I assume you're trying a mouse with the round plug on the end.  
Generally, the computer must be off when you plug the mouse in, it will 
not detect it once it has started up.  You can also try a usb mouse, if 
the pc has usb ports.    They generally will work if plugged in with 
power off or on.  Is the keyboard working?  The round plugs are the same 
for keyboard and mouse, any chance they got switched?
Paul Hachmeyer

Betty House wrote:

> I am visiting my mom who is in a retirement center.  She has a Compaq 
> which is running ME.  Unfortunately she is suffering from Alzheimer's 
> and cannot tell me what has transpired with her computer.  The mouse 
> she had attached does not work, I purchased three new mice and 
> installed them - the computer does not recognize them.  Tried a hands 
> free as well as corded.  She has family tree information on this 
> system that no one else has.  Is there a way of using key board 
> commands to access the hard drive?  I am going to be here for another 
> day or so, and could access it.  She won't let me take the hard drive 
> out of the apartment and the management won't help me slip it out as 
> they say she gets so upset whenever anyone tells her the system isn't 
> working.  They have tried.  At some point she transferred all the 
> disks of information onto this system and then heaven only knows what 
> happend to the disks as she would not let me have them - or copy 
> them.  Any help would be of assistance.  Thanks much -Betty
>  


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