with post crash recovery. All you need to do to clear this is click the button which restores the active desk top.

BUT…… you mouse won’t work!!!!

Ok we have already discussed how to navigate windows without a mouse.

So start/settings/control panel/system/device manager.

Look for a mouse icon. Then properties.

Without a mouse just using the keyboard this will be longwinded and tedious, I do understand and sympathise. I’ve done it hundreds of times. Keep going using the tab key and arrow keys you will get there.

Check that the correct drivers are installed. If not reinstall them.

You may wish to try another mouse take yours with you it may work. Presuming it’s the same type.

Again in device manager check the graphic card driver properties in the same way.

Try using add new hardware in control panel to add a new standard mouse.

You may wish to reinstall the drivers from the installation CD’s.

DAMN this is frustrating If I were there I could fix this in minutes.

06-01-2006, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
debbles70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2 OS: XP	desktop restore, optical mouse not working Hi, I am new here first time posting, not a computer pro, just know enough to get me by. (sometimes) LOL I am trying to help a 78 yr old neighbor with her PC, she uses Millennium still. I fixed an error message that was freezing up her PC, but because we had to shut down the PC manually it came up with the Desktop Restore button and the optical mouse is not working because it by passed the start mode. I couldn't figure out how to get to the button using the keypad, finally I hit something that made it go away, but now the screen is all fuzzy looking. The optical mouse is still not working and can't figure out what do to now. Any advice?? Thanks ! Debbles

06-01-2006, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Changeling Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 423 OS: XP, Waiting for Vista serivce pack 1 before I commit.	Hmmm I'm guessing here but I'll have a go. Desktop restore button is that "Restore active desktop"?? large button on a white background with a large blue triangle. Fuzzy screen.... I wonder if the system has reset the graphics to 16 colours?? Are you in safe mode?? this may explain the different screen and mouse drivers not loading. Optical mice are known for playing up some work well others need to be thrown out. This could get realy long winded and complicated. for now I'll just give you the quick version. It is possible to navigate windows without a mouse. the keys are... CNTL + ESC will opperate the start button TAB will change the focus group arrows navigate within a group ENTER to select an item (click) Now this will work in all versions of windows. Try it now go on play around with it. Once you have got the idea of how it works you should be able to navigate windows ME and fix the mouse problems. Yes there are other keys but the above will get you started. for more of them go to http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;q126449

06-01-2006, 06:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
debbles70 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Hi, I tried all of the above, as far as using the keyboard commands. I was able to boot up and shut down the PC not in safe mode. When I booted up I got the desktop restore button, yes the long blue button with a white background. But because my mouse would not work , I couldn't figure out how to get to the middle of the screen to click on the blue bar. So when I did hit a key that I though solved the problem I ended up with the fuzzy redish blue colors. And of course the mouse was not working. When it says to right click and you don't have use of the mouse, how do go about doing that with the keyboard? What do I look for to fix the mouse, since it seems to work fine in safe mode. The pc is by passing the start mode and hence the mouse is not loading.

06-02-2006, 02:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Changeling Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 423 OS: XP, Waiting for Vista serivce pack 1 before I commit.	"The PC is by-passing the start mode" ???? Explain further please, If your not in safe mode what do you mean by by-passing start mode?? Key sequence for "restore active desktop" without a mouse. CNTL + ESC (start menu pops up) CNLT + ESC (start menu disappears) but the word START now has a dotted line round it. press TAB 5 times and hit ENTER.

06-02-2006, 04:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Changeling Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 423 OS: XP, Waiting for Vista serivce pack 1 before I commit.	Ok I’ve been thinking on this most of the day. I am sill not sure what you mean by “By-passing start mode” Windows ME systems have only 3 start up possibilities. 1 General boot failure when the system won’t start up at all. You’re not in this category as you can get to the desk top. 2. Safe mode, which you seem to be able to recognise and are sure that you are not getting safe mode. 3. Full operation, Windows running normally. You say that the desktop shows “Active desktop recovery” this is nothing to do with windows crashing out it is more to do with post crash recovery. All you need to do to clear this is click the button which restores the active desk top. BUT…… you mouse won’t work!!!! Ok we have already discussed how to navigate windows without a mouse. So start/settings/control panel/system/device manager. Look for a mouse icon. Then properties. Without a mouse just using the keyboard this will be longwinded and tedious, I do understand and sympathise. I’ve done it hundreds of times. Keep going using the tab key and arrow keys you will get there. Check that the correct drivers are installed. If not reinstall them. You may wish to try another mouse take yours with you it may work. Presuming it’s the same type. Again in device manager check the graphic card driver properties in the same way. Try using add new hardware in control panel to add a new standard mouse. You may wish to reinstall the drivers from the installation CD’s. DAMN this is frustrating If I were there I could fix this in minutes.