Just Bought an MS Keyboard & Mouse

orright, so which MS hater/detractor's gonna flame me first.

from WinCustomize Forums
GGGRRRRR!!!! Last night I was happily doing the usual thing on my PC (you know, visiting WC)....then bam, keys started to stick intermittently, sometimes requiring a second or third tap to register.....so out comes the compressed air and a thorough clean out was performed. Tap, tap....nothing....tap tap, bugger all Okay, a driver uninstall, reinstall....still nothing, but even worse, now my mouse wasn't working either, rendering my PC useless. Fortunately I had a spare of each but not cordless, so I was able to get in to see what was going wrong.
After going through all the troubleshooting procedures and a clean install of the hardware software, etc, still no go....dead as a flamin' dodo. Dontcha just hate it...when something stuffs up big time...and its only 2 days out of warranty!!! Now there was no way I was going back to corded so off I went today to get me a new cordless setup....eventually settling for a basic MS package with some mulimedia funtions) that suits my needs for AU$79. (bugger, there goes the wine, women and song night)
Okay, okay, its MS, and no, it doesn't have all those fancy extra mouse buttons, and sure, there are other brands out there with all sorts of nick nacks and do-dads that MS doesn't.....so what.
I'm pleased with what I've got....so let the anti-MS flamers off their leashes cos I'm sure somebody will be happy for me.....besides me
7,177 views 26 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If your happy with what you have, then who cares what someone else my think. It's only their opinion. Your what counts in the end Starkers...and how you like your new keyboard and mouse.

I'm happy for ya

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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i had a MS wireless set - it was pretty good.. i never used the extra buttons though - i gave it to my friend though - i got an apple pro keyboard (USB) and mighty mouse which i use for my iBook when i'm at home or w/ my desktop when it's in my room. i love how my apple keyboard types ^_^. it doesn't matter what you have - as long as it works and does what you need it to. (it may be microsoft, but i don't think that keyboards get viruses
Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Cordless is for people with shares in Eveready....

If you want proper connectivity, free of interference, and battery issues...and not to mention input 'lag'.....

Get into bondage.....

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If your happy with what you have, then who cares what someone else my think. It's only their opinion. Your what counts in the end Starkers...and how you like your new keyboard and mouse.

I'm happy for ya


Thanks, Patriots....I knew there'd be people who were happy for me, despite the fact that my wine, women and song night going down the gurgler. Truth is, I'd rather stay at home anyway, with my puter and missus....cups of tea cos I fell ON the wagon 3 years back and haven't found a good enough excuse to fall off again.
Yeah, I'm happy with what I got, but I guess maybe there was a bit of mishief behind the posting of this thread.....you know, with the OS wars and all, MS this and Mac that, etc, etc. All's been quiet on that front for a while, so I thought I'd stir the pot, so to speak....like throw in a line and see if ya get any bites
It's like two birds with one stone really. Like a kid with a new toy, I just had to try it out ASAP, and there's no better way than to click here and there to end up here at WC, maybe get a few bites as well.
Strange really, ending up with MS products after swearing I'd never trust them again.....not after swearing that they covertly included cheats in the critical updates to make Spider Solitaire harder to get out

i love how my apple keyboard types ^_^. it doesn't matter what you have - as long as it works and does what you need it to. (it may be microsoft, but i don't think that keyboards get viruses


Not exactly the kind of bite I was hoping for, but it'll do for a start
But you're right on the money there...whatever works and turns you on, hey. I don't give a flying forgetmenot who the manufacturer is, so long as it performs what's required, and not that I've ever had much to do with Apple products, I'm sure they have some pretty good gear.
As for the keyboards and viruses thing....well I'm not too sure about that. The Belkin setup I had before shat itself for some unbeknown reason....in device manager, everywhere, it said this device is working properly, and yeah, the software was....but the hardware just seemed to grow old rather rapidly, breaking down bit by bit, and then just died. My neighbour even tried it on his machine, same thing, clean smooth installation of software and etc, Windows confirms all is working correctly....but still no KB, mouse functions with my hardware, but all worked fine with his (slightly different model.)

