On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:38:35 GMT, Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:>Since I have to do a largish schematic and won't be in the office the >whole time I wanted to connect my trusty old trackball to a laptop. This >old mouse still boasts a, gasp, 9-pin serial connector. But you know how >it is, when you get used to a tool no matter how ancient you don't want >to miss it. Just as I still miss that wonderful Fahrvergnuegen of my >first car... > >Tried it on two laptops, a Dell and a new Twinhead that surprisingly >also came with a RS232 serial port. Neither recognized that anything >"new" was connected nor could I find any setup in Windows (one is XP, >the other NT/2000). I am sure I can dig out the old mouse drivers but >they are from the days when Windows were still those glass thingies that >you use Windex on. > >How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop?Plug it in _before_ booting, and perhaps wiggle it around as Windoze is looking for devices. Alternatively, connect a GPS receiver sending NMEA data before booting - Windoze usually recognizes that as a serial mouse. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver BC, Canada peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca
Old trackball won't work on modern laptops
Started by ●January 19, 2007
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Joerg wrote:> Stuart Brorson wrote: > >> In sci.electronics.cad Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> >> wrote: >> : How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >> >> Start by installing Linux on the laptop..... >> > > Then my mouse would work. However, a slight inconvenience would be that > the CAD program the mouse is supposed to be used with would quit working > ... >As a possibly longer-term solution, Linux as the base, then run Windows in a VMWare (or other virtualisation) box. Keep that M$-beast in its cage :)
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
"Peter Bennett" <peterbb@somewhere.invalid> wrote in message news:ugj2r2lpqnufgdfkjji3odo3r6mmr7v70v@news.supernews.com...> Plug it in _before_ booting, and perhaps wiggle it around as Windoze > is looking for devices. Alternatively, connect a GPS receiver sending > NMEA data before booting - Windoze usually recognizes that as a serial > mouse.Damn! I was just about to suggest that too... ;-) Meindert
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Roberto Waltman wrote:> Joerg wrote: > >>Jim Thompson wrote: >> >>>Joerg wrote: >>>... I wanted to connect my trusty old trackball to a laptop. This >>> >>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >>> >>>... >>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you INSTALL it. >>> >> >>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do that >>in them thar newfangled Windozes? > > > (a) Find the original floppy disks (Remember floppy disks?) >Oh, you mean them floppy CDs :-))) Got them but those are DOS drivers.> or > > (b) Settings -> Control Panel -> Add Hardware -> See if the model is > between the pre-defined devices. >It ain't :-( -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Dave Hansen wrote:> Joerg wrote: > >>Jim Thompson wrote: >> > > [...] > >>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >>> >>> >>>Is it Logitech? >> >> >>It is. >> >> >> >>>Try their site. >> >> >>Tried that. That model is long gone from there. I bet if I'd call they'd >>suggest to try the Smithsonian museum ... > > > You might lose that bet. New trackballs are generally just old > trackballs with geehaws added. Usually the new trackball faithfully > emulates the old one until the driver enables the new stuff. >Yes, but it seems that the new generation of mouse driver writers doesn't remember what RS232 is.>>From the main page choose "Downloads", then "Trackballs", then "Other > Products", then "Trackballs not listed". Choose your operating system > and download. I believe this gets you their "generic" driver that works > with just about anything (anything Logitech, anyway). Standard 5-byte, > 1200 baud protocol with 3 buttons. No new geehaws. >Thanks, done that, tried to install, didn't work. It only supports newer USB devices.> >> >>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you INSTALL it. >>> >> >>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do that >>in them thar newfangled Windozes? > > > The download should include instructions. >Only USB it sez. Why is it that electronics get dropped like a hot potato in less than a decade while I can still go to Kragen's and buy a spare part for a Studebaker? