Wireless mouse and keyboard

[DonKiddick]

Can I use an optical mouse with my 5 yr old computer which is running Windows 98 SE? The computer itself is working fine but I keep having to clean the gunge off my mouse ball. Also, is there any advantage in getting a matching wireless keyboard (nothing wrong with the original other than it's a bit grimy). The computer has a couple of USB 1 ports and one of these is permanently committed to a digital camera lead. Anything else that I need to know?

[BillyNoMates]

If it has a spare USB port that should be fine. It doesn't matter if it's USB 1.0 - the fact that you have Win98 SE and currently use USB means you will have no problems.

Most Cordless mice/keyboards are driven by a USB attatched transmitter although some come with a PS2 converter too. Logitech is my preferred make.

[Kerplunk]

Buy the best that you can afford to save on problems getting it to work (and stay working). As BillNoMates suggests Logitech are one of the best makes, I can also recommend Microsoft and Creative.

[fo3nix]

the best wireless mouse available (imho): logitech mx1000:

http://scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID= 145743

buy from there if you choose to, its almost half the price people like dixons have it for on the highstreet.

[qapmoc]

And be carefull with it, optical mice really don't like being dropped off the table onto the floor. It must upset the laser diode aligment or something because I have had two in six months which expired from this. They didn't actually die but became very unreliable and jittery.