Hi guys. After several attempts, I’ve finally managed to resolve the wireless mouse issue on Mac OS 9. It’s not 100% perfect, but it works reliably.
From what I’ve discovered, even though newer wireless mouse receivers appear to be recognized correctly in System Profiler when plugged into a USB port, a closer look using USB debugger shows they are not actually being recognized properly.
The conclusion I reached, you need to “Refresh” or “Probe” your USB devices.
Inside Apple’s final release of the Mac OS USB DDK (version 1.5.9), there’s an app called USB Prober. This app is what will make your mouse function properly.
Requirements:
You’ll need a wired mouse at first, since you need to be able to click on things. Also, the wireless mouse USB receiver must be plugged into the USB port.
Steps:
1. Place USB Prober inside the Startup Items folder within your System Folder.
2. Launch USB Prober.
3. Close any windows that pop up. Then go to the top Apple menu bar, click Windows > USB Bus Probe, and open the window titled USB Bus Devices.
4. At this point, your wireless mouse should start working properly. However...
5. Important: Never close the USB Bus Devices window manually. You must exit USB Prober using File > Quit from the Apple menu bar.
Why this is necessary is...
If you close the USB Bus Devices window and later reboot, USB Prober will launch again but the USB Bus Devices window won’t open automatically. This specific window is critical because it’s what triggers USB devices to be probed.
After startup or reboot, once USB Prober runs and the USB Bus Devices window appears, you should manually exit using File > Quit. (Do not close the window directly.)
*** By the way, I think it would be good to write an AppleScript that automatically quits the USB Prober app after booting, but I'm not sure if that's even possible, and I'm unfamiliar with this area.
It also works well with USB Overdrive. I’ve set it up to use right-click and reversed scrolling direction, just like in the current version of macOS.
I've also attached the 'USB Prober' app.
From what I’ve discovered, even though newer wireless mouse receivers appear to be recognized correctly in System Profiler when plugged into a USB port, a closer look using USB debugger shows they are not actually being recognized properly.
The conclusion I reached, you need to “Refresh” or “Probe” your USB devices.
Inside Apple’s final release of the Mac OS USB DDK (version 1.5.9), there’s an app called USB Prober. This app is what will make your mouse function properly.
Requirements:
You’ll need a wired mouse at first, since you need to be able to click on things. Also, the wireless mouse USB receiver must be plugged into the USB port.
Steps:
1. Place USB Prober inside the Startup Items folder within your System Folder.
2. Launch USB Prober.
3. Close any windows that pop up. Then go to the top Apple menu bar, click Windows > USB Bus Probe, and open the window titled USB Bus Devices.
4. At this point, your wireless mouse should start working properly. However...
5. Important: Never close the USB Bus Devices window manually. You must exit USB Prober using File > Quit from the Apple menu bar.
Why this is necessary is...
If you close the USB Bus Devices window and later reboot, USB Prober will launch again but the USB Bus Devices window won’t open automatically. This specific window is critical because it’s what triggers USB devices to be probed.
After startup or reboot, once USB Prober runs and the USB Bus Devices window appears, you should manually exit using File > Quit. (Do not close the window directly.)
*** By the way, I think it would be good to write an AppleScript that automatically quits the USB Prober app after booting, but I'm not sure if that's even possible, and I'm unfamiliar with this area.
It also works well with USB Overdrive. I’ve set it up to use right-click and reversed scrolling direction, just like in the current version of macOS.
I've also attached the 'USB Prober' app.
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