Mouse problem

Hi there! First post here, I'm looking for an answer to my peculiar problem.

One day my mouse (USB mouse plugged in the mouse port through connector) stopped functioning. The red light was out and there was no response. I plugged it in the USB port and it started working again. However, after a while it stops working again and I get the message "USB device not recognized" (translated from dutch, might be something different in english). If I plug out and replugin the mouse it works again for a while, before stopping again.

I was guessing this was spyware or a virus, but I can't seem to fix it by running my scanners. Anyone who's got an idea on what to try?

Windows XP SP2 with a microsoft optical mouse

 

Welcome to MG.
First, have you tried plugging the mouse into any other USB port?
Second. Have you borrowed another mouse, and tried that?
Third. Have you tried your mouse on another PC?
Fourth. Does rebooting the PC in between plugging and unplugging your mouse make any difference? I know USB is Plug-n-pray but a reboot sometimes does wonders. Bazza

PS: Don't worry about your Dutch to English. It is a hell of a lot better than my English to Dutch. Baz
===