IntelliMouse Explorer: Button Functions and How to Activate Non-Working Buttons (258822)

SUMMARY

This article discusses the button functions on the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer pointing device, as well as how to activate buttons that are not working properly.

The IntelliMouse Explorer is equipped with four buttons and a wheel button.

The top left button is the primary button, and the top right button is the secondary button. You can use both buttons to grab and drag objects. To open objects, double-click the primary button (left). To view optional menus, single-click the secondary button (right).
The two side buttons are the Back and Forward buttons. These buttons enable you to navigate conveniently in programs that use the Back and Forward commands, such as a Web browser. For example, you can use the back and forward buttons to navigate to the previous or the next Web page in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
How the wheel button functions depends upon the software program that you are running. Usually, you can use the wheel button to autoscroll or pan.

For example, if you click the wheel button in a spreadsheet program, you can move your mouse to autoscroll (move vertically) or to pan (move horizontally) through the cells of the spreadsheet.

MORE INFORMATION

Verify that the IntelliMouse Explorer and its Buttons Are Properly Selected

To verify that the IntelliMouse Explorer and its buttons are properly selected:

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Mouse.
Click the Buttons tab.
Make sure that the device listed is Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer. If not, click to select Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer.
Under Button Assignment, you should see a Large Thumb button and a Small Thumb button.
Make sure that an action is assigned to each thumb button.
Click OK.

Check the IntelliMouse Explorer's Functionality in Safe Mode

It is best to check the button and wheel button functions of the IntelliMouse Explorer in Safe Mode. If your IntelliMouse Explorer works properly in Safe Mode, a conflict may exist with another program installed on your computer. If this is the case, clean boot your computer to eliminate any possible conflicts. To clean boot your computer, use the appropriate method for your version of Microsoft Windows.

Microsoft Windows 95

For additional information about how to clean boot a Windows 95-based computer, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

243039 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 95

Microsoft Windows 98

For additional information about how to clean boot a Windows 98-based computer, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98

Make Sure That the IntelliMouse Explorer Is Properly Connected

The IntelliMouse Explorer can only be connected to your computer through either a PS/2 or a USB port. Do not attempt to connect the IntelliMouse Explorer to a serial port. If the IntelliMouse Explorer is not working when connected to a PS/2 port, and a USB port is available, remove the adapter and plug it into the USB port.

Laptop Issues

Some laptops are equipped with an internal pointing device that conflicts with the wheel button functions or the side button functions on the IntelliMouse Explorer. If this is the case, disable the internal pointing device to eliminate this conflict.

NOTE: Before you attempt to disable the internal pointing device, Microsoft recommends that you contact your laptop manufacturer to find out how to do disable the device properly.