Welcome to Just Ask Matt! - The IT industry’s answer to the help column, only slightly more medicated. Today, Ron writes:

Matt, I have tried to get this new wireless optical mouse to work on my PC, but nothing seems to work. I am using Windows 98 Second Edition and I want to connect with USB for the mouse. When I set it all up, I cannot make anything work because I am only using the new wireless mouse, which needs the software to be installed. Problem is that I need to have a mouse to use the software. Can you help?

This is a common thing that happens to many people. Don’t let it frustrate you as there is a simple solution. First, with your PC off, plug the old PS/2 mouse into the mouse port. Then, with the new mouse unplugged from the USB, turn on the PC. Insert the CD with the drivers, install the program, and follow the instructions. It will most likely prompt you when to plug in the USB mouse. If no such prompt ever comes, plug in the USB plug anyway and use the device manager to search for the drivers manually off of the CD.

The point is that you are not going to have an issue by having both mice plugged in at the same time. Once the wireless mouse works, turn off the PC and remove the old PS/2 mouse. See, that is not so bad. Just takes a little extra work.

Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line and you, too, can “Just Ask Matt!”