Mac OS 9 Lives

Classic Mac OS Hardware => General Hardware Discussions => Topic started by: colluraamara on October 11, 2019, 03:05:50 AM

Title: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: colluraamara on October 11, 2019, 03:05:50 AM
Hi, I own a Power Ma cG4 with OS9.2.2 and all peripherals work ok.
But the black, classic, Apple Pro Mouse won't work. There is a red led under the mouse that blink, but the mouse doesn't work.
In the bottom part i can put the circle near the led in three positions, but no change in any position.
I've tried also to change usb port ancd also tried to connect to the keyboard usb ports, but not works.
Connecting other mouses works fully since switch on the Mac, so the problem is this Pro Mouse.
Someone can help me to solve this problem? There is a way to know if it is broken? Why the red led under the mouse blink?
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: IIO on October 11, 2019, 09:16:43 AM
i can confirm that it should not blink.
Title: Re: Apple Pro Mouse doesn't work!
Post by: FdB on October 11, 2019, 09:55:34 AM
Well, when you first pick up a functioning mouse of this type it does “blink” from the bright red LED to a dim red light… once. And then stays dim until placed back down on surface. But, no continuous blinking. (Not using it on a glass surface?)

Check the cord at the point where it exits the main mouse housing as that is the typical stress point where these mice fail most often (i.e. stretched, broken or strained wires inside that little cord). If you’ve ever tried to re-wire or correct this broken wire strand condition you’ll understand why most simply just get another mouse.

Looks like yours is “twisted a bit” (have seen worse) where it enters the USB plug at the keyboard. Lots of miles and cable twists on these olde mice. Carefully try “un-twisting” any kinks there and where the cable exits the mouse… to see if it possibly changes. If not, well then >>> new or newer mouse.

Then there’s always the reboot & rebuild desktop / zap the PRAM ritual voodoo - before complete surrender. ::)

*You might also try plugging the mouse directly into a USB port on computer back - instead of into the keyboard.
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: IIO on October 11, 2019, 11:20:05 AM
those apple mouses are super exact, but i cant work without 3 buttons/wheel anymore.
Title: MOUSE (on 'roids)
Post by: FdB on October 13, 2019, 07:11:36 AM
Hey IIO...

Maybe you just need a stronger, more-robust mouse? ;)

Anyone have one of these (or the original Mouse) by Lectrosonics?
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: IIO on October 13, 2019, 08:38:04 AM
in was in the same week when the OS 9.2.2 golden master came out that i was throwing my apple mnouse against the wall.

when i bought the OS9 CD in a shop i was fascinated by the wheel mouses they had lying around everywhere. and that changed a lot, because when making music or when programming it can be a real pain to have to do everything using alt and command with the left hand.
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: FdB on October 13, 2019, 09:07:23 AM
Ahh, the trials and tribulations of the vintage Mac users! ::)

"Stiff upper lip and all that rot." -UK User
"Where there's a Mac... there's a way." -FdB ;)

I do wonder if colluraamara got his mouse working yet?
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: IIO on October 13, 2019, 03:24:23 PM
we will never know, because without mouse he will not be able to come back to us.
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: adrianrmarsh on December 04, 2019, 12:23:47 PM
Hi, I own a Power Ma cG4 with OS9.2.2 and all peripherals work ok.
But the black, classic, Apple Pro Mouse won't work. There is a red led under the mouse that blink, but the mouse doesn't work.
In the bottom part i can put the circle near the led in three positions, but no change in any position.
I've tried also to change usb port ancd also tried to connect to the keyboard usb ports, but not works.
Connecting other mouses works fully since switch on the Mac, so the problem is this Pro Mouse.
Someone can help me to solve this problem? There is a way to know if it is broken? Why the red led under the mouse blink?


I have the same black, Apple Pro mouse and it works very well when connected directly to the PowerBook G3 Pismo, in OS 9.2.2, and when connected to my Apple Pro A1048 keyboard, so perhaps it is an issue with the keyboard not supplying enough power to the mouse that causes the flickering, or a dodgy contact, or cable? The three settings underneath the mouse are for changing the pressure required to click the mouse, depending on how firmly you wish to press down – much better than the Mighty Mouse with the trackball that I have and use with a PowerBook G4 that periodically requires disassembling and cleaning.
As to the conversation about one-button mouse, FinderPop is the best solution for that, I find; that long-press menu that pops up with all the options you need added onto the folder in the System is really a brilliant solution to the need for two-button mice.
Title: Re: Classic Apple Pro Mouse does not work on OS9.2.2 (Mac G4)
Post by: mrhappy on December 07, 2019, 09:30:12 AM

I do wonder if colluraamara got his mouse working yet?

It turned out that he was trying to use it on a pillow and after putting it on a hard surface it began functioning again, unfortunately he lost his sight after starring directly into that 'red LED' but he'll report back after the eye surgery heals up!!.... or was that a dream??  ;D ;D ;D