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:18:41 GMT, Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:>Dave Hansen wrote: > >> Joerg wrote: >> >>>Jim Thompson wrote: >>> >> >> [...] >> >>>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >>>> >>>> >>>>Is it Logitech? >>> >>> >>>It is. >>> >>> >>> >>>>Try their site. >>> >>> >>>Tried that. That model is long gone from there. I bet if I'd call they'd >>>suggest to try the Smithsonian museum ... >> >> >> You might lose that bet. New trackballs are generally just old >> trackballs with geehaws added. Usually the new trackball faithfully >> emulates the old one until the driver enables the new stuff. >> > >Yes, but it seems that the new generation of mouse driver writers >doesn't remember what RS232 is. > > >>>From the main page choose "Downloads", then "Trackballs", then "Other >> Products", then "Trackballs not listed". Choose your operating system >> and download. I believe this gets you their "generic" driver that works >> with just about anything (anything Logitech, anyway). Standard 5-byte, >> 1200 baud protocol with 3 buttons. No new geehaws. >> > >Thanks, done that, tried to install, didn't work. It only supports newer >USB devices. > >> >>> >>>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you INSTALL it. >>>> >>> >>>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do that >>>in them thar newfangled Windozes? >> >> >> The download should include instructions. >> > >Only USB it sez. Why is it that electronics get dropped like a hot >potato in less than a decade while I can still go to Kragen's and buy a >spare part for a Studebaker?Isn't there a simple adapter to convert between serial and PS/2? AND: Haven't you already wasted $50 of your time trying to be cheap-ass, when a new track-ball can be had for $49 ?:-) I thought you would have learned that time is money by now ;-) ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Jim Thompson wrote:> On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:18:41 GMT, Joerg > <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote: > > >>Dave Hansen wrote: >> >> >>>Joerg wrote: >>> >>> >>>>Jim Thompson wrote: >>>> >>> >>>[...] >>> >>> >>>>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>Is it Logitech? >>>> >>>> >>>>It is. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>Try their site. >>>> >>>> >>>>Tried that. That model is long gone from there. I bet if I'd call they'd >>>>suggest to try the Smithsonian museum ... >>> >>> >>>You might lose that bet. New trackballs are generally just old >>>trackballs with geehaws added. Usually the new trackball faithfully >>>emulates the old one until the driver enables the new stuff. >>> >> >>Yes, but it seems that the new generation of mouse driver writers >>doesn't remember what RS232 is. >> >> >> >>>>From the main page choose "Downloads", then "Trackballs", then "Other >>>Products", then "Trackballs not listed". Choose your operating system >>>and download. I believe this gets you their "generic" driver that works >>>with just about anything (anything Logitech, anyway). Standard 5-byte, >>>1200 baud protocol with 3 buttons. No new geehaws. >>> >> >>Thanks, done that, tried to install, didn't work. It only supports newer >>USB devices. >> >> >>>>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you INSTALL it. >>>>> >>>> >>>>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do that >>>>in them thar newfangled Windozes? >>> >>> >>>The download should include instructions. >>> >> >>Only USB it sez. Why is it that electronics get dropped like a hot >>potato in less than a decade while I can still go to Kragen's and buy a >>spare part for a Studebaker? > > > Isn't there a simple adapter to convert between serial and PS/2? > > AND: Haven't you already wasted $50 of your time trying to be > cheap-ass, when a new track-ball can be had for $49 ?:-) > > I thought you would have learned that time is money by now ;-) >I do. But there comes a time when I need a little breather from staring at a CAD screen or figuring out how to cram umpteen analog functions into the space of about two quarters. Also, it's not about money, I like this old mouse and I know it won't give cramps like most others. BTW, Logitech says on their site that their driver (MouseWare) will not support serial mice under 2k and XP. Great. But they did say that 2k and XP have native drivers for that. Question is, who knows where? -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote in news:u_dsh.62711$qO4.15050@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net:>Jim Thompson wrote: > >> On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:18:41 GMT, Joerg >> <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote: >> >> >>>Dave Hansen wrote: >>> >>> >>>>Joerg wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>>Jim Thompson wrote: >>>>> >>>> >>>>[...] >>>> >>>> >>>>>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" >>>>>>>laptop? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>Is it Logitech? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>It is. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>Try their site. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>Tried that. That model is long gone from there. I bet if I'd call >>>>>they'd suggest to try the Smithsonian museum ... >>>> >>>> >>>>You might lose that bet. New trackballs are generally just old >>>>trackballs with geehaws added. Usually the new trackball faithfully >>>>emulates the old one until the driver enables the new stuff. >>>> >>> >>>Yes, but it seems that the new generation of mouse driver writers >>>doesn't remember what RS232 is. >>> >>> >>> >>>>>From the main page choose "Downloads", then "Trackballs", then >>>>>"Other >>>>Products", then "Trackballs not listed". Choose your operating >>>>system and download. I believe this gets you their "generic" driver >>>>that works with just about anything (anything Logitech, anyway). >>>>Standard 5-byte, 1200 baud protocol with 3 buttons. No new geehaws. >>>> >>> >>>Thanks, done that, tried to install, didn't work. It only supports >>>newer USB devices. >>> >>> >>>>>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you >>>>>>INSTALL it. