Can I use a RF Mouse With W-10

After I updated From w-7 to w-10 my mouse and touch pad are freezing up on me. I use a wired mouse and it is fine, but I do prefer to use a wireless mouse. All drivers for mouse/bluetooth were updated.
Laptop is a nine year old Dell 3521

Was going to try a dongle/mouse set up. Should it work with my laptop?

Thank You
Gary

 

Hi gary7, Did you allow All W10 updates to install?
Have you Shut down and Started the Laptop?

Yes. I use a mix of Logitech and Microsoft Wireless mouse between 3 Desktops and 2 Laptops without problem. You may have to switch off Touchpad to prevent any conflict.

 

Just to cause more confusion... err... I mean to clarify, while Bluetooth is a wireless (radio) "RF" system, there is a difference between an RF mouse and Bluetooth mouse.

Both use RF frequencies in the 2.4GHz band but Bluetooth uses specific, industry standard protocols and typically, you can "pair" a BT mouse with any BT "dongle" (radio transceiver). In fact, many laptops have BT support built in so we can add a BT mouse or other peripherals (like external speakers) without adding a new dongle too. And you can add BT support to a PC or laptop that does not already have BT by adding a BT dongle or card. Note that many add-on wifi adapters cards now include Bluetooth too.

During the "pairing" process, the "handshaking" involves searching for an unused frequency within the 2.4GHz band to sync on. This is how you can have multiple BT devices in the same room, all on the 2.4GHz band, but not [hopefully] interfering with each other. In fact, you can unpair then pair with a different dongle.

But with a "RF" mouse, the pairing is done at the factory and requires a specific dongle where the set frequency is burned into the device's and dongle's firmware. You cannot use a different dongle. My Microsoft keyboard and mouse set are RF devices and came with a specific dongle that must be used with that keyboard and that mouse, and only that keyboard and mouse.

With a RF mouse, you just plug [in the dongle] and play.

With a BT mouse, you plug in the dongle, pair, then play.

You may be wondering how your home wireless network and Bluetooth and RF mice (as well as TV remotes, RC airplanes, some garage door openers, microwave ovens!!, and other RF devices) can all operate on the 2.4GHz bandwidth without "walking over" (interfering) with each other. The answer is they use different "modulation" protocols. So it is kinda like using a different language to communicate, only they can't hear each other and don't have to yell over each other.

And if wondering, there are over 70 Bluetooth channels and over RF channels. This is how you can have 20 RF or Bluetooth keyboards and mice in the same office and they don't interfere with each other. Now whether you glow at night when you go home, well, that's for another discussion!

Clear as mud, huh?

 

Yes, everything is updated on W-10 & drivers are all updated. I did have issues like this on W-7 but it maybe once a month. Mouse is a BT MS sculpt, about 9 years old. It works intermittently freezes 4 or 5 times a day. I did check settings with a wired mouse and the BT mouse is not discoverable when this happens. The toggle switch is set to off. I thought a mouse with a dongle might be worth a try. Yes, I see the logic in turning off the Touchpad. If I get say a LogiTech mouse with a dongle it's just a plug n play, what about settings for pointer, sensitivity etc. I wanted to make sure this laptop would be compatible with a mouse/dongle.

Going to try to get through Bill's reply!

Thank You

 

Thank you Bill. Well, "With a BT mouse, you plug in the dongle, pair, then play" Thus all I need is a dongle to try with my BT MS Sculpt mouse, or do I need a new mouse/dongle?

 

Nope. As seen here,

 

Please excuse me Bill, I am 76 and not as sharp as I once was, starting to forget things. Yes I know how to connect it, but it keeps freezing up. I read I could try a mouse with a dongle. Thank you for the link to my mouse.uncle

So if I was your old uncle what advise would you give me?

Thank You

 

I'm only a couple years behind you so I hear you - well, if I turn my head I hear you! Too many years working around military flightlines.

Let's check the obvious first. Are there fresh batteries in the mouse?

Have you tried the mouse on a different computer? Have you tried a different USB port?

You might have to totally uninstall the mouse drivers, then install them again.

 

Mouse is not connected to a usb port. Yes, new batteries & also updated drivers.

 

Right. But the dongle is, right? One might assume the mouse locking up indicates a problem with the mouse. But it could be the connection as in USB port losing connection with the dongle.

 

I do not have a dongle or new mouse. Just the MS BT Sculpt

 

Sorry. Can I blame that on a "senior moment"?

The MS BT mouse must be able to "pair" with a transceiver to work. So your Dell must have an integrated BT transceiver, or a dongle. Since it did work and still works intermittantly, we have to assume there is a transceiver. But being 9 years old, it may be faulty. You likely will need to test this mouse on another computer that supports BT, or try to pair a different BT mouse with this computer. If me, because the mouse is 9 years old, I would probably look at buying a new wireless mouse.

I have this M190 mouse on one of my systems and like it very much.

 

LOL, I get senior hours! Yes, I was thinking it might just be the mouse. I'll go buy a new one, delete this one first and then pair the new one. If that doesn't work on to a dongle.