








                           Mouse Support in XFree86

                                Kazutaka Yokota

                               28 February 1998



1.  Introduction

This document describes mouse support in XFree86 3.3.2, whose X servers have
the revised mouse driver.

Mouse configuration has often been mysterious task for novice users.  However,
once you learn several basics, it is straightforward to choose options in
XF86Setup or write the "Pointer" section in the XF86Config file by hand.


2.  Supported Hardware

XFree86 X servers support three classes of mice: serial, bus and PS/2 mice.

      Serial mouse
            The serial mouse has been the most popular pointing device for PCs.
            There have been numerous serial mouse models from a number of manu-
            factures.  Despite the wide range of variations, there have been
            relatively few protocols (data format) with which the serial mouse
            talks to the host computer.

            The modern serial mouse conforms to the PnP COM device specifica-
            tion so that the host computer can automatically detect the mouse
            and load an appropriate driver.  The XFree86 3.3.2 X servers sup-
            port this specification and can detect popular PnP serial mouse
            models.

      Bus mouse
            The bus mouse connects to a dedicated interface card in an expan-
            sion slot.  Some video cards, notably those from ATI, and inte-
            grated I/O cards may also have a bus mouse connector.  Some bus
            mice are known as `InPort mouse'.

            Note that some mouse manufactures have sold a package including a
            serial mouse and a serial interface card.  Don't confuse this type
            of products with the genuine bus mouse.

      PS/2 mouse
            They are sometimes called `Mouse-port mouse'.  The PS/2 mouse is
            becoming increasingly common and popular.

            The PS/2 mouse is an intelligent device and may have more than
            three buttons and a wheel or a roller.  The PS/2 mouse is usually
            compatible with the original PS/2 mouse from IBM immediately after


Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      1





Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      2



            power up.  The PS/2 mouse with additional features requires a spe-
            cialized initialization procedure to enable these features.  With-
            out proper initialization, it behaves as though it were an ordinary
            two or three button mouse.

Many mice nowadays can be used both as a serial mouse and as a PS/2 mouse.
They has a logic to distinguish which interface it is connected to.  However,
the mouse which is not marketed as compatible with both serial and PS/2 mouse
interface lacks this logic and cannot be used in such a way, even if you can
find an appropriate adapter with which you can connect the PS/2 mouse to a
serial port or visa versa.

XFree86 now supports the mouse with a wheel, a roller or a knob.  Its action is
detected as the Z (third) axis motion of the mouse.  As the X server or clients
normally do not use the Z axis movement of the pointing device, a new configu-
ration option, ZAxisMapping, is provided to assign the Z axis movement to
another axis or a pair of buttons (see below).


3.  OS Support for Mice

3.1  Summary of Supported Mouse Protocol Types

                                     Protocol Types
                     serial     PnP     BusMouse    PS/2   Extended PS/2
     OS platforms   protocols  serial   protocol  protocol  protocols
                               "Auto"  "BusMouse"  "PS/2"   "xxxPS/2"
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
     BSD/OS            Ok        ?         ?         ?         ?
     FreeBSD           Ok        Ok        Ok        Ok        SP*1
     FreeBSD(98)       Ok        ?         Ok        NA        NA
     Interactive Unix  Ok        NA        ?*1       ?*1       NA
     Linux             Ok        Ok        Ok        Ok        Ok
     Linux/98          Ok        ?         Ok        NA        NA
     LynxOS            Ok        NA        Ok        Ok        NA
     NetBSD            Ok        Ok        Ok        SP*1      NA
     NetBSD/pc98       Ok        ?         Ok        NA        NA
     OpenBSD           Ok        Ok        Ok        Ok*1      OK*1
     OS/2              SP*2      SP*2      SP*2      SP*2      SP*2
     SCO               Ok        ?         SP*1      SP*1      NA
     Solaris 2.x       Ok        NA*1      ?*1       Ok        NA
     SVR4              Ok        NA*1      SP*1      SP*1      NA
     PANIX             Ok        ?         SP*1      SP*1      NA

     Ok: support is available,  NA: not available, ?: untested or unknown.
     SP: support is available in a different form

     *1 Refer to the following sections for details.
     *2 XFree86/OS2 will support any type of mouse that the OS supports,
        whether it is serial, bus mouse, or PnP type.

