How to clean a mouse
Question: Marc, how do you know when you need a new mouse? Mine is an old one and has been acting up, but I don’t want to buy a new one if I don’t have to.
Question: Marc, how do you know when you need a new mouse? Mine is an old one and has been acting up, but I don’t want to buy a new one if I don’t have to.
Today’s mice are "optical," which means instead of a mouse ball underneath its belly, it’s a tiny red optical sensor that does all the work.
The advantage of these mice over ball-based mice is that they’re more precise, can be used on virtually any surface (except a mirrored one) and require no cleaning.
But if you like your old ball-based mice, who am I to tell you to ditch what’s comfortable for you. So here’s a tip on cleaning it:
First, turn the mouse upside-down, and with your fingers, gently unscrew the bottom by turning counter-clockwise. Take out the ball. Now rub it with a cloth (such as a hand towel — not a tissue or anything that can leave residue). When you’re done, put it aside for a moment.
The real gunk is on the three little rollers underneath the mouse that holds the ball in place. Take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol, then brush each of the rollers until all the junk is removed.
Replace the ball, screw the cap back on and it should be good as new.
If this doesn’t do the trick, make sure the connection to the PC is secure.
When all else fails, and reinstalling the PC software doesn’t help (something you don’t really need to do with newer mice), it’s time for the upgrade.
Filed Under: Computers & Software
hahaha…i never thought of using a cotton swab…i would usually just pick at it with my fingernails…
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They also used to make and sell mouse cleaning kits for the ball mice. They used to make floppy drive cleaning kits too, You can still find them around.
They also make CD drive cleaning kits. Avoid the very cheap ones, they can do damage… Buy a good one, and check it out before you buy it. There should be a good wide circle of cleaning brushes on it, and 3 or 4 small regular (1/4 inch wide) gaps in the circle. You do not need any sort of fluid for a computer one, as a rule. The little brush hairs should be soft, and firmly attached to the cleaning disk. QUALITY counts here! You can also clean the "eye" on your regular CD player with it.
ALSO: Optical laser mice do pick up dirt too… A q-tip lightly moistened in alcohol and gently passed across the mouse "eye" first, and then around the bottom of the mouse, especially on the little teflon pads works wonders….
Optical mice also have a number of settings via their software. A gaming mouse may need a higher resolution setting than one just being used with, say, WORD. And too high a resolution setting can cause glitches. If the mouse starts acting weird if you turn the resolution up, you've set it too high. Back it down a tad bit.
PML
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I have both types and I much prefer the ball mouse to the optical. I find the old style to be much faster and more accurate than the optical, it does have to be clean.
If you get hairs on the little rollers inside the mouse, I use tweezers to pick those off carefully.
I hope my old fashioned mouse never dies, however, I do still have an 8 track deck so…
PS: Windows Vista sucks
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First you hve to catch it, then fill a bowl with warm water and a little dish soap, use a soft toothbrush especially around the tail. Oh computer mice, with balls… duh.
Isopropal Alcohol, a cotton swab, masking tape, cotton cloth, flat toothpick, canned air.
Twist the retaining plate on the bottom of the mouse to release the ball. Use the alcohol and swab to wet the built up ridge of skin and dust (ick) on the rollers inside, the movement rollers are thin and wide, there is also a third pressure roller that is spring loaded that needs to be moistened as well. Let sit while you clean the ball. roll some masking tape around your hand ( sticky side out ) until you cover your palm. Roll the ball on the tape to remove any debris from it. Apply some alcohol to the cloth and clean the ball by rolling it around inside the cloth. Ok back to the mouse, using a toothpick, scrape the now loosened dirt/skin ick on the rollers off some will fall in the mouse but that is ok, when done reswab the rollers to complete the cleaning, let dry (1 min). Turn mouse right-side up and tap to eject any loose bits inside, canned air works well here, spray up into the mouse ball socket. Replace the ball and the retaining plate, wipe the whole surface with the cloth adding alcohol as needed, then clean the cord by pulling it throught the cloth. verify operation. Done
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HOW CHEAP CAN A MAN BE THAT WON'T GO OUT AND BUY A NEW MOUSE ? YOU CAN BUY ALL KINDS IN SECOUND HAND STORES FOR $1.00 !
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please show me where i can buy a $1 mouse.. we dont have that here in canada
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go to any PET STORE you will find all kinds for a buck or less in canada
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RE: Cheap Mice…
Actually a lot of discount private computer dealers (not chain stores) will sell you a cheap BALL mouse for under $10. But they only last a year before they die and must be replaced….
From time to time, the Canadian "dollar discount stores" (Just a Buck, etc.) also carry cheap BALL mice for under $5. You just have to be there when one is on sale….
However, if you keep an eye on the sales flyers that gum up your mailbox, you can often buy a good Optical Scroll Wheel mouse, with reasonable DPI for around $20 or so.
I just bought a Labtec, 800 DPI, USN/PS2 (does both!) Optical Mouse 800, with scroll wheel, and comfort grip, the other day. It is a 2 button mouse, with the 3rd button being the scroll wheel, that can both be scrolled and clicked. It is easy to use, accurate, plug and play — no software required, with full Windows 98, Me, 2000, or XP recognition.
I bought it at Staples Business Depot for $19.74, total $22.50 with tax.
I am quite pleased with it, and it even works with autocad type software. It will work with both a laptop and a desktop. Best of all, there is a 10 day return policy, if you can show it did not work on your PC.
So, yes, you can buy an affordable mouse in Canada. You just have to know where to look…
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god , how cheap can you get ,argue about a $15 Mouse but having a $700 or more mashine in front of you sitting
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Honestly, can a mouse with a ball in it that needs cleaning and more words said to it than a lot of men say to more than there wives……some people just need to get up from the computer chair and get out more. Mice are cheap….this topic should be put to rest.
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sometimes a weak battery can be problem, also loose batteries,place small piece paper underneath,cover,amomg other cures .,
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The steps to fix registry on computer is not as easy as 1- 2- 3. But it is not as complicated as fixing cars either. To fix registry on computer is to simply change the registry information back to its default setting or to repair any errors incurred therein.
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