Greetings...

I am trying to build a computer for my aunt. I am using parts from various old computers (which I know to be working). I have the computer up and running with no problems save one, the mouse is not being seen by the system. I am using a QDI Advance II Motherboard, whcih supports both Serial and PS/2 mice. I have both types, and have tried them, but Windows 95OSR2 says there is no mouse hooked up (tried manually detecting hardware, no help). I would prefer to get the serial mouse working, and have tried different mice, connectors, ports, etc.. The first confusing thing is that instead of listing "COM" ports (on the MoBo), it has "UART1" and "UART2". I know what these ports are, and am guessing they work the same as the COM ports. Unfortunately hooking up the mouse into either (and switching the way they plug in, as there is no plastic housing guide) results in nothing. The PS/2 port is a simple 4 jumper-pin port, which I have tried hooking the PS/2 connector up either way, again with no results. I have downloaded the manual for the MoBo, but it is not helpful... if anyone can give me some insight, either by telling me exactly what port to use (so I don't have to keep guessing) and/or any other suggestions, I would really appreciate it. I'd hate to waste a whole computer just because I couldn't get the mouse to work =(

Thanks,
Darklighter

Have you entered the BIOS setup to make sure the ports are indeed enabled?

Yes... I have tried the ports set to auto, and the default manual settings. The printer port is being detected, just not the mouse. Normally at this point I would write off the ports on the MoBo, however this is my old MoBo and was working before, and Windows sees both Com ports working, with no conflicts. I am at my wits end here!

Thanks for replying though, any other help? Anyone?

Hello Darklighter

Are you sure you're at the correct settings in the BIOS?

It's the DRIVES which can be set to Auto, not the serial ports.

In my BIOS I go to "Integrated Peripherals Setup Menu" and the settings are:
Onboard Serial Port 1 : 3F8/IRQ4
Onboard Serial Port 2 : 2F8/IRQ3
These are common/standard settings I believe.

I would then "Save & Exit Setup" and make sure the "n" [for no] is changed to "y" [for yes].

By the way:
UART's are used for modem communications [etc] through the com ports. They convert parallel to serial data for outward transmission and convert recieved serial data to parallel for processing by the PC.

Thanks for replying...

Yes, I have checked that... this BIOS supports the settings you mentioned (which I usually use, and have tried), as well as an "auto" option. I know it's weird, it's the only time I've ever seen it :eek:

Is the mouse header (connectors and wire) the same one supplied with the motherboard? If not, the pins might not be connected properly. You might be able to trace the paths with this PS/2 pinout (http://www.cablingdirectory.com/pinouts/internal/PS2MousePinout.htm) and the motherboard manual.

It's the same one I was using before when the mouse was working 8)

Thanks...