Wireless mouse drains battery in one day

[xwb]

I have 2 computers with the same type of wireless mouse. One lasts about 9 months before I need to change the battery. The other lasts about a day and drains the battery overnight. Any idea why the battery drains in 1 day?

Is it a manufacturing fault or some comms problems where the mouse is trying very hard to access a transmitter or something else?

 

[wahnula]

Just guessing but there must be an internal "timeout" in wireless mice that can sense inactivity and go to low-power mode. Could be a defective mouse. Have you tried removing environment from the equation by swapping mouse locations? If it occurs where another identical mouse works fine then it has to be the mouse.

I would first try just the mouse, then the mouse and receiver combo. It's a long shot, but there may be some strong RF in one location that keeps the mouse alive. If the 9-month mouse dies overnight that may be the case, if it's your home you might think about moving

Tony

 

[xwb]

Thanks - guess it is a defective mouse. My son just told me his mouse does the same thing: dies within a day. Seems like there are a lot of these defective mice around.

 

[wahnula]

What's the brand and model? I would still swap the bad one for the good one just to see what happens.

Tony

 

[xwb]

Mine is a Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000, model 1052. May be past the warranty as I've had it for more than 3 months.

My son's is something that came with one of the Targus backpacks. It was something that he got during a sale and the shop no longer sells it so we can't even get a replacement.

 

[wahnula]

The Microsoft is definitely still under warranty, one year is standard, although MS's website

http://support.microsoft.com/search/?spid=10000&adv=

makes no mention of that. I would pursue this one, you might need to jump through some hoops. You can also try the store where you bought it, maybe get an RMA, take them up on it.

I'll bet the Targus uses a rechargeable battery and that battery has passed its useful life. Rather than recharge it simply replace it (unless you've already been there). Just because the shop no longer sells it does not mean you can't get a replacement...there is a one-year warranty...try the Targus website. They are a responsible company and should stand behind their products.

Nothing upsets me like tech that does not fulfill its basic purpose. If you made a wrong selection, live with it, but if the dang thing doesn't work, you are entitled to a replacement, exchange or refund. Sometime you need to put up a (very) little fight, but I'm usually amazed how easy it is. If not go to

http://www.freecycle.org

before throwing them away, maybe someone can fix & use them.

Best of luck.

Tony

 

[kmcferrin]

I don't know what model he has, but the Targus wireless mouse that I have for my laptop is the rechargeable sort. You can plug it into a USB port and it will charge from there. I find that the battery on it tends to last quite a while, especially if I turn it off when I put it away. I don't use it all of the time, but I've only had to charge it maybe once a month. If the laptop were my primary machine I would have to charge it more often, no doubt, but it does seem to last several times as long as my laptop battery.

 

[cjelec]

Since you brought the mouse, can you remember how often you put the mouse on charge. Do you use the mouse for 10min then put it on charge...

If so, this can course the battery not to charge properly, it will cap the electric storage capacity (in other words) air-lock it. I have known the effects of this to happen with 1-2 weeks of buying the device.

You maybe able to (even if this is not how you have used it) extend the battery life by, discharging the battery right out (until it dies). Then give it a full charge (this length of time is usually stated in the instruction manual), and use it until it dies again. Repeat this process 3 or 4 times.

Hope this helps

 

[xwb]

Problem on the MS mouse is fixed but the Targus mouse runs down any sort of battery: rechargable or otherwise. It is out of warranty anyway.