Microsoft Intellimice and Bluetooth Issues?

An anonymous reader asks: "I just bought a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth for my Mac OS X 2.2 box. Like typical Mac fashion, it was entirely plug and play, no software required. However, I go to pair the mouse with the adapter in Bluetooth prefs and it asks me for a pairing password! Others on XP SP1 using integrated/third party adapters other than the one provided by Microsoft also report the same pairing password (on a side note, the MS adapter doesn't even pair with most Palms or Cellphones, what kind of standards following is that?). I called MS tech support and they gave me a weak 'It doesn't work on the Mac.' reply. So, has anyone managed to get this mouse to work on OS X, Linux, or XP (SP1 with a third party adapter)? Perhaps a cracked security password?"

Comments

Re:Geez, a MS mouse works only on windows.

[Apreche]

I have a cordless logitech mouse and keyboard. The Elite Duo one. It rocks. And as for cross-platform support the mouse and keyboard work on my linux/2k system in both os's and I know someone who has it working on a mac.
On mac or windows you get the added functionality of all the extra buttons because of the itouch software. logitech hasn't written itouch software for linux, but the rest of the keyboard still works fine. In general I have found Microsoft's mice to have crappier buttons, cheaper plastic, a sort of "light" feeling. Logitech mice seem to be much more comfortable, durable, heavy, and the buttons aren't cheap, and they cost less.

Re:Geez, a MS mouse works only on windows.

[nesthigh]

You may want to try these patches for your keyboard. If you like using console much, this kernel patch is pretty cool. You may need to play with the keycodes a bit, but either will work, and you won't need to wait for Logitech to write itouch software.

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Re:Geez, a MS mouse works only on windows.

[ASCIIMan]

Windows 95 supported USB in OSR2 and later releases.