Problem with Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
 

I have a Microsoft Intellimouse explorer mouse and during installation of Linux, my mouse wasn't working, so then I tabbed my way to the mouse section and selected the model of the mouse. Indeed, it worked... until I finished my installation. Once I rebooted and got into linux for the first time, my mouse no longer works. I tried rebooting, unplugging and plugging back in the mouse but nothing works... does anyone have any idea how to fix it?! I'm desperate! Plz help!

I use Susie 9.3

This problem is likely one of the most annoying, yet persistant problems in Linux, one of those things that makes you scratch your head and wonder why it seemingly cannot be repaired. In truth, it's an X problem, but you'd think most distributions would have chimed in by now.

In the /etc/X11 directory, you have a file named XF86Config, or XF86Config-4, or similar. Use an editor to open the file (if you have a Unix background, vi or emacs will work, but for most people, the 'nano' or 'pico' editor is easier to use.

Basically, the config for X (the windowing system) needs the mouse set as 'IMPS/2', but the automated config files set it as 'Imps/2'. Don't ask me why, but my guess is that Unix needs the alternate item.

so, your XF86Config[-4] should look similar to this:

Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"

Of course, this is for ps/2 mice, usb mice might have a similar problem, but I don't have one available at the moment, sorry. The ZAxis part controls the scrolling, by the way. This holds true for all PS/2 mice from most manufacturers, too, including logitech and generics.

I realize this is a side-track to the original question, but I feel it's almost related.

I have ths Microsoft mouse as well. In Windows I had one of the side buttons set to minimize the active window.

Is it possible to do the same in Linux?
I currently have Suse 10GM installed, using KDE.

Thanks