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Enabling A ThinkPad's External Mouse

If your ThinkPad's external mouse doesn't appear to be working then first do a simple test by plugging the mouse into another machine to check its operation. If it's a wireless mouse try fitting some fresh batteries.

Once you've verified the mouse itself is OK then it's time to check your ThinkPad system settings.

ThinkPad PS2 Port If your ThinkPad has a PS/2 type port (see image right) then you can connect just a mouse directly to this port, if you want to have both an external mouse and keyboard you'll need a Y cable(search for Part No. p/n 54G0441 on the Lenovo support site ) to connect both simultaneously.

Note: The following ThinkPad systems don't have PS/2 ports, if you need to install an external mouse on these models then it will have to be a USB plug type:
  • A30/p, A31/p
  • R30, R31, R32, R40, R40e, R50, R50e, R50p, R51, R51e, R52, R60, R60e, R61
  • T30, T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p, T43, T43p, T60, T60p, T61
  • X20, X21, X22, X23, X24, X30, X31, X32, X40, X41, X41 Tablet, X60, X60s, X60 Tablet, X61, X61s, X61 Tablet
  • Z60m, Z60t, Z61e, Z61m, Z61p, Z61t
  • TransNote
For ThinkPad systems A, G, R, T, and X series, you will need to check that the internal TrackPoint or Ultra Nav is set to Automatic or AutoDisable, this is done through the BIOS. Once set, this will allow the system to automatically disable the TrackPoint or Ultra Nav if your ThinkPad's external mouse is plugged in before start up.

During start up look in the lower left corner of the screen, if it says 'Press F1 for BIOS Set Up Utility' hit F1. If it says 'To interrupt normal startup, press the blue Access IBM button', press the blue Access IBM button.

Double click 'start Set Up utility' if it appears or in some machines you might need to click 'Continue' at the Rescue and Recovery screen, then click Access Bios then Yes. You will then see the Bios Utility setup menu, if prompted for a password type it in.

Choose Config and then click Keyboard/Mouse. The TrackPoint and Ultra Nav touch pad setting should be set to Automatic or AutoDisable, if it's not change it. Follow the steps below to check the setting in the ThinkPad Configuration Utility;

a) Click Start > Programs and find either ThinkPad, Access IBM or ThinkVantage.
- If you see ThinkPad in the list select it then ThinkPad utilities, then ThinkPad Configuration.
- If you see Access IBM select it then ThinkPad Configuration.
- If you see ThinkVantage select it then ThinkPad Configuration.


b) Click either the UltraNav or TrackPoint icon (see images below).
ThinkPad Touchpad Icon ThinkPad Trackpoint Icon
c) Make sure they are set to either AutoDisable or Automatic.

d) To verify the setting for the TrackPoint or UltraNav, click Mouse Properties and then either the TrackPoint or UltraNav tab.

Finally be sure to have the latest drivers installed for the ThinkPad's external mouse.



Click here to leave our ThinkPad external mouse page and go back to our Lenovo guides page.

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