Cry for help to Win98 graphics users now on Win2000XPME

BIG BIG PROBLEM …AM I DREAMING !

Do please read...Microsoft have messed me up bigtime, but what of
others ?

My mouse speed setting Win98 gave me as default, also used by others
and so important to my drawing ability is not possible under
Win2000-XP-ME without getting steppy cursor action. It is a Microsoft
introduced problem…but they haven’t a fix for it as yet
they say…and not sure if there will be one ….WHAT !!!!!

I have tested over 35 PC's now, a variety of makes and mice types, all
Win2000-XP are afflicted without exception, all Win98 Okay except one
! Tried updated drivers on those able to, also USB, nothing gained.


I need to know:
Have you also hit this problem ?
Have you solved it ?
Have you contacted anyone about it ?
How to use a slow mouse and a gelpad mat ?

Here’s the story !

I started my graphics PC life on Win95, puzzled why the mouse required
so much mat to move across screen. For what I have to do, I struggled
to draw across screen until someone showed me the motion slider in
properties, I never looked back ! I reset it to a mouse speed of
1.5inch (40mm) across mat does full screen width, top to bottom became
1inch (25mm)…great ! no more stroking the mouse mat !
Then with Win98, this speed came as default. So others must also be
happier now ! For graphics usage its essential to me and I have been
using this sensible natural speed for ten years now and others when on
Win95 shown this stay with it. I am able to do detailed precise
drawing and positioning, airbrushing all way across screen etc. Such
things as settings sliders in Photoshop are moveable in 1 unit
increments. I can select individual characters in 6pt text dead easy.
IMPORTANTLY I need to use a gel-pad mouse-mat now for wrist health
and this speed is ESSENTIAL else mouse hits pad and hand movement is
over-stretched. Use of a pen tablet is not possible with a gelpad,
the area mapped to screen for static wrist use is far too sensitive
and impossible to use. Move the wrist across pad and judder messes up
draw accuracy. Move wrist across plastic surface and same happens.
The Wacom pad mouse is inferior in comfort with sharp edges, and
unable to match smoothness of line of Microsoft mouse.

HOWEVER Microsoft have taken the motion speed I use away with
Win2000-XP-ME. This is fact and confirmed by them,…nice one Bill
!

As these come, their motion setting has 10 units, default setting is
the middle, but hell this is TERRIBLY SLOW, I am unable to draw
anymore, (try setting your motion slider 3 units slower to see how it
feels !). I run out of hand movement left to right and mouse hits pad
with only quarter travel down screen. Up the motion setting to 8of 10
and problem sorted, BUT cursor is now steppy and steerability is also
poor. Impossible to move it smoothly any more and USELESS for
drawing. Even Photoshop sliders can't be set as desired anymore, and
cursor keys don’t work with them. The higher the setting, the
worse the steppiness.

So how are others coping ? Microsoft acknowledge the problem but have
no fix for it as yet and more worrying is that they tell me they
don’t have reports from others about it, YET IT EXISTS ON ALL
MICROSOFT PCs WITH ALL MICE, AS IT IS OS BASED !

I am forced to put Win98 onto my new WinXP PC in order to carry on my
graphics ability, I go home and use Win98 for even more advanced
graphics. Continuity between mice for drawing ability is essential.
Win98 days are numbered so then what ?

Perhaps this nightmare I shall awake from ! Should I give up with
PC’s and go Mac…why should I, PC’s are valid for
graphics, no problems until now, graphics programs are intended for
PC, why lead us along this long road all these years then end it ?
Furthermore the work I do at home is PC, I cannot afford all new kit
and the work is for other PC users and involves programs that only run
on PC. At work I am part of a PC network and the Government mapping
database I run is vital and what might happen if I try to convert it.
Furthermore our IT support is PC ! I came across a Mac user and he
had set his mouse to my speed, its so sensible, so why oh why have
Microsoft done the dirty on us ?

At the very least could those also suffering contact Microsoft,
perhaps they have, perhaps it’s a big coverup ? Such a
fundamental problem as loss of mouse functionality seems unbelievable.

I cannot survive for long with Win98 as its not being written for now.

Desperate for a solution.

Steve

Have you seen the mouse from Gyration? I have been using it for almost a
year and love it. It can be used like a regular mouse or picked up and used
like a laser pointer.
The 'in air' use takes a little practice but it certainly relieves wrist
problems. As to going all the way across the screen, no problem. In fact, at
first it may seem a little too fast. Anyway, if your interested check it out
at www.gyration.com.
rsnowman