Linux MINT. Mouse stops working after awhile

PaulCK · 04-30-2022, 11:33 AM

I have a new install of Mint 20 and after inactivity the mouse just stops working.

At first disappeared then made setting change make it bigger now the pointer remains but will not move.

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 730 (Zotac 8GB)
CPU: Intel i7
Ram: 32GB

Mouse and keyboard are USB via hub in a KVM switch. All work fine for other PC's on switch and keyboard continues to function normally on same USB port so the port is working okay.

I have had no luck getting any solutions on mint forum.

Only way to recover mouse is to reboot.

Code:

Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 007: ID 0101:0007  
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0a81:0103 Chesen Electronics Corp. Keyboard
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 058f:6254 Alcor Micro Corp. USB Hub ( KVM )
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0024 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub

Top

Code:

System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-109-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0 
  Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una 
  base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP Compaq 6200 Pro SFF PC 
  v: N/A serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 1497 serial: <filter> UEFI: Hewlett-Packard 
  v: J01 v02.21 date: 06/20/2012 
CPU:
  Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Core i7-2600 bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Sandy Bridge rev: 7 L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
  flags: avx lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 54271 
  Speed: 3009 MHz min/max: 1600/3800 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2059 2: 2052 
  3: 1722 4: 1724 5: 1726 6: 1628 7: 1680 8: 1803 
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GK208B [GeForce GT 730] vendor: ZOTAC driver: nvidia 
  v: 470.103.01 bus ID: 01:00.0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: nvidia 
  unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa 
  resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz, 1680x1050~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730/PCIe/SSE2 
  v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 470.103.01 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio 
  vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 
  Device-2: NVIDIA GK208 HDMI/DP Audio vendor: ZOTAC driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.1 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-109-generic 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network vendor: Hewlett-Packard 
  driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: f040 bus ID: 00:19.0 
  IF: eno1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 829.06 GiB used: 15.37 GiB (1.9%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Seagate model: ST3250312AS size: 232.89 GiB 
  ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Western Digital model: WD6400AAKS-65Z7B0 
  size: 596.17 GiB 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 227.74 GiB used: 15.37 GiB (6.7%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 43.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nvidia temp: 50 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nvidia fan: 33% 
Info:
  Processes: 327 Uptime: 1h 02m Memory: 15.59 GiB used: 2.97 GiB (19.0%) 
  Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 Shell: bash v: 5.0.17 
  inxi: 3.0.38

Today reboot now mouse is just drawing a square on desktop. Clicking does nothing.

Maybe time abandon Mint since it appears to have little support.

SlowCoder · 05-02-2022, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulCK

I have a new install of Mint 20 and after inactivity the mouse just stops working.

At first disappeared then made setting change make it bigger now the pointer remains but will not move.

...

Today reboot now mouse is just drawing a square on desktop. Clicking does nothing.

What specific ISO of Mint 20 did you install? There are a few varieties.
It looks like you're using newer hardware. I suggest you try their 20.3 Edge, which uses kernel 5.13, and has better support for newer chips.

My first inclination is that your USB might not be waking up after sleep.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulCK

Maybe time abandon Mint since it appears to have little support.

Not sure where you get this, but it's not true. It is one of the most popular distros, and very well supported. They also have their own forum at https://forums.linuxmint.com/ , which is very active.

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowCoder

What specific ISO of Mint 20 did you install? There are a few varieties.
It looks like you're using newer hardware. I suggest you try their 20.3 Edge, which uses kernel 5.13, and has better support for newer chips.

My first inclination is that your USB might not be waking up after sleep.

If that were case the keyboard would also not work. Also set to never sleep. Same USB port via the hub in the KVM Switch. I have tried different mice and different USB ports.

Not sure where you get this, but it's not true. It is one of the most popular distros, and very well supported. They also have their own forum at https://forums.linuxmint.com/ , which is very active.

I have posted in the mint forum but no one seems to reply since asking me for the above data from system.

I tried a couple different drivers including two Nvidia and the default noveau driver. Problem remains consistent.

//

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowCoder

What specific ISO of Mint 20 did you install? There are a few varieties.
It looks like you're using newer hardware. I suggest you try their 20.3 Edge, which uses kernel 5.13, and has better support for newer chips.

This was posted in sys info above but will repeat here.

