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Microsoft Plug and Play Pointing Device Not Detected

Article ID: 142405 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q142405

If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

(http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http%3a%2f%2fsupport.microsoft.com%2fdefault.aspx%2fw98%3fsid%3d460)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

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SYMPTOMS

When you connect a Microsoft Plug and Play Serial Mouse, Microsoft EasyBall, or Microsoft IntelliMouse to your computer, the new device may not be detected by Windows. Running the Add New Hardware Wizard does not correct the problem.

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CAUSE

The registry entries for your previous pointing device were not properly removed from the registry. This problem is known to occur when your previous pointing device was a Microsoft, Microsoft-compatible, or Logitech mouse.

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RESOLUTION

NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To work around this problem, use the following steps:

Step 1: Save Your Current Registry Files

Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
In the Save in box, make sure Desktop is selected. This allows you to easily see the Registry backup file from your general Windows desktop view.
In the File name box, type regbak.

Step 2: Remove the Registry Keys for Your Previous Pointing Device

Remove the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Mouse\<nnnn>
where <nnnn> is an incremental four-digit number starting at 0000.
Remove the following registry keys, if they exist:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\Root\Mouse\<nnnn>
where <nnnn> in an incremental four-digit number starting at 0000.
Remove all registry keys under the following registry key, if they exist:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Enum\Serenum
Remove the following registry key, if it exists:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Logitech\Mouseware
Right-click My Computer, and then clickProperties.
On the Device Manager tab, click each serial pointing device, and then click Remove.
Click OK.
Restart Windows.