don't forget...also your credit or debit card number too.

Nope, neither of the above. it's all a part of the service of my internet provider.

running the scan in start up mode did give me the option of deleting the virus! so it's gone, and my wallet is intact!

they won't help me with any other software program issues that aren't their own, but because this was a result of their own scan, it was totally free.

~~~

now who knows how to clean mouse balls?

I think they lick their own balls, like dogs do. No cleaning needed!

haha.. that reply deserves kudos...

seriously though, no optical mouse for your laptop? do they even make usb 'balled' mouses anymore, if at all? .. and before I get a similar reply as the one I kudo.. yes, 'balled' mouse.. as opposed to 'balless' mouse, otherwise known as optical.. haha

I guess an alterative would be, this is a laptop that has a serial port for its mouse... which.. would be... strange.

I've seen adapter pieces for USB to serial.. but I don't recall ever seeing a serial to usb..

she is playing a word game..she either uses the touchpad or optical/laser mouse.

It is generally not the ball that is dirty. The two contact rods on either side of the sockt the ball sits in, that is where the gunk builds up. A pair of tweezers should do it just fine.

thanks. i'm not even sure it's dirty. the computer was only bought at christmas for the kids. it just doesn't glide smooth on the pad and is rather 'choppy'.

i suppose that one is still under warranty and i can always just replace it if there is something wrong, rather than buying new components.

An optical mouse never gets gunky, but it can be more particular about the surface it is used on.... a standard mouse pad works fine, but anythign reflective can cause it to get a little wacky. But, since I have 3 kids of my own, it's saved me numerous mouse cleanings from kids leaving all kinds of gunk on the mouse pad.

forget about optical mice. Get a laser mouse. There is a huge difference.