LinuxQuestions.org - mouse problem please helppppp

my mouse doesnt work so X wont start..

I have done the xf86config like 30 times and get the same error over and over no matter how its configed

Using authority file /home/derek/.Xauthority
Writing authority file /home/derek/.Xauthority

XFree86 Version 4.3.0
Release Date: 27 February 2003
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.6
Build Operating System: Linux 2.4.20 i686 [ELF]
Build Date: 01 March 2003
Before reporting problems, check http://www.XFree86.Org/
to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Thu Jan 15 02:42:52 2004
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config"
(EE) xf86OpenSerial: Cannot open device /dev/mouse
No such file or directory.
(EE) mouse: cannot open input device
(EE) PreInit failed for input device "mouse"
No core pointer

Fatal server error:
failed to initialize core devices

When reporting a problem related to a server crash, please send
the full server output, not just the last messages.
This can be found in the log file "/var/log/XFree86.0.log".
Please report problems to xfree86@xfree86.org.

XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.

there is no /dev/mouse but it worked fine a couple days ago and there was a /dev/mouse and everytime i do the xf86config i thought it would make a /dev/mouse or something but it doesnt

any help is greatly appriciated thanks

im running slackware 9.0 also