Mouse not working properly

When I left click on an icon, drop down menu item or button nothing happens. In order to open or activate anything I need to right click and click on open. I have changed mice and still get the same result. How do I get my mouse to behave properly?

 

Have you tried
Control Panel -> Mouse -> Buttons -> Switch Primary and Secondary buttons

 

Yes, didn't work, just reversed problem

 

It doesn't work when you double click?

To open with a single click go to My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>General tab and select single click to open an item.

 

Yes, didn't work, just reversed problem

 

It won't open email either way. If I click, single or double, nothing happens. I have to right click and click on "open" in the drop down

 

Crazy question, but did you try another mouse?

 

Tried another mouse with the same result

 

Perhaps it's a problem with the port it's plugged into. Have you tried plugging it in to a different one?

 

On the the buttons tab (while in the control panel icon for mouse) have you tried setting the "buttons click speed "? Many people make the mistake of thinking that if they set this to "fast" or slide the slider more to the right on the fast side that this will increase the mouse double click sensitivity (allow you to double click faster and have it detected as a double click). The opposite is true. For faster double click you need to set it to "slow" (or move the slider more to the left). This always seemed odd to me and I can see how it would catch someone else un-aware. Use the "test" foler (to the right of the option setting) to check the result. What happens when you double click on it?

Another thing to try is a regpatch for folder and file association. It may be that the default or bolded action "open " has been removed and no default action is being taken.
http://www.dougknox.com/:
"folder association "

Be back in a minute...

Aw.., forget the above "association" scenario for now. We could be guessing from till sundown. What kind of mouse are you using (plain vanilla windows mouse or something fancier with it's own software and settings tools [usb, wireless, serial...etc])? When you single left click on something, do you get a menu or does the icon "highlight "? Is this action constant or after a hibernation or sleep state? Does a reboot restore the default desired action? Been making any customization/setting or option changes or have any gut feeling on what may have caused this? Anything mouse related in the systray? Tried any security tips that may have disabled or crippled the mouse left click action? Is this something new, if so going back to a recent restore point may clear it up? <-suggest this only if your OS does not have a history of being fussy when it comes to "System Restore and your sure that restore points are not also viral/malware/adware retentive "

 

Tried it all. I'm using a Logitech wireless mouse but it still happens when I switch to a regular mouse.

To clarify, I can left-click and open icons like desktop icons but not things like Outlook messages. I have to right-click and use the drop down.

 

is the base unit for the wireless mouse connected to the PC via USB or does it go to the PS2 port, pls?

==

edit:
sorry, disregard the USB/PS2 thing above!

if the left button works to open desktop icons OK but doesn't work in Outlook and certain other software, getting an idea of the software it works for - and more particularly the software it doesn't work for - might be useful

best wishes, HJ

 

From a start->run line, sfc /scannow and OK.

After that finishes, from a start->run line, cmd and OK. Then from the command prompt, chkdsk /f and ENTER. Answer Yes to doing the deed at next reboot then reboot.

 

Okay, did that but it still doesn't open emails with a left click on Outlook. Seems to work okay on other buttons.

 

Because it affects outlook, but not desktop icons I would say it is not a mouse issue, but a security setting in outlook.

 

Hi Fauxqui,
Are you giving us all the details? Any errors or popup "open with" dialogue boxes? I'm finding it a little hard to get a hold or or follow along on exactly what your problem is. All the details count here. First your post seems to indictate that you can not leftclick on any 1]icon, or 2]dropdown menu or 3]button, the left click did nothing.

Now it is only emails. Each suggestion was answered with a negative or "didn't work" response, in between your original post and the only "effects Outlook emails links" post. What happened in between? Again are there errors or popup dialogue boxes that come with this problem. Am I the only one who is finding this description is still cloudy, inconsistant or hard to get a firm grasp on,

?