wigoweb Posted January 20, 2005 Posted January 20, 2005 I have a Mac G4 tower, dual processor, 500 Mhz with 768MB of installed RAM running under OS 10.3.6 This machine is about 4 years old. At least once a day, sometimes more frequently, the USB mouse and/or keyboard stop responding. I have the mouse plugged into one of the USB ports on the keyboard. I have changed both keyboards and mice several times. Currently, I have a Kensington keyboard and an Apple mouse. Sometimes the red light on the mouse goes out, sometimes it doesn't. Usually, I can restore the mouse to life by unplugging the mouse from the keyboard and replugging it back in. Other times, I unplug the keyboard from its USB port on the back of the tower, wait a few seconds and plug it back in. Sometimes I have to do this multiple times to bring it back to life. Occasionally, unplugging and replugging the USB cable won't work. So, I am forced to hit the reset button on the front of the tower. Once the computer reboots, the mouse and keyboard are both working okay again. This used to happen under OS 9.x and I was advised that OS 10.x had better USB drivers. Hence, the assumption was that switching to OS 10 would solve the problem. It does seem to happen less frequently with OS 10 than with OS 9, but I have no real data. I am wondering if it would help to replace the USB ports on the back of the tower. But since the reboot "fixes" the problem, I don't know that the hardware is really the issue. Someone also told me that this model has a bad history with USB. Here is the hardware profile: Hardware Overview: Machine Model: Power Mac G4 CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.9) Number Of CPUs: 2 CPU Speed: 500 MHz L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB Memory: 768 MB Bus Speed: 100 MHz Boot ROM Version: 4.1.8f5 Anyone with some Mac hardware experience who can suggest a fix? Quote
sigmadog Posted January 24, 2005 Posted January 24, 2005 I have a Mac G4 tower, dual processor, 500 Mhz with 768MB of installed RAM running under OS 10.3.6 This machine is about 4 years old. At least once a day, sometimes more frequently, the USB mouse and/or keyboard stop responding. I have the mouse plugged into one of the USB ports on the keyboard. I have changed both keyboards and mice several times. Currently, I have a Kensington keyboard and an Apple mouse. Sometimes the red light on the mouse goes out, sometimes it doesn't. Usually, I can restore the mouse to life by unplugging the mouse from the keyboard and replugging it back in. Other times, I unplug the keyboard from its USB port on the back of the tower, wait a few seconds and plug it back in. Sometimes I have to do this multiple times to bring it back to life. Occasionally, unplugging and replugging the USB cable won't work. So, I am forced to hit the reset button on the front of the tower. Once the computer reboots, the mouse and keyboard are both working okay again. This used to happen under OS 9.x and I was advised that OS 10.x had better USB drivers. Hence, the assumption was that switching to OS 10 would solve the problem. It does seem to happen less frequently with OS 10 than with OS 9, but I have no real data. I am wondering if it would help to replace the USB ports on the back of the tower. But since the reboot "fixes" the problem, I don't know that the hardware is really the issue. Someone also told me that this model has a bad history with USB. Here is the hardware profile: Hardware Overview: Machine Model: Power Mac G4 CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.9) Number Of CPUs: 2 CPU Speed: 500 MHz L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB Memory: 768 MB Bus Speed: 100 MHz Boot ROM Version: 4.1.8f5 Anyone with some Mac hardware experience who can suggest a fix? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Does the outage occur while you are using the mouse, or is it after the computer has been asleep? My reason for asking is that my previous computer, a Mac G4/450 had problems every once in a while with it's video connection after waking from sleep. The fix usually involved a shut-down, a 5-minute walk about, and a restart. Also, I've noticed that a static charge can kill the USB connection also. I've shocked myself once or twice on my Wacom pad and had to re-start. I've learned to touch grounded metal before sitting down at my desk. I'm no expert on this, however, just offering my initial thoughts. Quote
wigoweb Posted January 26, 2005 Author Posted January 26, 2005 This problem almost invariably occurs when I am sitting at the machine using the mouse and keyboard trying to get some work accomplished. I make a conscious effort to avoid static shocks; I don't think the problem stems from shocks, but who knows? I also use a Titanium G4 laptop with almost identical software, the same OS version and the same amount of RAM. Loss of the cursor, freezing of the mouse doesn't occur on that machine. Quote
sigmadog Posted February 1, 2005 Posted February 1, 2005 Yep, I'd probably be looking at the USB ports as well. You might try the Apple Discussion Forums (if you haven't yet) before doing anything drastic. Wish I could help more, but this is pretty far from the "using the CD tray as a coffee cup holder" type of help that I can handle. Quote
Nicholas Naime Posted February 6, 2005 Posted February 6, 2005 I also use a Titanium G4 laptop with almost identical software, the same OS version and the same amount of RAM. Loss of the cursor, freezing of the mouse doesn't occur on that machine. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As far as I know, the Ti PowerBook uses an ADB keyboard. Anyway, your problem is not software-related, I'm afraid. Has it always been like that, or did you notice this recently? Quote
wigoweb Posted February 7, 2005 Author Posted February 7, 2005 This freezing of the cursor, corrected by unplugging and replugging the USB cable or by restarting the G4 has been part of my life for at least three of the four years I have had this machine. I have had four different keyboards and three or four different mice. I tried both Mac and third party like Kensington. About three weeks ago I switched to a Microsoft wireless USB mouse that has its own battery power. I don't want to jinx myself, but the cursor has not frozen since. I have about decided that the USB ports don't have enough power to run the keyboard and the mouse. Quote
Nicholas Naime Posted February 8, 2005 Posted February 8, 2005 There are two USB ports on the Mac. Try using one for the keyboard, and the other one (with an extension cord) for the mouse. Quote
Rory Stokes Posted June 25, 2005 Posted June 25, 2005 I got a G4 & swapped for my PC with glee on thursday Now the usb mouse has got so lazy I changed every other cable (all the way the the electric mains) Its the definaely USB connection for the keyboard & mouse The infra red actually fades away to blank Please email me if you have a solution or even if you have the same problem If i Have to I'll upgrade.....but will that fix it????? Respect Rory Edited by TCH-David: Removed e-mail address to prevent harvesting by spambots. Quote
wayne Posted June 25, 2005 Posted June 25, 2005 Does the Apple hardware test cd that came with the computer test the USB plugs? Sounds to me like it is your usb ports. You can also run software update to get to 10.3.9 however it may be a waste of time as I still think it's your plugs if you have tried multiple mice and keyboards and you experience the same problem. Wayne Quote
Rory Stokes Posted July 9, 2005 Posted July 9, 2005 Thanks everyone for the welcome & thanks wayne for the advive The same thing happened again After a few hours use the mouse (or by default keyboard) just faded away & died My heart tells me its a keyboard / mouse problem My head tells me its a USB port problem I've just come back to mac (my first love - computerwise) My wife Sian got this G4 free from work, a graphic design co upgrading A keyboard & mouse swap is available....may that work? If not is there any options re the usb port (sombody in work suggested a wireless mouse) As a newbie to G4 can someone tell me what the 2 horizontal ports inbetween the broadband connection & the usb ports are for? If there are any UK members here may I say my thoughts are with you Love & Respect Rory Dublin Quote
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