3.2  BSD/OS

No testing has been done with BSD/OS.








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      3



3.3  FreeBSD

FreeBSD supports the "SysMouse" protocol which must be specified when the
moused daemon is running in versions 2.2.1 or later.

FreeBSD versions 2.2.5 or earlier do not support extended PS/2 mouse protocols
("xxxPS/2").  Always specify the "PS/2" protocol for any PS/2 mouse in these
versions regardless of the brand of the mouse.

FreeBSD versions 2.2.6 or later include the kernel-level support for these
mice.  Specify the "PS/2" or "Auto" protocol and the X server will automati-
cally make use of the kernel-level support.  In fact, you may always specify
"Auto" to any mouse in these versions unless the mouse is an old serial model
which doesn't support PnP.

3.4  FreeBSD(98)

The PS/2 mouse is not supported.

3.5  Interactive Unix

The PnP serial mouse support (the "Auto" protocol) is not supported for the
moment.

The bus mouse and PS/2 mouse should be supported by using the appropriate
device drivers.  Use /dev/mouse for the "BusMouse" protocol and /dev/kdmouse
for the "PS/2" protocol.  These protocols are untested but may work.  Please
send success/failure reports to <michael.rohleder@stadt-frankfurt.de>.

3.6  Linux

All protocol types should work.

3.7  Linux/98

The PS/2 mouse is not supported.

3.8  LynxOS

The PnP serial mouse support (the "Auto" protocol) is disabled in LynxOS,
because of limited TTY device driver functionality.

3.9  NetBSD

NetBSD does not support extended PS/2 mouse protocols ("xxxPS/2").  The PS/2
mouse device driver /dev/pms emulates the bus mouse.  Therefore, you should
always specify the "BusMouse" protocol for any PS/2 mouse regardless of the
brand of the mouse.

3.10  NetBSD/pc98

The PS/2 mouse is not supported.










Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      4



3.11  OpenBSD

The raw PS/2 mouse device driver /dev/psm0 uses the raw PS/2 mouse protocol.

OpenBSD 2.2 and earlier does not support extended PS/2 mouse protocols
("xxxPS/2") .  Therefore, you should specify the "PS/2" protocol for any PS/2
mouse regardless of the brand of the mouse.

OpenBSD 2.3 and later support all extended PS/2 mouse protocols.  You can
select the "Auto" protocol for PnP PS/2 mice or any specific extended
("xxxPS/2") protocol for non PnP mice.

There is also a cooked PS/2 mouse device driver /dev/pms0 which emulates the
bus mouse.  Specify the "BusMouse" protocol for any PS/2 mouse regardless of
the brand of the mouse when using this device.

3.12  OS/2

XFree86/OS2 always uses the native mouse driver of the operating system and
will support any type of pointer that the OS supports, whether it is serial,
bus mouse, or PnP type.  If the mouse works under Presentation Manager, it will
also work under XFree86/OS2.

Always specify "OSMouse" as the protocol type.

3.13  SCO

The bus and PS/2 mouse are supported with the "OSMouse" protocol type.

The "OSMouse" may also be used with the serial mouse.

3.14  Solaris

Testing has been done with Solaris 2.5.1 and 2.6.  Logitech and Microsoft bus
mice have not been tested, but might work with the /dev/logi and /dev/msm
devices.  Standard 2 and 3 button PS/2 mice work with the "PS/2" protocol type
and the /dev/kdmouse device.  The PnP serial mouse support (the "Auto" proto-
col) has been tested and does not work.

3.15  SVR4

The bus and PS/2 mouse may be supported with the "Xqueue" protocol type.

The "Xqueue" may also be used with the serial mouse.

The PnP serial mouse support (the "Auto" protocol) is not tested.

3.16  PANIX

The PC/AT version of PANIX supports the bus and PS/2 mouse with the "Xqueue"
protocol type.  The PC-98 version of PANIX supports the bus mouse with the
"Xqueue" protocol type.










Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      5



4.  Configuring Your Mouse

Before using the XF86Setup or xf86config programs to set up mouse configura-
tion, you must identify the interface type, the device name and the protocol
type of your mouse.  Blindly trying every possible combination of mouse set-
tings will lead you nowhere.

The first thing you need to know is the interface type of the mouse you are
going to use.  It can be determined by looking at the connector of the mouse.
The serial mouse has a D-Sub female 9- or 25-pin connector.  The bus mice have
either a D-Sub male 9-pin connector or a round DIN 9-pin connector.  The PS/2
mouse is equipped with a small, round DIN 6-pin connector.  Some mice come with
adapters with which the connector can be converted to another.  If you are to
use such an adapter, remember that the connector at the very end of the
mouse/adapter pair is what matters.

The next thing to decide is a device node to use for the given interface.  For
the bus and PS/2 mice, there is little choice; your OS most possibly offers
just one device node each for the bus mouse and PS/2 mouse.  There may be more
than one serial port to which the serial mouse can be attached.

The next step is to guess the appropriate protocol type for the mouse.  The X
server may be able to select a protocol type for the given mouse automatically
in some cases.  Otherwise, the user has to choose one manually.  Follow the
guidelines below.

      Bus mouse
            The bus and InPort mice always use "BusMouse" protocol regardless
            of the brand of the mouse.

            Some OSs may allow you to specify "Auto" as the protocol type for
            the bus mouse.

      PS/2 mouse
            The "PS/2" protocol should always be tried first for the PS/2 mouse
            regardless of the brand of the mouse.  Any PS/2 mouse should work
            with this protocol type, although wheels and other additional fea-
            tures are unavailable in the X server.

            After verifying the mouse works with this protocol, you may choose
            to specify one of "xxxPS/2" protocols so that extra features are
            made available in the X server.  However, support for these PS/2
            mice assumes certain behavior of the underlying OS and may not
            always work as expected.  Support for some PS/2 mouse models may be
            disabled all together for some OS platforms for this reason.

            Some OSs may allow you to specify "Auto" as the protocol type for
            the PS/2 mouse and the X server will automatically adjust itself.

      Serial mouse
            The XFree86 server supports a wide range of mice, both old and new.
            If your mouse is of a relatively new model, it may conform to the
            PnP COM device specification and the X server may be able to detect
            an appropriate protocol type for the mouse automatically.








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      6



            Specify "Auto" as the protocol type and start the X server.  If the
            mouse is not a PnP mouse, or the X server cannot determine a suit-
            able protocol type, the server will print the following error mes-
            sage and abort.

                 xf86SetupMouse: Cannot determine the mouse protocol

            If the X server generates the above error message, you need to man-
            ually specify a protocol type for your mouse.  Choose one from the
            following list:

               o GlidePoint

               o IntelliMouse

               o Logictech

               o Microsoft

               o MMHittab

               o MMSeries

               o MouseMan

               o MouseSystems

               o ThinkingMouse

            When you choose, keep in mind the following rule of thumb:

              1.  "Logitech" protocol is for old serial mouse models from Log-
                  itech.  Modern Logitech mice use either "MouseMan" or
                  "Microsoft" protocol.

              2.  Most 2-button serial mice support the "Microsoft" protocol.

              3.  3-button serial mice may work with the "Mousesystems" proto-
                  col. If it doesn't, it may work instead with the "Microsoft"
                  protocol although the third (middle) button won't function.
                  3-button serial mice may also work with the "Mouseman" proto-
                  col under which the third button may function as expected.

              4.  3-button serial mice may have a small switch at the bottom of
                  the mouse to choose between ``MS'' and ``PC'', or ``2'' and
                  ``3''.  ``MS'' or ``2'' usually mean the "Microsoft" proto-
                  col.  ``PC'' or ``3'' will choose the "MouseSystems" proto-
                  col.

              5.  If the serial mouse has a roller or a wheel, it may be com-
                  patible with the "IntelliMouse" protocol.

