DOCUMENT:Q130378 17-DEC-2000 [win95x] TITLE :Mouse Connected to Disabled COM Port Functions Properly PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER: OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== You may experience either of the following situations: - Although the current hardware profile indicates that the PS/2-style or serial port to which the mouse is attached is disabled, the mouse functions properly. - Although the current hardware profile indicates that a particular serial port is disabled, you can communicate with that port from an MS-DOS prompt. CAUSE ===== When you start Windows 95 with a hardware profile in which the port that the mouse is connected to is disabled, the Windows 95 mouse driver searches all the appropriate ports for a mouse. If the driver locates a mouse, the driver loads and the mouse works correctly. Similarly, accessing a serial port from an MS-DOS prompt bypasses the virtual communications driver, accessing the port directly. Therefore, you can communicate with the port even if it is disabled in Device Manager. RESOLUTION ========== If you do not want to use a mouse in Windows 95, remove the mouse in Device Manager and then disconnect the mouse from the computer. STATUS ====== This behavior is by design. Additional query words: vm ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWin95search kbZNotKeyword3 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2000.