Why is my mouse pointer non-functional?
 

I am trying to install Suse Linux Professional 9.0 on a Compaq 1600 (350Mhz) system and I am having a problem with the mouse pinter during the installation.

I configured the hardware properly using Compaq/HP's Smartstart utility. I then proceeded to install Linux 9.0 professional on the system by selecting the "Installation" option at the initial screen. The mouse works correctly through the initial screens of selecting language and Date/Time settings. However, once Yast begins to detect the systems hardware it stops working. Yast selects the correct mouse hardware (in this instance a Microsoft Intellimouse in the aux-port). However, the mouse pointer does not work on the screen. Correct hardware but no mouse!!??


Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Try using the keyboard (tab/shift-tab, up/down/left/right, return/space) to change the mouse settings to other likely values. I have to do this to get my MS Wireless Optical mouse to work, since the install always seemed to pick the wrong one.

Alternatively, finish the install without a mouse, and try and fix the problem on a working system.

Answer
 

I found my own answer on this. I bought a cheap USB PCI card and mouse and that did the trick. The Compaq Smartstart doesn't recognize the mouse, but that it not a big deal. Once the install started, the USB mouse was recognized by the OS, and away I went... Cost me all of $20...

Well the trick is not to configure the mouse via YAST but via sax2.

When KDE is started, press [CTRL]+[ALT]+[F1] to kill the x-windows server.
You will get to the command line.
If your system does not show the command prompt, but hangs at a message, simply press enter.
Now type at the command line
init 3
to enter init level 3.

Again:If your system does not show the command prompt, but hangs at a message, simply press enter.

Start now sax2 by entering at then command line
sax2

You can now add your old mouse by selecting in sax2:
Input Devices->Mouse
Press teh "Change" Button and then "Add new mouse"

After adding the mouse, test your config and if it works how it should, save it.

Restart x-windows and kde (or gnome) by typing at the command prompt:
init 5