              6.  If the serial mouse has a roller or a wheel and it doesn't
                  work with the "IntelliMouse" protocol, you have to use it as








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      7



                  a regular 2- or 3-button serial mouse.

            If the "Auto" protocol is specified and the mouse seems working,
            but you find that not all features of the mouse is available, that
            is because the X server does not have native support for that model
            of mouse and is using a ``compatible'' protocol according to PnP
            information.

            If you suspect this is the case with your mouse, please send report
            to <XFree86@XFree86.Org>.

      Standardized protocols
            Mouse device drivers in your OS may use the standardized protocol
            regardless of the model or the class of the mouse.  For example,
            SVR4 systems may support "Xqueue" protocol.  In FreeBSD the system
            mouse device /dev/sysmouse uses the "SysMouse" protocol.  Please
            refer to the OS support section of this file for more information.


5.  XF86Config Options

The following new options are available for the Pointer section of the XF86Con-
fig file.

5.1  Buttons

This option tells the X server the number of buttons on the mouse.  Currently
there is no reliable way to automatically detect the correct number.  This
option is the only means for the X server to obtain it.  The default value is
three.

Note that if you intend to assign Z axis movement to button events using the
ZAxisMapping option below, you need to take account of those buttons into N
too.

          Buttons N

5.2  ZAxisMappping

This option maps the Z axis (wheel) motion to a pair of buttons or to another
axis.

          ZAxisMapping X
          ZAxisMapping Y
          ZAxisMapping N M

The first example will map the Z axis motion to the X axis motion.  Whenever
the user moves the wheel/roller, its movement is reported as the X axis motion.
When the wheel/roller stays still, the real X axis motion is reported as is.
The last example will map negative Z axis motion to the button N and positive Z
axis motion to the button M.  If this option is used and the buttons N or M
actually exists in the mouse, their actions won't be detected by the X server.

Currently this option can not be set in the XF86Setup program.  You need to








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      8



edit the XF86Config file by hand to add this option.

5.3  Resolution

The following option will set the mouse device resolution to N counts per inch,
if possible:

          Resolution N

Not all mice and OSs can support this option.  This option can be set in the
XF86Setup program.


6.  Mouse Gallery

6.1  MS IntelliMouse  (serial, PS/2)

This mouse has been supported since XFree86 3.3.  However, support in 3.3.2 is
slightly different; the wheel movement is recognized as the Z axis motion.
This behavior is not compatible with XFree86 3.3, but is more consistent with
the support for other mice with wheels or rollers.  If you want to make the
wheel behave like before, you can use the new option "ZAxisMapping" as
described above.

IntelliMouse supports the PnP COM device specification.

To use this mouse as a serial device:

          Protocol "Auto" or "IntelliMouse"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "IMPS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the wheel won't work in this case):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.2  Kensington Thinking Mouse (serial, PS/2)

This mouse has four buttons.  Thinking Mouse supports the PnP COM device speci-
fication.









Mouse Support in XFree86                                                      9



To use this mouse as a serial device:

          Protocol "Auto" or "ThinkingMouse"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "ThinkingMousePS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the third and the fourth buttons act as though they were the
first and the second buttons):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.3  Genius NetScroll (PS/2)

This mouse has four buttons and a roller.  The roller movement is recognized as
the Z axis motion.

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "NetScrollPS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the roller and the fourth button won't work):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.4  Genius NetMouse and NetMouse Pro (serial, PS/2)

These mice have a "magic button" which is used like a wheel or a roller.  The
"magic button" action is recognized as the Z axis motion.  NetMouse Pro is
identical to NetMouse except that it has the third button on the left hand
side.









Mouse Support in XFree86                                                     10



NetMouse and NetMouse Pro support the PnP COM device specification.  When used
as a serial mouse, they are compatible with MS IntelliMouse.

To use these mice as a serial device:

          Protocol "Auto" or "IntelliMouse"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "NetMousePS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the "magic button" and the third button won't work):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.5  ALPS GlidePoint (serial, PS/2)

The serial version of this pad device has been supported since XFree86 3.2.
`Tapping' action is interpreted as the fourth button press.  (IMHO, the fourth
button of GlidePoint should always be mapped to the first button in order to
make this pad behave like the other pad products.)

