Unable to change mouse settings in System Preferences

Question

Level 1

1 points

Unable to change mouse settings in System Preferences

Hello.

I have a managed user account where I want to change the mouse settings (for a standard USB Apple mouse) in System Prefs. I want to change the right click from "primary button" to "secondary button".

However, after making the adjustment and exiting System Prefs the setting reverts back to the default (primary button). So when I reopen System Preferences, the "secondary button" is reset to "primary button".

The managed settings for this account do not restrict System Preferences. It is only setup to stop the dock being modified.

I've tried deleting the com.apple.systempreferences.plist and com.apple.systempreferences.plist.lockfile in users/*account*/LIbrary/Preferences without luck. I've also reset the ACLs for the user also with no luck. If I create a fresh account then the problem goes away. Unfortunately I can't just create a new account in this instance.

Has anyone else has this issue and found a resolution?

Many thanks in advance,

Image 1 (below): Changes made to right click and other buttons

Image 2: System preferences closed and then reopened, settings automatically revert to factory default

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Oct 3, 2012 6:27 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 3, 2012 8:29 PM in response to saleemmartin

I have the same problem. just upgraded to Lion 10.7.5 and exact same thing. problem not solved. I use a standard apple bluetooth mouse with a scroll wheel. I cannot get the mouse to right-click or the side buttons to function. system preferences will not stay as I set them.

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Answer 2

gomi2674

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2012 10:18 PM in response to Clayton Colwell

I just upgraded to 10.7.5 and have the same problem with one exception. The Mouse button assignments don't revert back in the System Preferences panel. The assignments stick, but they don't anything.

Left/Right/Trackball Buttons = Primary Button

Side Buttons = Off

So much for Apple products "Just Working".

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Answer 3

saleemmartin Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 5, 2012 8:37 AM in response to saleemmartin

Hi again,

I may have found a solution by deleting two preference files:

This will work if you are using a standard USB Apple mouse.

In your user account locate Library (hidden) then the Preferences folder. Delete the following files:

com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDMouse.plist.lockfile

Then logout of the user and log back in again.

This effectively rebuilds your mouse preferences. If you have a wireless mouse or another mouse, there may be other drivers above or below these entrys which you could try to delete, but I definately don't suggest you do this unless you know exactly what you're doing!

Find below a screen shot of the finder path:

Hope it helps!

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Answer 4

Oct 5, 2012 12:21 PM in response to saleemmartin

thanks I will try this with my original Apple Bluetooth mouse.

I went ahead and bought a new magic mouse and what happened is that the mouse preferences screen changed to a different look, and suddeny all functions work properly.

then I tried reconnecting the old bluetooth mouse and still it would not work. even though the preferences had not changed.

will try your method above and report back to see if I can get the older bluetooth mouse to work.

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Answer 5

Oct 5, 2012 12:59 PM in response to saleemmartin

hi again. i tried trashing those drivers, the two seleemmartin detailed above. Alas, it did not work for me. so I guess apple just got another $69 from me for a new magic mouse since i need that right click function. I like the magic mouse, definitely smoother and feels better than the mighty mouse, Just unfortunate and a bit shady that they don't come out and tell you the things that won't work, that you'll have to buy, in order to fully use the new OS.

I mean, a mouse? And an Apple mouse at that.

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Answer 6

Oct 5, 2012 1:06 PM in response to Clayton Colwell

Also would like to add that the original screenshot that the OP posted, the one of the mouse preferences screen, changed for me once I paired a new Magic Mouse to the computer. Once I paired the new Magic Mouse this is what the mouse preferences window looks like:

User uploaded file

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Answer 7

saleemmartin Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 7, 2012 3:18 AM in response to Clayton Colwell

Hi Clayton,

Yep, the mouse preferences screen will change depending on which mouse you have attached.

The Magic Mouse screen is far more complex than the standard USB mouse screen as it has many additional features.

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Answer 8

saleemmartin Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 7, 2012 3:19 AM in response to gomi2674

Hi Gomi2674,

Did you try my fix on this thread?

Regards,

Lawrence

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Answer 9

Dec 24, 2012 8:18 PM in response to saleemmartin

I had same problem, but once the right button was set as primary, neither button were capable of clicking, dragging or toggling anything in any of the preference panes.

I booted into safe mode and was able to correct the setting on second attempt. First attempt quickly reverted to corrupted state.

Problem has not resurfaced.

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Answer 10

jovan_dj

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2013 10:50 AM in response to saleemmartin

Hi,

I have an Apple magic mouse with my iMac, running OSx 10.6.8.

About a month ago I suffered a hand injury and so decided to switch my primary and secondary buttons on my mouse. I'm ready to start using my hand again, but now for some reason I cannot seem to find the option in Preferences/Mouse to change the buttons back.

All I have are the Tracking, Scrolling and Double-click options (see attached screenshot) and there is no sign of the option to switch prim. and sec. buttons again.

I uninstalled a graphics tablet I had, I turned the mouse off and on again, I restarted the computer, I googled for answers but no luck.

Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 11

Aug 20, 2013 12:03 AM in response to saleemmartin

System Preferences > Mouse

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