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do >>>>>that in them thar newfangled Windozes? >>>> >>>> >>>>The download should include instructions. >>>> >>> >>>Only USB it sez. Why is it that electronics get dropped like a hot >>>potato in less than a decade while I can still go to Kragen's and buy >>>a spare part for a Studebaker? >> >> >> Isn't there a simple adapter to convert between serial and PS/2? >> >> AND: Haven't you already wasted $50 of your time trying to be >> cheap-ass, when a new track-ball can be had for $49 ?:-) >> >> I thought you would have learned that time is money by now ;-) >> > >I do. But there comes a time when I need a little breather from staring >at a CAD screen or figuring out how to cram umpteen analog functions >into the space of about two quarters. Also, it's not about money, I >like this old mouse and I know it won't give cramps like most others. > >BTW, Logitech says on their site that their driver (MouseWare) will not >support serial mice under 2k and XP. Great. But they did say that 2k >and XP have native drivers for that. Question is, who knows where? >control panel - add hardware - let it search and if it does not find it do a manual instal... ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
In comp.arch.embedded, Peter Bennett <peterbb@somewhere.invalid> wrote:> On Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:38:35 GMT, Joerg ><notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote: >> >>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? > > Plug it in _before_ booting, and perhaps wiggle it around as Windoze > is looking for devices. Alternatively, connect a GPS receiver sending > NMEA data before booting - Windoze usually recognizes that as a serial > mouse. >Oh yes, it will see a NMEA device as a mouse. Real treat every time I start my pc and forget to unplug the GPS, my mouse cursor is all over the place. -- Stef (remove caps, dashes and .invalid from e-mail address to reply by mail)
Reply by ●January 19, 20072007-01-19
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:10:51 GMT, Joerg <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:>Jim Thompson wrote: > >> On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 00:18:41 GMT, Joerg >> <notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote: >> >> >>>Dave Hansen wrote: >>> >>> >>>>Joerg wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>>Jim Thompson wrote: >>>>> >>>> >>>>[...] >>>> >>>> >>>>>>>How do you get an old serial port mouse working on a "modern" laptop? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>Is it Logitech? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>It is. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>Try their site. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>Tried that. That model is long gone from there. I bet if I'd call they'd >>>>>suggest to try the Smithsonian museum ... >>>> >>>> >>>>You might lose that bet. New trackballs are generally just old >>>>trackballs with geehaws added. Usually the new trackball faithfully >>>>emulates the old one until the driver enables the new stuff. >>>> >>> >>>Yes, but it seems that the new generation of mouse driver writers >>>doesn't remember what RS232 is. >>> >>> >>> >>>>>From the main page choose "Downloads", then "Trackballs", then "Other >>>>Products", then "Trackballs not listed". Choose your operating system >>>>and download. I believe this gets you their "generic" driver that works >>>>with just about anything (anything Logitech, anyway). Standard 5-byte, >>>>1200 baud protocol with 3 buttons. No new geehaws. >>>> >>> >>>Thanks, done that, tried to install, didn't work. It only supports newer >>>USB devices. >>> >>> >>>>>>... It ought to work as an ordinary serial mouse PROVIDED you INSTALL it. >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>Well, on the risk of totally embarrassing myself here, how do I do that >>>>>in them thar newfangled Windozes? >>>> >>>> >>>>The download should include instructions. >>>> >>> >>>Only USB it sez. Why is it that electronics get dropped like a hot >>>potato in less than a decade while I can still go to Kragen's and buy a >>>spare part for a Studebaker? >> >> >> Isn't there a simple adapter to convert between serial and PS/2? >> >> AND: Haven't you already wasted $50 of your time trying to be >> cheap-ass, when a new track-ball can be had for $49 ?:-) >> >> I thought you would have learned that time is money by now ;-) >> > >I do. But there comes a time when I need a little breather from staring >at a CAD screen or figuring out how to cram umpteen analog functions >into the space of about two quarters. Also, it's not about money, I like >this old mouse and I know it won't give cramps like most others. > >BTW, Logitech says on their site that their driver (MouseWare) will not >support serial mice under 2k and XP. Great. But they did say that 2k and >XP have native drivers for that. Question is, who knows where?Try turning off the machine. Plug in track-ball. Boot up. See if pointer moves. I'd bet that it will. ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona Voice:(480)460-2350 | | | E-mail Address at Website Fax:(480)460-2142 | Brass Rat | | http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I even put it in the food.
