Laptop problems

Shaque attack

2 questions

first, i have an optical usb mouse that is malfunctioning. Sometimes it works, others it doesnt. sometimes its working then stops, the red light turns off. then if i plug it out and plug it back in it usually works. Any ideas whats wrong.

Second, and totally unrelated, i was given a gift of a second laptop which wont play any games. Its P3 700Mhz, 128MB RAM but wont even play q3 areana. I was told there might be some software on it to prevent it playing games, i think it more likely it has a **** graphics card. I dont seem to have an option to enter setup when the laptop is booting up, where do I check the graphics cards specs?

Champ

Well;
If you've used the USB port for other stuff other than the optical mouse and there have been no problems; i would say the problem lies with the mouse.
I'd say this is highly unlikely; but maybe the mouse wants a USB 2.0 port and your plugging it into a USB 1.1 port? Highly unlikely in that most mice work fine with either a USB 2.0 / 1.1 port; as far as i know.

As for the graphics cards; i'd use the directx diagnostics.
In a Windows run box type "dxdiag". If that doesn't work do a search for "dxdiag*.*".

Shaque attack

thanks that was very helpful, ive a 700mhz prossesor, 128mb ram but when it comes to the graphics card ive only 4 mb memory, FFS!

hmm, suppose i need to get a new card then do I?

pyrogenx

Laptop's gfx cards are usually not upgradable, however i believe in some of the brand new high end machines u can change it.

The mouse: Get a usb ---> PS2 adapter and plug it into the ps2 conection. On my pc i used to have the same problem with my mouse and other usb periperals. Now my mouse works fine at all times

pyrogenx

Forgot to say, thanx a lot Champ for tellin about "dxdiag"!!
If i knew about it before i could have saved a lot of time. Up to now i've always tools to see details bout HW.