Oh well, I'm stoked with what I've got....and the Belkin will get a fine and respectable send off, when I can find that darned hammer....so that when it frustrates the crap out of a mate I'm giving it to, he can come borrow the right tools to fix it. Yeah, I got arthritis, tennis elbow and mouse wrist, so I'm getting him to do my dirty work co I can't lift the hammer high enough anymore

EDIT....just occurred to me....Belkin has just been added to this OS/equipment flame war, inadvertantly, of course.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Get into bondage...


Not bloody likely....last time it took me a week to get the keys for the handcuffs off the missus
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

BTW...I've always been happy with my MS Intellimouse Explorer.....the grey fat one with the tail...

Nothing wrong with MS....

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Multiple Sclerosis....on the other hand.....
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MS Starkers what the #%$@ were you #%$@&*! thinking.

Is that a better bite.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
BTW...I've always been happy with my MS Intellimouse Explorer.....the grey fat one with the tail..


Actually, that's my spare.. the fat grey one with the tail....trouble with it is age I guess, cos sometimes it sort of freezes up and you're frantically moving the mouse for zero cursor movement on screen. Taken apart and cleaned, it will behave for a while, but eventually it again frustrates to the point of almost giving it some flying lessons......

One mouse type gadgets I could never come to terms with are those things that sit statically on your desk and has a ball thingy to scroll and manipulate everything. I suppose one could get used to it after a while and some practice, but a mate has one and I found it to be the most awkward, cumbersome thing to use as a mouse alternative...just not really my cup of tea.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
MS Starkers what the #%$@ were you #%$@&*! thinking.


Believe me, no thought went into it or was involved...not until I needed that darned key.....the opposing thought: "If you can find it......"
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

those things that sit statically on your desk and has a ball thingy to scroll and manipulate everything.

It's a trackball...

Problem with older Explorers....the 'tail' is fragile....loses connection....this, my second is fine....

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I got the MS wireless Bluetooth mouse, since my laptop has BT built into it. Eats a ton of batteries, so I got a few of those NiMH rechargable batteries. Works out great. I like being able to do my mousing from across the room.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've gone through two Microsoft Natural corded keyboards since 95. For some unknown reason, the cord on my second kb really likes getting caught in the rail of the sliding drawer of my desk; it gets pinched, cut, etc. So I used the cord from the first, and did a repair/extension. That's lasted 2 years, but once again, at every opportunity, the cord tries to snuggle with that keyboard rail. Cuts and nicks abound on my keyboard cord. Last week the caps lock stopped working and the num lock was blinking erratically. Fortunately Future Shop here in Canuckville had Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop on sale (with the ergo keyboard) cheaper than the wired ergo. I love it and swear by it.

So no flamin here, MS can't write software if they're life depended on it, but they make one helluva a keyboard!
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's a trackball..


Trackball, eh? For me it was like a deaf, dumb and blind bloodhound with no sense of smell....couldn't get it to track anything. May have something to do with being left-handed for everything else except scissors and puter mice.....with Trackball I lack the control and dexterity with my right hand, yet I'm quite comfortable using a mouse right-handed


I got the MS wireless Bluetooth mouse, since my laptop has BT built into it. Eats a ton of batteries, so I got a few of those NiMH rechargable batteries. Works out great. I like being able to do my mousing from across the room.


My Belkin mouse used to eat batteries for breakfast, lunch and tea (dinner), but this new MS one seems to be less power hungry With my Belkin I;d have to replace my rechargable's around every 24-28 hours, depending on usage, but this user friendly MS mouse has a battery meter and in 22 hours there seems to be quite little power consumption. Dunno about blue teeth tho....can't find 'em to check


So no flamin here, MS can't write software if they're life depended on it, but they make one helluva a keyboard!


Thank you. that's very reassuring....and to think I was going to buy a Logitech setup, 'til they told me it only came in off-white....needed a black combo to match everything else. One helluva keyboard, eh....and in black, too.

Can't say that I agree with the software comment though...mind you, I'm not one of those nano techno geeks who demands the ultimate in software. I'm relatively new to computing and haven't quite wrapped my mind around the entire concept as yet (limited attention span/concentration difficulties), so MS software performs well enough for my wants and needs.
Oh well, it was half a bite.

