Wireless Desktop Fun And Games!

[Spike-X]

Along with my shiny fast new computer, I got me a Microsoft Wireless Desktop - keyboard and mouse with USB 2.0 receiver. Most of the time they work fine and dandy, but every now and then they'll go through a phase where they barely work at all; the mouse won't move at all, or it lags like crazy, and I might have to click four or five times on something, and the keyboard will skip whole words, or repeat keystrokes randomly.

Does anyone know why this happens and how I can stop it?

[f. chong rutherford]

Does anyone know why this happens and how I can stop it?

Cylons. The only cure is to join the Caprica resistance OR to let them have your ovaries.

If you don't have ovaries to give, best of luck.

[Spike-X]

Goddamn those Cylons!!

[Spike-X]

Hmm. It seems that the further away I put the USB plug (I have a choice of six USB ports on the back of my computer), the better the receiver works.

[Spike-X]

Seems I was a bit premature in claiming victory over the eeeeeevil wireless crap.

Fuck it. I'm taking this shit back.

[roguespirit]

Microsoft wireless products are a pile of crap. I had exactly the same problem as you. I tried everything, even managed to get a new keyboard and mouse....all to no avail.

In the end I gave up and went logitech. I haven't had a single problem with logitech..I'm loving my desktop wirelessness.

[Spike-X]

Yeah, I just went with the cheapest I could find. Won't be making that mistake again!

[roguespirit]

exactly what I did. but I'm telling you dude. Logitech will make you a happy wireless bunny

[Spike-X]

I just checked the Officeworks website (where I got the Microsoft junk) and they have a Logitech cordless keyboard and mouse for only twenty bucks more. Thanks Rogue!

[Typo Lad]

Yes, the Logitech ones are nice and stable.

[Tadhg]

Yes, the Logitech ones are nice and stable.

If they made diNovo drivers for the Mac, they could have 200 of my hard-earned dollars.

[Typo Lad]

If they made diNovo drivers for the Mac, they could have 200 of my hard-earned dollars.

Your diNovo lust pleases me. It makes me feel less odd for my tech lust.

[Donald M.]

Yes, the Logitech ones are nice and stable.

You think so? I've got Logitech and I have the same kind of problems with the keyboard.

I finally switched out the mouse because I got tired of changing the batteries. What a waste of money.

[Typo Lad]

That's odd. I've had three different Logitechs and have had no issues.

Have you tried switching what batteries your using?

[Spike-X]

You think so? I've got Logitech and I have the same kind of problems with the keyboard.

I finally switched out the mouse because I got tired of changing the batteries. What a waste of money.
Eep!

Does anybody else have any recommendations, specifically for or against Logitech? It'll be a day and a half before I can get into town to exchange this stuff, I'd like to have as much information as possible so I can get something good this time.

[Tadhg]

I can't speak for wireless keyboards, but my MX900 is a trooper. It's survived being thrown around in my bag and dragged to work and class for 3 years now with no problem save for scuff marks.

[Callie]

I like my Kensington wireless mouse. My parents had a logitech set that worked very well though. Never had problems with losing connection except when the batteries ran out.

My wireless Microsoft mouse started blowing up batteries after a year of use. Seriously. I was using it one evening and suddenly heard pops and crackles and fizzes. Maybe a snap or two. I opened it up and one of the batteries was leaking. I threw in a new pair of batteries thinking it was just a bum battery and it happened again after a day.

[roguespirit]

You think so? I've got Logitech and I have the same kind of problems with the keyboard.

I finally switched out the mouse because I got tired of changing the batteries. What a waste of money.

I got a recharging mouse so when I'm not using it I just place the mouse in it's cradle and it charges itself while I'm at work or sleeping

[Typo Lad]

I got a recharging mouse so when I'm not using it I just place the mouse in it's cradle and it charges itself while I'm at work or sleeping

Mine doesn't fit the recharg cradle properly. I have to hold it for a good five minutes before it gets "settled".

[Donald M.]

I got a recharging mouse so when I'm not using it I just place the mouse in it's cradle and it charges itself while I'm at work or sleeping

Getting something like that would have made sense, but I didn't buy the keyboard and mouse set myself, it was a birthday present.

If I ever get motivated enough to buy a new cordless mouse I'll definately have to look into the recharging variety.

[roguespirit]

Mine doesn't fit the recharg cradle properly. I have to hold it for a good five minutes before it gets "settled".

A glass of warm milk always helps mine get settled

[Spike-X]

I'm giving it one more try. I've moved the receiver further away. I figured that the closer the better, so I had the keyboard and mouse practically sitting on the receiver. Then I decided to RTFM.

***

Ok, that isn't working much better at all. I'm still getting random signal dropouts (not as many, but still enough to be more than a minor annoyance). Screw it. This crap is going back to the shop.

[Pól Rua]

...the mouse won't move at all, or it lags like crazy ...

When I first skimmed over this, I read it as 'Its legs were moving like crazy'.
Admittedly, my first thought was, "Spikey, you duffer, are you using a REAL mouse?"

[Pól Rua]

I'm giving it one more try. I've moved the receiver further away. I figured that the closer the better, so I had the keyboard and mouse practically sitting on the receiver. Then I decided to RTFM.

***

Ok, that isn't working much better at all. I'm still getting random signal dropouts (not as many, but still enough to be more than a minor annoyance). Screw it. This crap is going back to the shop.

Alternately...


fire.

No, really.

[Spike-X]

Alternately...


fire.

No, really.
If it wasn't a question of a $60 refund, I'd consider it. Honestly I would.

[Spike-X]

I took the Microsoft junk back tonight and exchanged it for the Logitech EX-110. It's working perfectly so far. Thanks for the recommendation, guys!

[Justin D.]

I bought a wireless multimedia (that means it has lots of buttons at the top) keyboard and mouse a few days back and haven't had a problem with them yet. The only sucky thing is I sometimes have to move the receiver somewhere else if I want to use the keyboard from different location other than around my desk, like if I want to use it as a remote control of sorts from my bed. Still, the only problems with lag I've had are when the receiver is in a different location. It's not a big deal and not worth really complaining much about. Just didn't think I'd have to do that.

[Spike-X]

So, the Logitech EX-110 cordless desktop has a three-year warranty.

Guess what just happened yesterday, three years and four days after I purchased the set?

Go on, guess.

[Michael P]

So, the Logitech EX-110 cordless desktop has a three-year warranty.

Guess what just happened yesterday, three years and four days after I purchased the set?

Go on, guess.It started dispensing candy?

[Spike-X]

It started dispensing candy?
That would have been better than what actually happened!

[Donald M.]

That would have been better than what actually happened!

Not if it only dispensed circus peanuts and black licorice.