2005 Mighty Mouse still going after chasing gunk build up out of it

[edubfromktown]

I've been using a 1st gen USB-A wired Mighty Mouse that came with my Apple refurb 24" iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.16 on and off since 2005. Most recently due to my previous M1 Mini and current Studio Base Max failing to sleep reliably with a BT mouse connected.

Also works great with an IO Gear (GUS4C2) dual USB-C keyboard/peripheral switch (1x USB-C, 3x USB-A + PD) that I use to hop between Mac Studio Base Max and M3 Pro 14" MBP.

I thought it had finally died as the ball would no longer scroll up or down. After researching a bit I found that putting the top side face down on a sheet of paper and vigorously rolling in a circle got scrolling UP working again. I added a few drops of eyeglass lens cleaner to the ball and repeated the same rotational process which cured scrolling DOWN too.

 

[Juicy Box]

I always like the mighty mouse, it seem to be really precise, but trying to clean that track ball was really annoying. After doing a good cleaning and getting everything working, it wouldn’t take long for it to be messed up again.


I gave up, and started using Logitech mice. I still prefer how precise the mighty mouse was, but it wasn’t worth it to keep up with the cleaning.

 

[edubfromktown]

I always like the mighty mouse, it seem to be really precise, but trying to clean that track ball was really annoying. After doing a good cleaning and getting everything working, it wouldn’t take long for it to be messed up again.


I gave up, and started using Logitech mice. I still prefer how precise the mighty mouse was, but it wasn’t worth it to keep up with the cleaning.

Yup- really like the precision and tracking speed.

That was the 1st time I've had to clean it.

Occasionally, up or down would get stuck but I could get it working again.