Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!xanth!mcnc!rutgers!ucsd!ucbvax!decwrl!decvax!tektronix!ozvax!tekcsc!jeff
From: jeff@tekcsc.MKT.TEK.COM (Jeff Beadles)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Atari ST mouse: is there an alternative?
Message-ID: <166@tekcsc.MKT.TEK.COM>
Date: 12 Feb 89 18:03:50 GMT
References: <733@bnlux0.bnl.gov>
Reply-To: jeff@tekcsc.MKT.TEK.COM (Jeff Beadles)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc.  Wilsonville, Or.
Lines: 33

In article <733@bnlux0.bnl.gov> litt@bnl-max (Laurence Littenberg) writes:

>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.

Well, I have been using a new-style MicroSoft mouse on my Atari for quite
some time now.  It's got a much nicer feel than the square-type Atari
mouse.  There's a couple of ways to go about it.  I happened to find
someone with a connector that the MicroSoft mouse's connector would plug
into.  Then, I just made an adaptor to take the 9-pin D connector to the
MicroSoft style of connector.  This will work with either the buss or
serial Microsoft mouse.  All Microsoft mice are buss.  The serial mouse has
a little box that converts it to parallel.  If you bought either, you have
the connector that it takes to plug into the mouse cable.  This does not
require you to take your ST apart, and as far as I know it doesn't void
your warranty.  (I may be wrong, ask Atari if you're concerned.)

I've been meaning to document what wire goes where.  If I get enough
request, maybe I'll to it a little sooner. :-)


	Jeff Beadles

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jeff@hammer.GWD.TEK.COM