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                              The Repair Culture

I was using my computers when all of a sudden, I couldn't select anything
with the mouse. My intial reaction was well, there goes the other PS/2-to-USB
converter [1], but some subsequent experiments proved to me that wasn't the
case—I could still move the mouse pointer, and the middle and right mouse
buttons worked. It was just the left mouse button that no longer functioned.

I have a Logitech Trackman Marble from the 90s (it's not the same as what is
being sold today as the Trackman Marble [2]), and it's the second such unit
I've used. The first one wore out and I had to go to Ebay [3] to find a
replacement a few years ago, I liked it that much. The thought that I would
have to go through that trouble yet again filled me with dread.

[While the goove is in the heart, it makes for a lousy mousing experience]
[4] [5] [It's a red button. Of course you are going to push it!] [6] [7] In
the meantime, I couldn't effectively use my computers. As Bunny and I were
scambling to find a replacement mouse at Chez Boca, I decided to crack open
the Trackman and see what might be the issue. It was easy enough to open,
remove four screws and the innards were exposed. My initial thought was that
the left mouse button (which gets the most use) had worn out. It was, but not
in the way I expected. There's a portion of the button you press that
activates the switch below it. It's a small vertical piece of plastic that
pushes down on the horizontally oriented switch. And in that small vertical
piece a groove had formed over the years of use.

After discussing the problem with Bunny, the solution we came up with was to
use a small amount of Elmer's Glue [8] (applied with a toothpick) to fill in
the groove that had formed.

I want to report that the solution worked wonderfully! The Elmer's Glue
hardened enough to make the left button work and if it ever wears out, I know
how to fix it.

[1] gopher://gopher.conman.org/0Phlog:2019/02/28.1
[2] https://www.amazon.com/s?k=logitech+trackman+marble+mouse&hvadid=33778229432&hvbmt=e&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=geminipcstand-20&ref=pd_sl_bvwuub8bb_e
[3] https://www.ebay.com/
[4] gopher://gopher.conman.org/IPhlog:2019/03/14/thumb-mouse-button.jpg
[5] gopher://gopher.conman.org/IPhlog:2019/03/14/mouse-button.jpg
[6] gopher://gopher.conman.org/IPhlog:2019/03/14/thumb-switch.jpg
[7] gopher://gopher.conman.org/IPhlog:2019/03/14/switch.jpg
[8] http://elmers.com/product/detail/glue-all

Email author at [email protected]

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