Usual reason for this happening with a wireless mouse/keyboard is some
interference from things like mobile phones, DECT phones, other
wireless mice operating in range of the receiver ( had this when my
partner and myself used wireless mice but it only happened when the
two receivers were closer than about 5 ft and/or had direct line of
sight to each other - I use a wired track ball now and prefer it ).
Problem is that once the mouse/keyboard buffers are flooded with
random signals this can freeze the routines serving them so plugging
in any other device is of no use.

Try moving the receiver closer to the keyboard/mouse as this will mean
that the proper signals are likely to be stronger than any external
ones.

BTW - once came across this problem when the culprit turned out to be
a flourescent desk lamp that was radiating electrical noise. Took a
bit of tracking down that one

Even though the keyboard may be unresponsive the RSEIUB procedure to
safely reboot an apparently locked up Linux system usually works but
you may need to plug in a USB keyboard to do it ( may need to unplug
a wireless receiver to prevent it confusing the key presses but the
RSEIUB procedure doesn't use the usual keyboard routines so if these
are locked up it should still work ). The procedure will save any open
files but it's still a good idea to get into the habit of saving work
often .

Hold down [ALT] + [SYSRQ] and keep them held down throughout until the
system begins the reboot at the end. Then press the following keys in
turn, pausing between each one to let HD activity subside or any
screen messages to finish - 10 to 20 seconds should be enough if you
don't seem to have any activity. ( BTW - you will need both hands to
do this ! )

R
S
E
I
U
B

There's a mnemonic to help remember the order: Raising Skinny
Elephants Is Utterly Boring.

Perhaps the order doesn't matter all that much, because I've always used REISUB
and it works. I think that's the usual advice, too.



And there's a much better mnemonic, because it's simply BUSIER in reverse.

But my keyboard isnt wireless and I tried a wired mouse.
Neither work.

Ok so it's only the mouse that's wireless but once the routines that
service the mouse/keyboard lock up then plugging in another mouse
isn't going to be detected.

The root problem is what's interfering with the wireless side of
things and this can be any number of causes as mentioned. Even
something as stupid as a taxi driving past that's got a badly set up
transmitter.

Question: Has there been any new mobile phone masts set up nearby ?

Like all random events it can take some time and lateral thinking to
pinpoint the cause ! Meanwhile, try positioning the mouse receiver
nearer the mouse itself if you can. If it's one of those nano-USB type
of receivers your options are limited but running a USB extension to
get it nearer would work.

Another thought is to keep the wired mouse in after reboot, to see if it
is indeed the wireless mouse causing the lock up.

No new antennas around.
Receiver is about 6" away. It sits right in front of
the mouse under a shelf.

So... when I turn on the computer, the mouse works
fine. I can leave it sitting there fifteen minutes without
any problem. But after I click my username and put
in my password, that is when I loose control.

Ive unplugged my wireless receiver and tested it out
on this laptop that Im on. I have several computers in
my office, each with a wireless mouse. I have a wired
mouse on my computer and Ill use this wireless mouse
on this laptop for a while to see if there are any issues.

What would I look under in syslog to see if there were
any mouse errors?

I have my wired mouse in the computer.
I started the computer, logged in and let
it sit a bit. For about eight minutes or so
it seemed to work fine. I opened a browser
to go to a page I use for workouts. It worked
ok for 3min and then when I went to click
pause on the video, the mouse would move
but you couldnt click on anything. Just to be
sure, I opened up this mouse to make sure
it was clean on the inside and working fine.
The mouse cursor turns to a line and after
about eight clicks finally turned to a arrow
to click Pause but, it was back and forth
the whole time from line to arrow.

Oh, no new phones. I use 900mhz phones.

Those symptoms suggest video lock-up and it may be that old chestnut
of overheating. Worth checking the cooling inside the system and in
particular the graphics card fan if this is a separate card.

I run a Shuttle Xpc and it runs pretty cool.
It does this without watching video though.

Ok. So, I unplugged the receiver from the computer
and had it on my laptop and Ive had no problems.
But, the receiver is a half hocky puck looking logitech.
You said something about interference and it got me
to thinking. On my laptop I also have a logitech mouse
but, its a small thumbdrive looking receiver. Im wondering
about some type of conflict there.

Right now, after having the computer off most of the day,
I have a wired mouse on the computer and Im not having
any issues. (fingers crossed).

Maybe the two were interfering.

Not linux,but had problem with 2 cord-less logitech keyboard/mouse ,a 260
and a 3// One I found might work with a white mouse pad and the other???? I was
told to return to the store. I found an earlier model at a GS and that worked
ok- So,Logitech must have an answer?

Does sound like interference was the problem and exactly what happened
here when two wireless mice were operated relatively close. Some mice
have switches to alter the frequency band or sometimes it's a special
combination of button clicks to do it ( check the manual ! )so worth
looking into. We tried all sorts of things to eliminate the problem,
including the different frequency switch on mine and placing a metal
barrier in line-of-sight between receivers, but nothing worked 100%.
Symptom we had was moving mouse A prevented clicks on mouse B, though
the pointer could still be moved - and vice-versa !! I now use a wired
track ball and prefer it so my partner can use her wireless mouse now
without it suddenly being unable to click on anything.

My wireless mouse(logitech) will move the pointer but buttons fail when
the mouse batteries are weak.

I have two receivers plugged into my computer at all times. Both mice as
well as the touch pad will all work at the same time.

To answer why two mice? I keep one in the car so I don't forget a mouse
when I head to town for WiFi.

I can and do disconnect a receiver when I need a port but don't have any
problem hot plugging them at will. For the record I use 12.04.