Creative optical mouse 3000 (wired)

[Digiface]

Hi. I bought this mouse from a flea market for 2 euros, but it doesn't work correctly. It lags. In other words, when i move mouse pointer over the screen, sometimes it stops. Can it be that this mouse is not fully compatible with Windows 7? I believe this mouse is from 2003 or 2005. I didn't find drivers for it.

http://www.bootic.com/creative/electronics/computers/computer-components/input-devices/mice-and-trackballs/creative-mouse-optical-3000

[LoRd_MuldeR]

An optical mouse can lose track of the underground, which will cause the mouse cursor to either "freeze" or "jump".

In this case, I suggest that you try cleaning the sensor (carefully!) and/or make sure you use the mouse on an underground (e.g. mouse pad) that is suitable for an optical mouse.

Also it's possible that this mouse just isn't good. I remember my first optical mouse (from early 2000's) was pretty flaky, compared to today's standards...

[Digiface]

Ok. Just tried it on my XP machine, and it acted pretty weirdly. XP constantly started to install device drivers. I think this mouse could need it own drivers. Or it's just not good or even broken. When i bought it, i didn't realise it was that old. It seemed a nice Creative mouse. But i think it's useless.


After cleaning the sensor. it seems to work better. I have a good mouse pad (Func surface 1030)

Hmm, can there be some electronical contact problems, since when hold the mouse upside down, moving the cord makes optical lights and the blue back light go on and off?

Shoud the optical red light always be on, when the mouse is plugged in? Well, i think this Creative mouse has some electronical problems since the light goes on and off.

[LoRd_MuldeR]

It's not unusual that the light gets dimmed, when you don't move the mouse for few seconds...

[Digiface]

Maybe so, but there's definitely something wrong with that mouse. Will throw it away.

[mariush]

When you move the mouse to certain positions, the cable that comes out from the mouse may bend (at the exit from the mouse) in such a way that wires short internally, causing the mouse to "disconnect" or restart. If the cable is short, it could be that you're also pulling the cable and in turn pulling the connector from the back of your pc, causing imperfect contact.

Could also be that the pins inside the usb jack are oxidized, making bad contact with the pc connector.

Also, some mice have problems with some mousepad textures, my old Logitech mouse for example didn't like blue mousepads, and loved light gray mousepads. My current Logitech mx518 works perfectly fine on dark green mousepads but also works fine on white xerox paper if needed.

[Digiface]

When you move the mouse to certain positions, the cable that comes out from the mouse may bend (at the exit from the mouse) in such a way that wires short internally, causing the mouse to "disconnect" or restart. If the cable is short, it could be that you're also pulling the cable and in turn pulling the connector from the back of your pc, causing imperfect contact.

Could also be that the pins inside the usb jack are oxidized, making bad contact with the pc connector.

Also, some mice have problems with some mousepad textures, my old Logitech mouse for example didn't like blue mousepads, and loved light gray mousepads. My current Logitech mx518 works perfectly fine on dark green mousepads but also works fine on white xerox paper if needed.

Ok. When the mouse usb jack is connected, it seems rather loose, more loose than other connected usb devices.

I think there's some wires problems internally, because the mouse seems to connect and disconnect. Like i mentioned, with XP machine it made XP constantly install device drivers. With W7 there were no such thing, but again lagged.

Well, I just tested the mouse again and the cord is very sensitive to movement, which makes the mouse disconnect. I bended the cord while using the mouse and the cord in some postitions made the mouse disconnect.

[Digiface]

I think i was able to FIX it. I opened the mouse. There was no visible wire disconnections and everything looked fine. But the cord (near the opening) made a forced, very narrow 90 degree angle, which i think made the cord "stress" over the time. I took out the angle and made the cord more straight before the opening. It wont disconnect anymore (for now at least). I think the angle was bad desing. :confused:

[raffriff42]

Good catch. Now goop the kinked area with silicone glue to keep it from flexing too much in the future.
http://hackaday.com/2012/06/04/potting-electronics-with-silicone/

[Digiface]

Good catch. Now goop the kinked area with silicone glue to keep it from flexing too much in the future.
http://hackaday.com/2012/06/04/potting-electronics-with-silicone/


Good idea. Hope this helps others with similar issues. Screws were hidden under the four mouse glide pads.

[foxyshadis]

I've had to do this for crappy headphones countless times. (And price is no barrier when it comes to crappiness!) Good that you found a workable solution without having to replace the whole cable!