Microsoft Mouse Problems with PC Tools and Windows (69339)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q69339

SUMMARY

This article contains information on the following known usage problems with Microsoft Windows, PC Tools, and the Microsoft Mouse driver:

  • Mouse problems with PC Tools version 7.0
  • Mouse problems with PC Tools version 6.0
PC Tools is manufactured by Central Point Software.

MORE INFORMATION

MOUSE PROBLEMS WITH PC TOOLS VERSION 7.0

PC Tools version 7.0 may not work correctly with Microsoft Mouse driver versions 7.0, 7.03, and 7.04. Central Point product support technicians have noted various problems when using these two driver versions and recommend updating to Microsoft Mouse driver version 8.0 or later.

The 7.04 driver (with the "/Y" switch) works in most instances, although you may encounter some problems with certain system configurations.

Central Point product support reports no known problems with the 6.24b driver and PC Tools.

The reported problems may result because some portions of PC Tools conflict with the increased file size of the 7.0 and 7.03 drivers. Changing to the earlier mouse driver, 6.24b, may free 10 to 15K of additional memory in the contested address space of RAM.

MOUSE PROBLEMS WITH PC TOOLS VERSION 7.0

PC Tools version 6.0 may have problems running with a Microsoft mouse during or after a Windows session. To correct this problem, you can do one of the following:

  • Add the "/M:PS2" parameter to HIMEM.SYS.
  • Remove the"/Y" parameter from the mouse driver.
  • Run FIXMOUSE.BAT and FIXWIN.BAT.
Each of these steps is described more fully in the following paragraphs.

Adding The "/M:PS2" Parameter

Adding the "/M:PS2" parameter to the HIMEM.SYS reference line in the CONFIG.SYS file may resolve this problem. For example, the reference to HIMEM.SYS in the CONFIG.SYS file should read as follows: 
     DEVICE=C:\HIMEM.SYS /M:PS2

-or- 

     DEVICE=C:\HIMEM.SYS /M:2

Removing the"/Y" Parameter from the Mouse Driver

If your computer does not have a Video Seven graphics card, removing the "/Y" parameter from the MOUSE.SYS line in the CONFIG.SYS file may also resolve this problem. The "/Y" parameter on the mouse driver helps resolve problems (relating to loss of mouse cursor control) with a Video Seven graphics card.

Run FIXMOUSE.BAT and FIXWIN.BAT

Central Point Software has created FIXMOUSE.BAT and FIXWIN.BAT to correct the problems. These batch files are available from Central Point Software customer service or from the Central Point bulletin board service (BBS).

When you run an MS-DOS based application or exit Windows, the port designated for the mouse is reset. Windows does a soft reset on the port that most MS-DOS-based applications are able to use. Some of these applications, including PC Tools, require a hard reset on the port to use the mouse. Central Point Software has created FIXWIN.BAT and FIXMOUSE.BAT to provide a hard reset on the mouse port.

Running FIXWIN.BAT starts Windows. When you exit, it calls FIXMOUSE.BAT, which does a hard reset and sends a command string out to the mouse port.

For more information, query on the following words here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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The Central Point products included here are manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB69339
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.