OT: Need help with my trackball mouse!

[hankj]

Some of you hardware gurus gimme a hand here.

Got a Kensington Expert Mouse trackball. I love this thing, and I'll be lost if I have to go back to the slide-around mouse.

Problem: Can't figure out how to disassemble it to clean out the accumulcation of cat hair and other mung that has gotten into it. Seems to be just a snap together thing, but I don't want to break it by prying in the wrong spot. What happens is a hair gets onto the ball, and then the stupid hair slips on the rollers, so the arrow won't go where I want it to until I do some rapid ball spinning, which becomes a real PIA when you're trying to position the cursor to correct a spelling error!

Ideas?

Hank

[Thomas Harris]

Infrared mouse. Uses a cord, but has no moving parts. I've had mime for a long time and it's great! I remember those days of clearing the hairball outta the mouse.

[Pile Buck]

Infrared mouse. Uses a cord, but has no moving parts. I've had mime for a long time and it's great! I remember those days of clearing the hairball outta the mouse.

Just got one a few weeks ago on a warranty replacement, best tack ball mouse I’ve had, and I’ve been using them for over 10-years now

[Fishy Jim]

I have an MX1000 by logitech and it's more sensitive to cat hair than my old LED ones ever were. Great laser mouse, just has a little more maintenance involved.

[Pile Buck]

Hank if you don’t get an answer here by morning, send it up here to me! I guarantee I can get it open

[drizler]

Never had one of those but Logitec and Microsoft trackballs. Both had to come apart frequently to remove all sorts of stuff. My Mircosoft just pushes out through the finder size hole in the bottom. It might be a tad tight since its new but will loosen if thats the case. BTW Microsoft trackballs SUCK compared to logitic. Right out of the box they feel and handle like ****. Gotta love that track ball though. Best cure for carpal tunnel I know of followed by vitamin B-6. I won't go near mice again unless I have to. Those mice are the worst thing ever invented and I hate to think how many millions of people have ruined thier hands with them.

[243]

I've never used a track ball...but a year ago I bought Microsoft cordless keyboard and cordless laser mouse combo from Fry's, no way will I ever go back to a mouse with *****.

Oh, and the reason I bought this combo in the first place was guinea pig pee. My daughter thought it was cute to let the little furball play on my desk while she played on my computer.

[Zrexxer]

A quick look at Kensington's website didn't turn up an owner's manual, but it did say the product has a five year warranty with free technical support... maybe give them a toll free call at 800-535-4242 and see if they can talk you through it.

[usmcpop]

We have a Logitech MX 518 optical mouse, and the kid sets it up so sensitive that I can hardly use it. I can't imagine anything any faster. But it's nice not to have to clean out the boogers from a mechanical mouse. Never could stand a track ball.

[Terry Lingle]

I have both a logiteck cordless and a microsoft corded trackball . you do get used to either but the logiteck is nicer . I agree about mice being harder to use and harder on the arm Terry

[hankj]

Zrexxer,

Now that you mention it, they do have really excellent customer service. My trackball was two years old when I swapped computers, and it had a serial bus connection. The new computer didn't support a serial bus, and Kensigton sent me the adaptor no charge! Guess I oughtta call 'em.

Carl,

I have no doubt you can get it open. The question is, can I get it closed again?

As for you infrared guys, I'll be looking into that if this venture fails. I don't know if I could get used to the old style push-it-around mouse again.

Thanks, gang.

Hank

[Broccoli1]

I think the Expert Mouse ball just lifts out.

[enlpck]

There are infrared 'trackbal' type devices (no moving ball, no moving parts at all, just a dome yo slide your thumb or finger over) One of my kids uses one. Don't know the make or the price. I tried it and it is definately a different feel than a regular ball, but easier than the touchpads on a laptop.

[westval]

Hank!
Soak it in Diesel......works for rust!

[bfmaloney]

It looks like it should just pull straight out.

I have a Microsoft version and the ball often is difficult to pull out because of the oil from my fingers makes it tough to get a hold of.

Usually just turn it upside down and hit the bottom.

If that doesnt work the screws are usually hidden. I took apart mine and the screws were under the anti-skid rubber pads. Take it apart and it cleans up nice.

From my expierence with all versions of the mouse, the optical laser ones are the best for small movements.