Types of Microsoft Mice Available

ID: Q111049

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Mouse versions 1.0, 2.0
Microsoft BallPoint Mouse versions 1.0, 2.0

SUMMARY

Microsoft currently manufactures two types of mice: the Microsoft Mouse and the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse.

The Microsoft Mouse is a standard desktop pointing device. The Microsoft BallPoint Mouse is designed to be attached to a notebook or laptop computer, but it can also be attached to a standard desktop keyboard.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Mouse

The information below applies to both versions of the Microsoft Mouse.

The Microsoft Mouse is a two-button desktop pointing device. There are four different types of the Microsoft Mouse. The type of mouse defines how it can be connected to your computer and is clearly marked on the front of the retail package.

The four different types of the Microsoft Mouse are as follows:

Serial Mouse (marked "Serial Version" on front of package).

This mouse works on a 9- or 25-pin serial port only and ships with a 9-to-25 pin serial adapter.

NOTE: A serial-to-mouse port adapter is not shipped with this package since this mouse does not work on a mouse port (PS/2 port).

Mouse Port Compatible Mouse (marked "Round Mouse Port PS/2 Version" on front of package).

This mouse works on a PS/2-style mouse port only. Connecting this mouse to a serial port with an adapter does not work.

Serial-Mouse Port Compatible Mouse (marked "Round Mouse Port PS/2 and Serial Version" on front of package).

The circuitry of this mouse allows it to work on both serial and mouse ports (PS/2 ports).

It ships with a serial-to-mouse port adapter as well as a 9-to-25 pin serial adapter. This mouse is often referred to as a "combination mouse."

Bus or Inport Mouse (marked "Bus Version" on front of package).

The bus mouse ships with its own interface card, which plugs into any available expansion slot on an ISA or EISA machine. It is not compatible with MCA expansion slots. The bus mouse is "interrupt selectable" (you can choose from interrupts 2 through 5) and can save serial ports for other uses.

NOTE:Adapting the bus mouse to work on a serial or mouse port is not supported.

NOTE:You should decide which mouse to use based on the available resources of your computer system (for example, available expansion slots, serial ports, or a mouse port).

BallPoint Mouse

The Microsoft BallPoint Mouse is a pointing device designed to be attached to a notebook or laptop computer. It can also be attached to a standard desktop keyboard. The BallPoint Mouse is available in versions 1.0 and 2.0, but unlike the desktop Microsoft Mouse, there are substantial differences in type depending on the version.

Version 1.0

This mouse is sold in two types; mouse port only and serial-mouse port compatible. Compatibility, limitations, and provided adapters are the same as the desktop varieties noted above.

Version 2.0

The version 2.0 BallPoint is sold in a mouse port version only. It cannot be adapted to work on any other port.

Additional query words:


Keywords          : 
Version           : 1.00 2.00
Platform          : WINDOWS 
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Last Reviewed: August 9, 1999