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Conference 7.286::atarist

Title:Atari ST, TT, & Falcon
Notice:Please read note 1.0 and its replies before posting!
Moderator:FUNYET::ANDERSON
Created:Mon Apr 04 1988
Last Modified:Tue May 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1433
Total number of notes:10312

711.0. "Mouse problems" by EVETPU::BRAMHALL (Mark Bramhall, CDA architecture, E PLURIBUS UNUM) Tue Dec 19 1989 20:26

    It looks like my mouse half died...  I'd like to describe the problem
    to this audience to see if it is something familiar -- and to see if
    there might be an easy fix!
    
    The mouse movement part works fine.  But, the left button doesn't seem
    to function at all.  I replaced the mouse with a joystick and can move
    the cursor (slooooooooooooooooooowly) and the fire button serves as the
    left button perfectly fine.  So, I conclude that the Atari itself (a
    1040 ST) is fine, etc.
    
    I opened the cover on the mouse and found the mouse button pads.  They
    appear to have four contact points to the PC board.  I tried some
    resistance measurements (with the mouse unplugged of course) and could
    not determine the wiring -- this may be because the button is all
    messed up!  I then tried the mouse and manually jumpering between the
    contact points to see if I could act like the button closing -- again
    to no avail.  So, I tried all of the hacking I can easily do.
    
    Is this a familiar problem?  Should I take the mouse to a dealer to
    test?  Can they repair micen?
    
    P.S. I live in Acton, MA, but work in Nashua, NH.  I bought the sysem
    at White Mountain up in Nashua...
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
711.1Here are several suggestionsRODNEY::PETERSDon Peters, CTC2-1/F10, 287-3153Wed Dec 20 1989 09:0814
Sounds to me like the mouse button is bad. I've had to replace my left
mouse button twice in the past 4 years. Replacements can be ordered from
Best electronics for about $1.50 each.

I suggest you unsolder the left button and check it out. In a pinch, you
can swap the buttons since the right button probably works due to its being
seldom used.

You might also call White Mountain. Maybe they have a supply of replacement
button switches. Or, you could call RF Microtech, in North Billerica, MA,
as they do lots of Atari repair and are a registered Atari repair center.
The owner and repair person there is Bob Fitzpatrick. (He will probably be
coming to White Mountain tonite (Wednesday) for the meeting of the Nashua
Area ST Users Society.)
711.2ThanksMARKB::BRAMHALLMark Bramhall, CDA architecture, E PLURIBUS UNUMMon Jan 08 1990 13:515
    Thanks for the pointer to RF Microtech.  They fixed the mouse for a
    modest sum -- it needed both new buttons and a new cable.  I "rang out"
    the cable with my v.o.m. and guessed it was bad.  Easy to replace -- if
    you have easy access to Atari parts.  Never did like molded-plug
    cables.
711.3Cable problemsCHEFS::BAINAlex Bain @REOTue Dec 18 1990 15:0421
    Help! I've suffered the same fate as in .1  In my case, I am pretty
    sure I've traced it to the mouse cable.  The joystick test works fine
    and I've successfully bussed out the switch to the internal mouse
    connector.
    
    1) Can anyone recommend an Atari parts supplier for the UK (preferably
    local to Reading/Basingstoke)?  What does a mouse cable cost?
    
    2) If I have to order it by post it will take for ever at this time of
    year, and I'm using my machine fairly heavily at the moment.  Does
    anyone local happen to have a spare mouse they would be willing to
    lend until I get this fixed?
    
    3) I am going to the 16 bit (Atari/Amiga) computer fair in Hammersmith
    on 4-6 Jan, and I'm now thinking of looking at one of the alternative
    mice available for the ST.  Does anyone have any experience of these? 
    Do they have much to offer over the standard item?
    
    Thanks for any help or advice
    Alex
711.4NAKSHA MOUSEBAHTAT::RIGBYGone but not forgottenWed Dec 19 1990 07:349
    The Naksha mouse is very good. It's microswitched and is very 
    smooth to use. It can also be used with the Amiga And some 
    Amstrad PC's (using the appropriate lead) and also comes with a mouse
    mat.
    
    I've been using one for about three months and would HATE to go back to
    the Atari mouse. You should be able to pick one up for about � 30.
    
    Dave
711.5SIEVAX::JAMIEUse me, Use me... Ooops! Excuse me!Wed Dec 19 1990 10:1116
    Computercare South in Reading is a fair bet. Either that or Computer
    Cavern or Ultima Computers.
    
    I bought an ST mouse in CCS about 18 months ago for 25 pounds. I wasn't
    aware of any alternatives at that time, though, and if I had've been,
    I'd have gone for an alternative.
    
    
    
    
    				Jamie.
    
    
    
    
    				Jamie.
711.6Help is at hand!CHEFS::BAINAlex Bain @REOWed Dec 19 1990 13:1021
    Is'nt notes wonderful?
    
    Before lunch today I got two messages; one offering me the loan of a
    mouse, and the other asking for more facts on the Atari fair.  I've
    actually ordered a replacement cable by mail order from Ladbroke
    Computing - wish I'd seen Jamies note before I did it - might have
    saved me some time!
    
    The all inclusive price from Ladbroke is 6.74 pounds.  This compares
    with another MO source who wanted 8.95 pounds. (Amazing how these
    things vary is'nt it?)
    
    For anyone else who wants to know, the 16 bit Computer fair is at the
    Nvotel, Hammersmith, London W6, 4-6 Jan 91, 10am-6pm (Sun close 4pm).
    Admission is 5 pounds at the door.
    Organised by Westminster Exhibitions 081 547 1311
    
    Any more suggestions/recommendations on alternative mice?
    
    Alex