System:
Kernel: 5.4.0-109-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una
base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal

Can I upgrade to "edge" or do I need to a total wipe and re install?

SlowCoder · 05-02-2022, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulCK

Can I upgrade to "edge" or do I need to a total wipe and re install?

You can do the next best thing. Update Manager app in Mint allows you to upgrade the kernel.

Take a look at https://linux-hardware.org . You can look up your model and see where there are compatibility issues.

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowCoder

You can do the next best thing. Update Manager app in Mint allows you to upgrade the kernel.

Take a look at https://linux-hardware.org . You can look up your model and see where there are compatibility issues.

Cool. I will look into that...after another coffee !!

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulCK

Cool. I will look into that...after another coffee !!

https://linux-hardware.org/?probe=a680758da3

Going to check on upgrade now. Shows a couple of known issues with that GPU and buss

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 09:39 AM

Current was: 5.4.0 updating now to 5.13.0

computersavvy · 05-02-2022, 09:39 AM

I have seen several instances where devices attached to an external usb hub do not function after waking from suspend, but did after unplugging and plugging back in the hub.

It seems that with a wake up from suspend the OS often senses devices directly connected to internal ports but not those attached on the other side of a usb hub. When the hub is reattached it senses all devices attached to that hub.

PaulCK · 05-02-2022, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computersavvy

I have seen several instances where devices attached to an external usb hub do not function after waking from suspend, but did after unplugging and plugging back in the hub.

It seems that with a wake up from suspend the OS often senses devices directly connected to internal ports but not those attached on the other side of a usb hub. When the hub is reattached it senses all devices attached to that hub.

I do not have set to suspend but time out NEVER. Also if the port did not wake I would assume the keyboard would also not function but it works fine at all times. Same port, same hub. Even a USB mouse left plugged into machine at all times stops working.

I did the kernel update so will see what happens. This is latest probe.
https://linux-hardware.org/?probe=16c772cb33

PaulCK · 05-03-2022, 12:08 PM

I found another power setting in power managment. It seems that if I set that to never it fixed problem however will keep eye on it over time.

As far as BIOS update I will hold off on that.

PaulCK · 05-04-2022, 03:10 PM

UPDATE

Updating kernel did not help.
After changing to NEVER SLEEP in power manager the length of time until mouse stops working seems to have increased but I still stops after awhile.
Update kernel does maintain active mouse that is connected full time to the PC which was not perviously the case but this is not a long term solution.
I sent a support request to StarTech to inquire about the hub in the KVM to see if that could have a problem with a mouse but not keyboard

Stand by..

PaulCK · 05-06-2022, 04:26 PM

Had conversations with KVM manufacture support. Here is what we tried with no solution just to avoid duplicating suggestions.

KVM has 4 port hub built in with 2 ports dedicated for mouse and keyboard which were being used in this configuration. StarTech suggested I check see if I was plugged into these. I was. He informed me those are USB v 1.1 for backward compatibility and to try the other two ports which are v.2.0 which I did.

The problem remains but since I am not using those other hub ports will just leave devices plugged into 2.0 vs 1.1

The result of our talk was that were back to a problem with Mint, perhaps needing some legacy drivers that are not included. They appear to be in the Ubuntu on other machine because I have no problem with mouse there.

Is there a place to obtain some legacy generic mouse drivers that can be installed? Or legacy USB drivers?

Thanks

Will also post this in mint forum.

PaulCK · 05-12-2022, 09:13 AM

I guess I many have to wipe and abandon Mint.

Seems to be no solution to the vanishing mouse issue and now after a day the keyboard ceases to function as well.

I liked the interface better than Ubuntu but if it's not going to function properly I don't really have much choice left. I have not had any such issues with my Ubuntu machine.

Is there a GUI for Ubuntu that is more like Mint?

Thanks for the help tho...

rclark · 05-12-2022, 12:20 PM

I like KUbuntu (KDE) myself. I moved from Cinnamon to KDE no problem. Only irritation was the menu style which later I found I could change to a more standard (like Windoze 7) style (it is an option built in). So my 'irritation' was gone.

Wish I could help with the vanishing mouse problem. I've not experienced that. I always set to 'never' those silly power setting options too... even on my laptop. Cause more headaches than they are worth. Of course you might still run into the problem on the new Disto if this is a 'hardware' issue.