Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!oberon!nunki.usc.edu!sal41.usc.edu!rjung
From: rjung@sal41.usc.edu (Robert  allen Jung)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Atari ST mouse: is there an alternative?
Message-ID: <2623@nunki.usc.edu>
Date: 7 Feb 89 17:35:11 GMT
References: <733@bnlux0.bnl.gov>
Sender: news@nunki.usc.edu
Reply-To: rjung@sal41.usc.edu (Robert  allen Jung)
Organization: O-Mayer V BBS, Los Angeles, CA  (213) 732-0229
Lines: 42


>Our group has a number of Atari ST1040s, used mainly as graphics
>terminals.  We have been having a certain problem, apparently well
>known, with the mice.  After a while they stop being able to drag the cursor
>properly.  Sometimes they can still drag it in one direction but not
>in the opposite direction.  Sometimes they can move it, but very very
>slowly.  The cursor also sometimes drifts up to the top of the screen, or
>over to one side.  It's been possible to get them fixed or replaced, of
>course, but it is a pain in the neck.  I'd like to know if there is
>any more reliable alternative mouse (or other device which could serve 
>the function) that could be adapted to the ST.

  Have you tried to clean your mouse? I use the following method:

1. Clean the mouse balls (sounds obscene  B-). No big deal, give them a wipe
   with a tissue.

2. Clean the mouse rollers. Inside the ball cavity are two rollers, one
   for horizontal and vertical movement. Clean off _all_ the gunk and dirt
   you see on them. You may want to open up the mouse itself to do this
   (Trust me, it's harmless)

3. If steps #1 and #2 don't alleviate your problem, try spraying the diagonal
   roller (opposite from the horizontal/vertical rollers) with some WD-40,
   or other lubricant. You may also want to clean out the dirt that has
   accumulated there as well.

  Whenever my mouse acts weird (mostly extreme difficulties moving the cursor),
I do the above steps, and save myself $50.

						--R.J.
						B-)

P.S. I heard somebody's selling an optical mouse interface (Look Ma, no
moving parts) for the Atari ST. Does anybody have any details?

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