concurrent dual mouse usage ?

I use a pretty good wireless right-handed trackball, but I am experincing what might be the early stages of RSI due to mouse/trackball usage for way too many years.

So, I am considering adding another mouse, one that I can use left-handed (needing just one finger and the thumb to control it), and even right-handed allowing different hand position movements from the typical mouse/trackball (it's called a "Rocket Mouse ").

My quandary is that I am not certain that I can use two pointing devices at the same time with my current setup. I have noted that there is a dual mouse Y connector available (for $50!), but it is for "serial" devices and my current trackball, which I want to retain and use concurrently with the additional mouse, is USB. Given that, the mouse that I want to add is available with either a USB or PS2 connector...

So: can I use the existing USB trackball concurrently with the second mouse as a USB device also? If not, will the PS2 connector work with the USB trackball without any "switching "?

 

So: can I use the existing USB trackball concurrently with the second mouse as a USB device also? If not, will the PS2 connector work with the USB trackball without any "switching "?

I do not know about two USB mice but I do have a 5 button Microsoft PS2 ScrollWheel mouse ( main one ) and a Logitech USB ScrollWheel Mouse and there are no Probelms.

Both are optical.

I use the PS2 all the time and my Wife uses the USB when we play Golf.

BTW. I used to have a Trakball as the main untill it would no longer track.

BillyBob

 

Hey BillyBob: Just curious. Do both mice run one cursor or does each one have it's own?

Martin

 

Do both mice run one cursor

Yes.

A word or too of caution with two mice.

My Wife and I need to be VERY CAREFULL when we play Golf. When I first got the two mice installed we were quite often causing each other to make BAD shots by just barely moving the mouse.

And I do have a Serial that I can plug into the other machine if needed. ( if I don't forget )

Ain't it just great that some of the ancient, oudated, supposedly useless stuff STILL comes in handy ?

Hey PeteC.

USB don't work in DOS

That is why my main mouse is PS2. I had them the opposite at first but changed them QUICKLY after the first boot woth both plugged in.

BillyBob

 

Thanks BillyBob, I'm not sure that I understood Pete's last post.

Martin

 

i can also verify that it works. running windows XP pro with a microsoft wireless optical mouse on PS/2. whenever the batteries on that mouse die or it falls off my desk into the black hole (pitfall of wireless mouse), i have a USB trackball that i plug into the front of the computer. they both share the same cursor, and i can use both at the same time if i wish (no reboot required)