Mouse Problems in Kubuntu
 

I'm new to Linux, so please don't post any complicated stuff. I just switched over to Kubuntu from Windows XP. Kubuntu installed with no problems, and it is currently the only operating system on my computer. While I'm using Kubuntu, my USB mouse will freeze at random times. The only way I can get it to work again is to restart the system. I looked through a few other posts concerning this problem, and read something about changing something in "X" or something. The posts also listed a bunch of stuff that I should change and replace and delete.. a bunch of stuff that didn't make any sense.
Could someone please post some understandable advice on how to solve this problem..?

Computer: Dell Dimension C521
Distro: Kubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron)

Since no one else has answered you, let me see if I can help.

First of all, you do not need to reboot to get the mouse working again. Next time it fails, do this;

Hold down these keys together, Ctrl + Alt + Backspace. The screen will blank out, and the x-server will restart. Let me explain. The x-server runs your graphical interface. When it starts up it reads a file called xorg.conf. This file has the configuration for your monitor, keyboard and mouse in it. So, to get the mouse going, press those keys together, the the server will restart.

Now to fix your problem, there are several ways. The simple way is to find in the gui interface the 'tools' kubuntu supplies to configure the mouse. I don't run Kubuntu now, I did, but it has been a while.

I suspect the wrong protocol is selected. Since I don't have any idea what hardware you have, other than a usb mouse, this isn't all that easy to guess the correct protocol.

What type of mouse, brand, number of buttons, and wheel does it have?

The other way to fix it, is to use root privileges, with the sudo command, and edit a file /etc/X11/xorg.cong and change the protocol in there. Here is what the mouse section in mine looks like...

I'm using a PS/2 mouse not USB on this system. So you will not want the protocol called ExplorerPS/2.

Please post the mouse type. I will try to figure out what protocol to use.

I mentioned the sudo command. When you installed the system, you should have given the root user a password. You will need that if you try to edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.

Have a look through the gui interface and look for a way to change the mouse configuration. If you can find it, then that is the easy way, no direct file editing.


Hope this helps.

The mouse I have is just a plain, standard Dell mouse that I got packaged with my computer. It doesn't have the roll ball thing (it has the red light on the bottom instead of the ball), it's not wireless, and it has two buttons plus the scroll thing. Sorry for the really bad explanation.
Here's a picture of it:
http://www.itcsales.co.uk/acatalog/D...39-big-220.jpg