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Mouse Features and Settings in Windows 98, ME, and Windows XP

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This information applies to HP and Compaq Desktop PCs with Windows 98, ME, and Windows XP.
This document explains how to use and set mouse features within the Windows environment.
Using the mouse
The mouse is a handheld device used to work within the Windows environment. Following are the basic mouse functions:
  • Point to and select objects on the screen.
  • Select and move data or files by dragging and dropping.
  • Run programs and shortcuts, or open files.
  • Scroll program windows or Web pages by clicking and holding a scroll bar or with the mouse wheel (third button wheel on some mouse models).
Mouse pointer
The mouse pointer is the graphic image of the cursor displayed on the screen when the mouse is active. As the pointer moves over different objects, the image changes to reflect the associated function. For example, the standard pointing image isNormal Select. However, when the computer is processing a command, Busy displays on the screen. See Changing the mouse pointers for steps to customize mouse pointer images.
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Mouse clicks
Following are the types of mouse clicks possible in the Windows environment:
  • Click - One press on the left mouse button; selects data and performs commands.
  • Double-click - Two rapid presses on the left mouse button; opens files or folders, opens shortcuts (a double-click must be two clicks in rapid succession or it may be interpreted as two single clicks). See Adjusting the Double-click speed for steps to adjust the Double-click speed.
  • Right-click - One press on the right mouse button (also know as alternate clicking ); displays shortcut menus and drop-down menus. In some applications right-clicking a menu item can access feature information or help specific to the menu item.
  • Drag-and-drop - Press and hold on the left mouse button. Using the drag-and-drop feature, files or folders can be moved:
    • From one folder to another
    • To the desktop
    • From the desktop to a folder
    • From any place to the Recycle Bin
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Mouse wheel
The mouse wheel provides scrolling and panning functions in applications with active scroll bars. Roll the mouse wheel up or down to scroll, or start panning by pressing the mouse wheel.
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Customizing mouse functions
The mouse buttons can be customized and adjusted in the Windows environment. This section describes how to:
  • Change the mouse pointer image
  • Change the mouse pointer speed
  • Adjust the mouse for left or right hand use
  • Adjust the mouse double-click speed
  • Customize mouse wheel functions
Changing the mouse pointers
To change the mouse pointer (cursor) image:
  1. Click Start , Control Panel , select Printers and Other Hardware .
    In a classic view:
    Click Start , click Settings , and then click Control Panel . The Control Panel window opens.
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon.
  3. Click the Pointers tab in the Mouse Properties window.
    Figure 1: Mouse Properties - Pointers
    Mouse Properties - Pointers
  4. Click the pointer function to select it and click Browse to select a new pointer image.
    To change the entire scheme of pointers, click the down arrow in the Scheme field and select a new pointer scheme from the list.
  5. Click Apply and click OK.
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Changing the mouse pointer speed
Use the following steps to change the mouse pointer speed:
  1. Click Start , Control Panel , and select Printers and Other Hardware .
    In a classic view:
    Click Start , click Settings , and click Control Panel .
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window
  3. Click the Pointer Options tab (Motion in Windows 95 and 98) in the Mouse Properties window.
    Figure 2: Mouse Properties - Pointer Options
    Mouse Properties - Pointer Options
  4. In the Motion field (Pointer Speed field in Windows 95 and 98) , click and hold the slide bar , while moving the mouse to the right or left, to adjust the mouse speed.
  5. Click Apply and click OK .
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Adjusting the mouse for right or left hand use
Use the following steps to adjust the mouse for right or left hand use:
  1. Click Start , Control Panel , and select Printers and Other Hardware .
    In a classic view:
    Click Start , click Settings , and click Control Panel .
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window.
  3. Click the Buttons tab in the Mouse Properties window.
    Figure 3: Mouse Properties - Buttons
    Mouse Properties - Buttons
  4. In the Button Configuration field, select Switch primary and secondary buttons to switch to left hand use.
    NOTE: For Windows 95 and 98, select Right-handed or Left-handed.
    Figure 4: Mouse set for left hand use
    Mouse set for left hand use
    NOTE: If Switch primary and secondary buttons is already selected, clear the check box to return to right hand use.
Adjusting the mouse for right or left hand use in Windows Me
Use the following steps to adjust the mouse for right or left hand use in Windows Me:
  1. Click Start , Settings , and Control Panel .
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window.
  3. Click the Buttons tab in the Mouse Properties window.
    Figure 5: Windows Me Mouse Properties - Buttons
    Windows Me Mouse Properties - Buttons
  4. Select Right-handed or Left-handed .
  5. Click Apply and click OK .
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Adjusting the Double-click speed
Use the following steps to adjust the mouse Double-click speed:
  1. Click Start , Control Panel , select Printers and Other Hardware .
    In a classic view:
    Click Start , click Settings , and click Control Panel .
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window.
  3. Click the Buttons tab in the Mouse Properties window.
  4. In the Double-click speed field, click and hold the slide bar , while moving the mouse to the right or left, to adjust the Double-click speed. Test the adjusted speed by double-clicking the folder to the right of the Double-click speed field, the opening or closing of the folder indicates the current double-click speed.
    Figure 6: Double-click speed field
    Double-click speed field
Adjusting the Double-click speed in Windows Me
Use the following steps to adjust the Double-click speed in Windows Me:
  1. Click Start , Settings , and Control Panel .
  2. Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window.
  3. Click the Buttons tab in the Mouse Properties window.
  4. In the Double-click speed field, click and hold the slide bar , while moving the mouse to the right or left, to adjust the Double-click speed. Test the adjusted speed by double-clicking the jack-in-the-box to the right of the Double-click speed field, the speed of the animation indicates the current double-click speed.
    Figure 7: Windows Me Double-click speed field
    Windows Me Double-click speed field
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