Wireless Mouse/Keyboard

[thcri]

About a year ago I bought a wireless mouse/keyboard by Logitech. I picked the particular one I have because I am familiar with Logitech and have had good luck. My problem is my mouse with go through 2 Double A batteries in 15 days. Should they not last longer than that?

Keeping the bunny in business, murph

 

[MossRoad]

There is a problem. I have a logitech wireless mouse and the batteries usually last about 6-9 months.

 

[bky]

I also have the logtech mouse but I use rechargeable batteries(nimh aa) they seam to Last longer but I guess I don't Mouse around as mush as you /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Murph I finally switched to a Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse because I got tired replacing batteries in the Logitech.

 

[getut]

How old is the computer?

Old systems (4-7 years old) do not support the necessary power savings modes that power down attached peripherals. Period. Nothing you can do about it except either live with it or go wired. Older than 7 really a computer? snicker /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Medium age systems 3-4 years old are transitional. They support the newest power savings modes, but some manufacturers didn't get it exactly right and some equipment works and other doesn't (sometimes it works right, sometimes it works with quirks and sometimes it doesn't work at all). There are usually firmware upgrades that you can download to flash onto the mainboard.

Newer systems (manufactured in the last 2 years) should work, if you have a system manufactured in the last 2 years, then there is either a software problem, or you are storing the mouse out of contact from the base unit BEFORE shutting the system down. Thus the base unit can not send a signal to the mouse to go to minimal power usage mode.

Keep in mind, my system ages are approximate so if you are close to one of those dividers it may still be affected.

If you bought a newer machine but bought a bargain basement system, it may also be using one of the older chipsets that had the power savings issues. Firmware upgrades are always worth a try.

Operating system also plays a role. Windows 95 isn't going to cut it. Windows 98 Second Edition is borderline, Windows ME, 2000, XP Home, and XP Professional all should have no issues with all current power savings modes.

Edit: If your computer is a mass produced from a well known manufacturer, go to their web site to get firmware upgrades based on model number. If you system is a home built, or custom system, get the firmware upgrades from the motherboard manufacturer.

Edit2: Not to leave out the obvious. But try it on another machine. It may just be defective. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[GregJ]

I have had Microsoft and Logitech. I currently have 2 Logitechs. I get at least a 2-3 months out of mine. Of course, I look at the number of posts you have......... sometimes ya gotta give that mouse a break ya know... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Greg

 

[getut]

Grrrr at myself.

Since I typed all that above, and just for the sake of being thorough, even though this portion is off the topic of WIRELESS equipement, here is one last bit of info.

If you even have wired USB connected peripherals of any type and your computer is either "Old" or "Middle aged" and it has trouble going in to or out of power savings mode, system standby, or just plain sitting for a while makes it flaky. Checking the bios and upgrading if necessary would not hurt.

Follow instructions closely. Losing power or cutting the machine off during the flashing of the Bios is <font color="red">BAD</font> and will definitely yield a dead computer that is UN-repairable in most circumstances.

 

[DannyD]

I work on computers for a living. As for the logitech mouse/keyboard situation, are you sure it is dead batteries? They can come unsynched, as many of them do, and you will think you need new batteries, but in fact only need to synch. Sometimes in fact just taking the batteries out and putting them back in has fixed many "broken" mice in my daily work.
I have one that I use daily, and as of yet dont remember the last time I changed the bats in mine.

 

[jwstewar]

I'll agree with the resyncing. I have a Microsoft Wireless Keyboard/optical mouse. I replace the batteries in it about every 3 - 6 months (don't remember really how often - just not very often /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). It never needs resyncing. On the kids' computer (an older Compaq) I have a Dell (made by Logitech) wireless keyboard/ball mouse. Hardly ever have to replace the batteries (they don't play with it that often (they are only 3 & 4) since they got the PS2). but I do have to resync it about every 2 to 3 weeks it seems.

Along the same lines we just bought the kids a wireless Logitech controller for the Playstation. In about 5 days the batteries were dead. Took it back. Bought another brand for half the price and they are up to about 2 or 3 weeks now and still going strong.

 

[gsxr1100]

my wife had the wireless mouse/keyboard and the batteries lasted about 2-weeks max. So in the trash it went.