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Hot plugging and mouse restoration
It is strongly recommended that you switch off a computer before attempting
to connect it to the MC5. However, if this is not possible then you need to
‘hot plug’ the computer while it is still running. There is not normally a danger
of damage to the computer, however, when mouse communications are
interrupted, often they fail to re-initialise when reconnected. The MC5 provides
a feature to reinstate mouse communications once the necessary connections
have been made.
There are two main types of data formats used by current PC mice, these are
the older ‘PS/2’ or ‘standard mouse’ format and the more recent ‘IntelliMouse
®
’
format introduced by Microsoft. These use slightly different data arrangements
and it is important to know which type was being used before you hot-plugged
the computer to the MC5. The previous setting depends both on the type of
mouse and the type of driver, as various combinations of PS/2 and IntelliMouse
are possible. Using the incorrect restore function may produce unpredictable
results and require the computer to be re-booted.
Which restore setting do I use?
The general rule is that unless both the mouse
and
the driver are
both
IntelliMouse compatible then you need to restore the mouse as ‘PS/2’. An
IntelliMouse can operate in either mode, whereas a PS/2 mouse cannot.
Recognising an IntelliMouse-style mouse
The IntelliMouse format was introduced to support, among other features, the
scroll wheel function. If the mouse has a scroll wheel, then it is likely to support
the IntelliMouse format. If it is a Microsoft-branded mouse, then it will usually
state that it is an IntelliMouse on its underside label.
Recognising an IntelliMouse driver
Before hot plugging to the MC5 (or afterwards using only keyboard control),
access the Windows Control Panel of the computer and select either the
Mouse
option (on Windows NT, 2000 and XP) or the
System
option (on Windows 95,
98, ME). Look for the name of the driver, which will usually include the words
PS/2
or
IntelliMouse
.
To restore mouse operation when hot plugging:
1 Using a suitable CAM (Computer Access Module) and category 5, 5e or 6
link cabling, carefully make the connections between the keyboard, monitor,
mouse (and audio) sockets of the computer and the required MC5 port.
2
Select the port
of the newly connected computer and then display the
Configuration menu
.
3 Highlight ‘Functions’ and press
.
4 As appropriate, highlight one of the following options:
•
Restore Standard Mouse
– if PS/2 mode is required, or
•
Restore IntelliMouse
– if IntelliMouse mode is required.
Then press
.
5 Move the mouse a short distance and check for appropriate on-screen
cursor movement. If the mouse cursor darts erratically around the screen,
then cease moving the mouse. This is an indication that the chosen restore
function is incorrect. Try again using the other restore function.
Note: The restore functions predict the likely mouse resolution settings but
may not restore the exact speed or sensitivity settings that were originally
set.
