Asking for a friend so haven?t got more model details available.
Seems that this morning the touch screen AND the wireless mouse stopped working together. He?s tried a wired mouse and although the computer detects the new device, it doesn?t work either.
I?m guessing he?s running Windows. Any thoughts on what could kill both? A rogue update?
Haven?t had much luck finding a similar tale on the Internet.
Tim
Tried any of this, assuming it's Windows 10?
Avoid that! This is a classic hoax solutions page inviting the unwary to install disguised malware to 'fix' the problem.
It sounds like something (update, driver, malware) has corrupted the USB subsystem, be it drivers or the windows system itself.
Try something like
Have a very close look at device manager, or the system folder in events viewer.... or start uninstalling usb drivers working from the last installed... or pulling the root driver... or lots of other weird stuff. Might be worth testing with a recent live boot CD. If Linux spots a hardware issue it will be found in dmesg.
First thing to try is plugging a known good USB mouse in and see if that works. I have had a Toshiba go down so that keyboard, mouse and on/off switch failed (that proved to be a hardware design defect).
The way to test is bootable Linux CD and see if the same faults manifest themselves when the thing has booted into a more reliable OS.
If it is USB registry screw ups there probably is a fix somewhere that is better than going in there manually with a flint axe.
MSKB can be trusted but generally plays down Dozey defects. Try this for starters - I have never known the MS dullard fix anything but YMMV
Plenty of "plausible" help websites will sell you ransomeware or worse.
My thoughts too. Anytime I see software being offered as a fix (other than malwarebytes or similar) I?m very suspicious.
I suspect my friend has issues with trying to navigate around his computer just using the keyboard alone. I know that in theory it?s possible but it?s hard work if you don?t know how!
I?ve suggested a system restore from the boot menu (assuming such things are still possible with windows).
Tim
Some laptops have a function key that disables the mouse. Confused the hell out of me with OH's lenovo when one of the cats triggered it by walking on the keyboard....
If friend is up to it I suggest (a) unplug power supply (b) remove battery (c) hold down power-on switch for 30 seconds. Then replace battery and power and try it again.
Probably both hanging off the same usb controller so a hardware or software fault could cause it.
Boot a live CD and see if they work.
Roll back windows to a previous update.
No, it isn't. It says reboot. Turn the driver off and on again. Try the previous driver. Try a new one. If all else fails reset Windoze. Seems quite sensible.
Andy
You missed the bit about ?Driver easy? then?
Tim
It's sensible text (culled from somewhere else) but really just, variations of just turn it off and on again, and hope. Not well targeted to the issue.
It might work - or might lead the user into crippling their system in such a way that their offered free software looks like a done deal.
Google has loads of sham websites written like this.
Where on earth will a novice user find a real clean driver file that exactly matches her hardware?
Windows professionals do much better, know the manufacturer source of drivers and find their way down devcon and all sorts of voodoo with strange named items, without even touching a fix it utility.
For the OP, try this ...
How Do I Force Windows to Remove and Re-detect a USB Device?
Which should... reconnect it all logically inside the laptop, as ye won't necessarily be in a situation to physically disconnect/reconnect leads to force windows to load in the new USB drivers.
I'd boot a live linux CD first, and check if the hardware is actually working.
Yes not much one can say without specific knowledge. if its windows 10 I'd suspect a driver snaffoo.
They bring out a whole new os every few months. its so much easier to diagnose issues when updates arive as descrete updated files.
I'm hanging onto windows 7 for als long as I can, heck I have some machine running xp and have no issues. Brian
Thanks, I?ve forwarded the link.
I?ll wait and see how he gets on with the other link first before throwing this at him.
Tim
Here ya go, probably this was the culprit ..
Fixing The Windows 10 Update KB4074588 That Breaks USB Keyboard / Mouse
Thanks. I?ve forwarded this. He ended up reinstalling windows to fix it but I guess there?s still the chance that it?ll re-update and break again.
Tim
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.