Stupid Mouse

If you have bought yourself Apple's Mighty Mouse and one day found the scroll ball not scrolling down/up anymore. It may be due to gunk stuck underneath the scroll ball. Apple's suggestion on it's knowledge-base doesn't appear to work very well. The bit below is from a thread in Apple's discussion page about how to fix the no-scrolling problem:

Most often I find that any scroll ball or older mouse ball needs cleaning. Contrary to what I read in Mac help about using a bit of water, I think that is tempting disaster!

I use just a bit of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on a cue tip and gently rub the ball.

From high school chemistry, 'likes disolve likes.' Your finger tips send a bit of organic oil to the ball and it tends to clog it up...that's my theory anyways. Using an organic solvent like above will disolve and remove the 'scum.' Alcohol is organic and so is the oil from your fingers. Water is 'inorganic' and will not remove the scum. Yes, putting pressure on the ball, rotating it against felt, and all the others may remove the scum. But, it 'ain't' going to 'di-solve' the problem! And, if there is any water around it will absorb and remove that too.

So far I've never had an electronic (electrical) problem using this cleaning method.

And, because I have suffered the nearly 500 problems mentioned in the discussions, I find this a sure fire "solution.'

Just an ole chem teacher from way back!

Steve

So thanks "Ole chem teacher" Steve. Now I can stop posting and get back to work. :)