I seem to go through a lot of optical mice.

The rubber scroll wheel will turn to goo, or develop a flat spot causing a stiffness or bindinng in rotation. This will result in the wheel depressing and operating it's own switch.

My next complaint is that the lead from the mouse in all cases is about as flexible as fencing wire. And then there is the problem of having one of the pads underneath causing a wobbly mouse.


Where oh where can I find a quality mouse with a flexible silicon lead? Throwing money at the problem is of no help if there is not a decent mouse to purchase.

Wayne.

Had to smile when I saw that a labrat was looking for a mouse.


I always use a wired Logitech M90. Cable is thin and quite flexible. Last a long time in my experience. I don't use a mouse pad, just a piece of paper.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Logitech-Corded-Mouse-M90-Black/dp/B003D8ZT0C

https://www.bigw.com.au/product/logitech-corded-usb-mouse-m90/p/383819


I usually buy from Officeworks which I see now has the M100 model (don't know the difference between models):

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/logitech-m100r-corded-mouse-logm100rmo

Use a wireless/cordless mouse. No more lead to worry about. I've got a Logitech one (M185) and it's great.

I notice it's the HP mice that can get a gooey sticky wheel. I give it a good clean and scrape and then it's ok again.

I also like the cordless keyboard - it means I can put it in my lap or go to the other side of the room and it still works.

The only time you really need a PS2/keyboard is if you need to go to Windows Safe Mode, or if you've got an old PS/2 KVM.

My biggest beef is with keyboards. The corded keyboard on the circa 2000 computer is the original.

However, there is a procession of cordless ones including the current Logitech. On the 2019 Acer one never made it out of warranty and its replacement was no better. I think this is Nr4 for the Acer.

How they put the numbers & letters on these things is totally inferior a, s, & e then o; seem to be the firs casualties. The build up of grease from hands, was always an issue with roller balls in mice but still gets on the pads & the vacuum cleaner is a good idea for the keyboard. But not when its running. Did get the project for sorting one where the owner did that.

I use the Logitech M100r and very happy with it, good length cord, (my box is on the floor) and very flexible.
Harold

After fixing several for doing, weird things, resulting from over heating I rapidly concluded that the closer to the floor they were, the quicker they had issues. Carpet is no help.

Gradually these things sucked in enough crap to block the fans. For years none of my computers have resided in the house. The two active ones are around 800mm above the floor & a live, pretty much unused one along with the 2000 one are on shelves. Acer is on a 2m home made metal frame bench with six legs to ensure it does not sag over time, which some have.

There is a bit of weight on it. from left V800 photo type scanner; UPs; The engine; 601mm wide monitor sitting on a 10W Tandy Amp (designed to be under a CRT monitor) Then a Cannon printer / scanner ink tank type. There is also a nearly half width shelf under it. Its outer rail holds the central legs rigid. Riveted construction.

I've found a replacement mouse. Not exactly what I was looking for, but what ever is?

To try get something with some sort of quality, I bought a “Gaming Mouse.”
It has has four extra buttons that I will never use, and a light show, so that I can find the mouse in the dark. It almost seems to be alive. It also has a cotton covered lead although it does not seem any more flexible than that of any other previous mice I've had. I do wonder what the Military use.

I do know the make and model, but I prefer to call it a "Wanker 2000 O.T.T."
(Over The Top) Even the USB plug is huge when compared to that of a normal mouse.

Since I had nothing to loose with the old mouse, I pulled it apart. The fault was that the rubber tyre on the scroll wheel had partially derailed from the plastic wheel.

Wish me luck, I am off to the Vivid festival tonight. I am going to see the relatives of my mouse. Another light show.

Wayne.

I stuck with Microsoft meeses for years and years, then shifted to HP because with a HP laptop I no longer needed to waste a USB port on the mouse's USB radio - the mouse would just bluetooth to the laptop but I found that less than reliable because the mouse would go into a deep sleep if not used for a few minutes, which meant that I had to wave the mouse frantically to wake it up again. After two bites at that cherry I bought a Logitech one which I am happy with.

Do note that Logitech sometimes calls itself Logi - but its the same company.

Like others here, I've found the Logitech reliable and the wheel button is made of plastic, so nothing will go gooey with age. It does come with a USB radio though, which provides the wireless link.

These are plug and play - no software required.