IntelliMouse Explorer Settings Lost When You Undock a Laptop Computer (265864)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer

This article was previously published under Q265864

SYMPTOMS

If you undock and then dock your laptop computer, your IntelliMouse Explorer mouse settings may be lost. When this issue occurs, only the default left and right mouse buttons work.

CAUSE

Most docking stations have a PS/2-style mouse port. When you undock the laptop computer, Windows 2000 unloads the IntelliMouse Explorer mouse driver and installs the internal pointing device driver.

When you dock the laptop computer again, the computer manufacturer's BIOS may not unload the internal pointing device drivers and the device itself. Because the PS/2-style port is not Plug and Play and is designed for only a single device, the internal pointing device takes precedence over an external one. The PC99 HW Design guide states that manufacturers of mobile computers should design their computers to unload the internal pointing device and drivers when an external pointing device is attached.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, contact the manufacturer of the laptop computer to inquire about obtaining an updated BIOS that resolves this issue.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, shut down or restart the laptop computer after you dock it.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/18/2005
Keywords:kbenv kbHardware kbprb KB265864