To use this pad as a serial device:

          Protocol "GlidePoint"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "GlidePointPS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization:

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                     11



          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.6  ASCII MieMouse (serial, PS/2)

This mouse appears to be OEM from Genius.  Although its shape is quite differ-
ent, it works like Genius NetMouse Pro.  This mouse has a "knob" which is used
like a wheel or a roller.  The "knob" action is recognized as the Z axis
motion.

MieMouse supports the PnP COM device specification.  When used as a serial
mouse, it is compatible with MS IntelliMouse.

To use this mouse as a serial device:

          Protocol "Auto" or "IntelliMouse"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "NetMousePS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the knob and the third button won't work):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

6.7  Logitech MouseMan+ and FirstMouse+ (serial, PS/2)

MouseMan+ has two buttons on top, one side button and a roller.  FirstMouse+
has two buttons and a roller.  The roller movement is recognized as the Z axis
motion.  The roller also acts as the third button.  The side button is recog-
nized as the fourth button.

MouseMan+ and FirstMouse+ support the PnP COM device specification.  They have
MS IntelliMouse compatible mode when used as a serial mouse.

To use these mice as a serial device:

          Protocol "Auto" or "IntelliMouse"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx" (where xxxx is a serial port)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports PS/2 mouse initializa-
tion:

          Protocol "MouseManPlusPS/2"








Mouse Support in XFree86                                                     12



          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device but the OS does not support PS/2 mouse
initialization (the wheel and the fourth button won't work):

          Protocol "PS/2"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

To use this mouse as the PS/2 device and the OS supports automatic PS/2 mouse
detection:

          Protocol "Auto"
          Device   "/dev/xxxx"  (where xxxx is the PS/2 mouse device)

     Generated from XFree86: xc/programs/Xserver/hw/xfree86/doc/sgml/mouse.sgml,v 1.1.2.10 1998/11/07 13:52:45 dawes Exp $















































Mouse Support in XFree86                                                     13





































































                                   CONTENTS



1. Introduction  ............................................................ 1

2. Supported Hardware  ...................................................... 1

3. OS Support for Mice  ..................................................... 2
   3.1  Summary of Supported Mouse Protocol Types  .......................... 2
   3.2  BSD/OS  ............................................................. 2
   3.3  FreeBSD  ............................................................ 3
   3.4  FreeBSD(98)  ........................................................ 3
   3.5  Interactive Unix  ................................................... 3
   3.6  Linux  .............................................................. 3
   3.7  Linux/98  ........................................................... 3
   3.8  LynxOS  ............................................................. 3
   3.9  NetBSD  ............................................................. 3
   3.10 NetBSD/pc98  ........................................................ 3
   3.11 OpenBSD  ............................................................ 4
   3.12 OS/2  ............................................................... 4
   3.13 SCO  ................................................................ 4
   3.14 Solaris  ............................................................ 4
   3.15 SVR4  ............................................................... 4
   3.16 PANIX  .............................................................. 4

4. Configuring Your Mouse  .................................................. 5

5. XF86Config Options  ...................................................... 7
   5.1  Buttons  ............................................................ 7
   5.2  ZAxisMappping  ...................................................... 7
   5.3  Resolution  ......................................................... 8

6. Mouse Gallery  ........................................................... 8
   6.1  MS IntelliMouse  (serial, PS/2)  .................................... 8
   6.2  Kensington Thinking Mouse (serial, PS/2)  ........................... 8
   6.3  Genius NetScroll (PS/2)  ............................................ 9
   6.4  Genius NetMouse and NetMouse Pro (serial, PS/2)  .................... 9
   6.5  ALPS GlidePoint (serial, PS/2)  .................................... 10
   6.6  ASCII MieMouse (serial, PS/2)  ..................................... 11
   6.7  Logitech MouseMan+ and FirstMouse+ (serial, PS/2)  ................. 11















                                       i