BTW...my attention span/concentration difficulties arise as the result of chronic osteo arthritis in my back/neck (amongst other places), thus I have spinal deformities which cause constant/persitent headaches, etc. Just in case I get a bite about being cerebrally challenged and it's alleged that I have a few sheep loose in the top paddock It's probably why I don't skin...it'd take a month of Sundays to decide upon a theme, etc, let alone put one together
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If it matters I've had my MS optical mouse for 3 years now. Used it so much I've worn the MS logo down to just a faint M.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I dunno, Microsoft seems to go through phases with reputable items and not so good. HP is the same. It's just a trial and error for any hardware.

I used to have the MS optical mouse when it first came out (use a laptop now) and just loved it. Missed my gel wrist-rest mousepad though.

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Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
My MS wireless keyboard & mouse work like a dream - had them for a couple of years now - god knows the number of batteries I have gone through, but it's all good! Pitty there isn't enough paint on the mouse though - it wore off after 6 months.

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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I dunno, Microsoft seems to go through phases with reputable items and not so good. HP is the same. It's just a trial and error for any hardware.


Oh well, half a flame is better than none or a poke in the eye with a blunt stick
But you're right, it is a process of trial and error....found that out with the aforementioned Belkin setup, it just didn't have the staying power. According to my neighbour, who tried it out on his machine, it was the infra red signal thingy that died....as my keyboard, mouse worked okay on his PC using his infra red unit. Can't buy those seperately, so now he has spares.
Despite some anti-MS sentiment in some quarters, it would seem that I'll be quite happy for quite some time with this MS setup I have now, given several positive comments here and from others I've spoken with.


Pitty there isn't enough paint on the mouse though - it wore off after 6 months.


Okay, not a problem....I'll wear some cotton wool gloves
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I love Microsoft mouses. I still has first-generation optical mouse. Works great, still. I had two of those, but one died after a year and Microsoft replaced it for free.

Of course, I just bought a laser mouse... I love it... very sharp control indeed.
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have a Wireless Optical Mouse Blue. It eats batteries almost as fast as I eat chocolate...

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Trackball, eh? For me it was like a deaf, dumb and blind bloodhound with no sense of smell....couldn't get it to track anything. May have something to do with being left-handed for everything else except scissors and puter mice.....with Trackball I lack the control and dexterity with my right hand, yet I'm quite comfortable using a mouse right-handed


If you really use one for two weeks you'll never go back. I haven't used a mouse for about 10 years. I was having problems with my elbow always being sore and someone talked me into trying one out. I complained that I'd never be able to control it as accurately as I did a mouse but man was I wrong. I spend any where form 6 to 10 hours a day doing CADD work. It takes some time (40-50 hours) to get used to it but once you do watch out. The one to get is the Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel. I had to buy the last 2 from their website since you rarely find them at the store any more.
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a Wireless Optical Mouse Blue. It eats batteries almost as fast as I eat chocolate...


Been running mine for 2-3 days on the original batteries and the meter stills shows 90% plus usage remaining.....and it gets ALot of use, so I'm either doing something right or the claim on the packaging about 'extended battery' life is correct.


If you really use one for two weeks you'll never go back. I haven't used a mouse for about 10 years. I was having problems with my elbow always being sore and someone talked me into trying one out. I complained that I'd never be able to control it as accurately as I did a mouse but man was I wrong.


Part of my problem with Trackball is osteo arthritis....it felt like I needed to use more hand/finger movement than I do with a mouse. After a while, my hand and fingers became rather stiff and sore...my joints ached more in a shorter time than with a mouse, so a mouse it is, for me. I have no doubt that trackball devices are great for some people, but not for me....and given my reason, I don't even have a legitimate reason to flame, either.

At the end of the day, it's each to his/her own and what makes their day, etc.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Part of my problem with Trackball is osteo arthritis

Hopefully I can avoid that one.
For me, it's all in the thumb. I don't move any thing else except my middle finger to use the scroll wheel. That muscle between thumb and forefinger does get "developed" over time.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
OMGs...when I gave up my desktop I gave the puter to my mom and got a different mouse - the MS Trackball. She loves it (has had it now for over 4 years) I absolutely hate it. Never have liked the trackball.

I do have to give MS props though for coming out with the ergonomic keyboard way back when. I had to buy one when they came out and boy did they ever save my wrists. When you work on puters for 8 hours a day then come home and are on for another 6.....

I actually had to reorganize myself when I went back to a solid keyboard (laptop). :/ I miss that keyboard.

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