No mouse

[dqdave1]

This is a Dell 4500 running windows 2000 professional. The system would not boot up after sitting idle for about 4 months. I finially used my ERD Commander cd to wipe hard drive clean and start over as nothing of value was on hard drive. After wiping Hard Drive , it reloaded windows 2000 but my mouse does not work. I tried to use my dell driver disk to reinstall all drivers but it now does not recognize this PC as a Dell. How do I get my mouse to work again?

[Niclo Iste]

3 things come to mind.
1. Try another mouse, the current one may be dead
2. Start in safe mode, if it works there it's a software conflict. Possibly a modem driver, com port conflict, or a program taht is being erratic.
3. The motherboard is damaged from a bad power supply or spike. Typical indications are bulging or leaking capacitors.

[dqdave1]

Tried a different mouse; no difference.
Motherboard tests fine; all components passed a test
Will not work in safe mode
Open for more options

[Niclo Iste]

You never said if you changed the com port settings, and also do a physical inspection of the board. I've found in some cases testing with software doesn't always answer the question of if it's failing. Remember if something is not working like it should what is going to keep it from saying it's ok even though it's not.

[CCT]

The Dimension 4500 came with 6-pin mini-DIN connector or USB connector for mouse use.

Have you tried both?

[dqdave1]

I did not change any settings. I visually looked at motherboard for any suspect components. All looks fine, from what my eyes tell me. I did not try a usb mouse as I do not have one ( usb mouse)

[CCT]

Did you install the chipset drivers after the OS install?

[dqdave1]

no I did not; they dont load from the reinstall op system boot disk?

[CCT]

Well, that model supposedly came with XP and you installed 2000, BUT the chipset drivers are apparently the same.

Since you mentioned using a 'dell driver disk to reinstall all drivers' I have to assume you used a Win2000 install disk which would NOT install the chipset drivers, only the basic OS.