Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2019 November 5

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November 5[edit]

Why did red light on my mouse go out?[edit]

The cursor wasn't moving, which happens when the computer won't do anything. Somehow I happened to notice the mouse light wasn't on and I turned the computer off and turned it back on. The mouse was working again and its light was on. — Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 19:35, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Vchimpanzee, There are a lot of possible reasons, but the most likely is that the cable simply got loose. MoonyTheDwarf (Braden N.) (talk) 20:00, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I checked the cable but even after I plugged it back in, no red light. Nothing improved until the computer was turned off and on.— Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 20:09, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Vchimpanzee, Odd. I'll just assume Windows was being silly. But that's assuming you use windows. MoonyTheDwarf (Braden N.) (talk) 20:45, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
I didn't think a mouse's light had anything to do with Windows, but I have Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge.— Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 20:54, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Vchimpanzee, It likely had to do with how USB, and more specifically, USB power, works. But that's just a guess, I don't know much about your setup. MoonyTheDwarf (Braden N.) (talk) 21:00, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
And how would I describe my setup?— Vchimpanzee • talk • contributions • 21:02, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
Vchimpanzee, Not a clue. This seems like it's probably just a onetime occurence to me, so I doubt it matters at all. MoonyTheDwarf (Braden N.) (talk) 21:02, 5 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
This is some kind of IRQ crapout on part of Windows 10. Either that or a faulty USB port, but more likely to be a W10 problem. Try updating mobo drivers if it starts repeating a lot, or maybe MS will push an update. 93.142.93.32 (talk) 21:52, 6 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
A lot of USB ports are loose, such that any vibration causes the plug to disconnect either temporarily or until wiggled (or pulled out and plugged in again). USB cords don't have anything to hold them in, but other connectors do. The thumbscrews from a VGA port work, but are painful to screw and unscrew when reaching behind the device (especially a TV mounted on a wall), through a nest of wires. Then there's the click and unclick fastener on a phone or Ethernet cord. That system works, and is easy to use, but the plastic tab tends to break off after a few hundred cycles. SinisterLefty (talk) 22:00, 6 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
For me, I sometimes have problems when trying to plug in a 2nd pointing device. Unplugging all but one, and then rebooting, solves it. I've had similar issues with keyboards. SinisterLefty (talk) 02:18, 6 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]
For energy saving the LED dims down. On demand, it is powered up. When the USB link is down, the LED turns off. A physical failure of and wires, soldering or connector disrupts any functionality. --Hans Haase (有问题吗) 19:49, 7 November 2019 (UTC)[reply]