Alienware TactX Mouse not detecting surface.

Hello all.

Recently my giant free Alienware mousepad that came free with my M17x purchase has worn out so now I am temporarily using a transparent thin plastic file as a platform for my TactX mouse.

I recently bought this Alienware Custom Gaming Mouse Pad Mats Mousepad | eBay mouse but to my disappointment, my mouse doesn't detect it (or VERY poorly since the pointer barely flinches). I tested this pad with another cheap optical laser mouse and it detected it perfectly.

Any ideas on what went wrong and what I can do to solve this?

Thanks

 

I have had that problem before, thats why I decided to go with a darkfield mouse from Logitech. I can even use my mouse over a tempered glass table and it will work just fine.

 

I don't think I can buy a new mouse on the get go since the tactx is still relatively new so I'll need to make the best of it. Any other alternative suggestions?

 

Someone help me pleaseeee otherwise I'd end up hunting for mousepads endlessly not knowing whether my TactX is the real problem and how to fix it or whether it can't help but be more sensitive which is why it is very selective of the surfaces it rests on xD

 

why don't you try the logitech g700, is a great gaming mouse

If it does not detect it, there is nothing you can do besides trying a different mouse pad(i had a similar problem with my old razer lachesis) Right now have the rocketfish double sided gaming mouse pad and it works perfect on my g700 and on my g9x(which is the same thing as the alienawre tactx mouse

 

I wouldn't argue with you on that but I can only afford a mousepad in the meantime

Thing is, i'm more of an alienware franchise enthusiast (foolishly people may add) but it's just the completionists' feeling of having the whole set (I'm using the tactX mouse headset as well). So I would be more inclined to getting an Alienware mousepad as well. I am tempted to buy the giant alienware mousepad which came free with my m17x purchase since it worked well before up until it got worn. But I'm worried that it'll somehow have detection problems again and I would have bought the mouse pad for nothing.

The gist of it is, I suspect that it has nothing to do with the mouse sensitivity or DPI settings itself since it moves fine on surfaces it can perfectly detect like the thin transparent plastic file I'm currently using, as well as paperback book covers - on top of books. Every other material, including the wooden table that my m17x is sitting on - is detectable but still wonky and irregular.

 

If you, or someone else can tell me what the name of the sensor is inside it I can give you a list of pads that work best with it.

 

I am not sure what is the name of the sensor but here are some links which I found when I googled what sensor it uses:

1. Anyone else buy the Alienware TactX mouse? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net post #4

2. Alienware TactX Laser Gaming Mouse Review Comment Thread - Hardware Canucks post #8

 

Ya ok so it uses an avago laser, so you dont really want any cloth pads or pads made for mice with optical sensors rather than laser. I beleive you could get an glass pad to work well this mouse, and being as its glass it would last forever. Any of the hard pads should work as well but Ive had issues with them not lasting too long but Im hard on my equipment anyways. Whatever pad you choose, id make sure that the color of it coresponds with the feet on the bottom of the mouse, you dont want a white pad with black mouse feet, for it will turn the white black and there goes your pad.

 

AHhh so there's a difference between optical and laser. No wonder around my TactX sensor it reads "Advanced gaming laser" but there wasn't any red beam of light to go with it.

Thanks so much it makes so much sense now! My tactX is pitch black everywhere so the bottom of the mouse is black too. Guess the new white mouse pad I bought is useless now. So if I bought the old giant Alienware mouse pad DELL Alienware Mousemat Mouse Mat Pad Large Brand New | eBay UK will it work or will I expect issues with it? I tested this mouse with my worn pad and it doesn't detect it at all.

I would most probably follow your advice and get a glass pad but I've never had experience with one and I'm not sure if I've seen one too. Can you suggest one for me to give me an idea what I should be looking for?

Thanks again kotori!

 

Ive never actually used a glass pad either as Im a low sensitivity gamer and lasers are horrendous for that, so im a optical, but it is a infrared optical so theres no red light. Mostl asers these days are infrared so you wont see those either. Id look at this site SteelSeries – Surfaces
Ive been doing some reading around and it seems a razer Xact mat is decent and on the site linked above the 4hd/9hd ( same thing different sizes i think ) are the choices Im coming up with, personally Ive used several razer pads and they dont last, especially the hard ones. If the steel series isnt out of your range then I would lean towards them. Bear(spell check?) in mine that I DO NOT use laser mice, and have not used any of these pads so Im not at all an expert on them or what they work good with first hand experience wise, I'm just doing some googling to come up with things.

 

So what you're saying is my TactX laser mouse is horrible for a glass pad? Yes opticals are less troublesome since that they can virtually detect almost anything.

Yes I've had a look at them and they don't look as bad but I'm going to have to find a way to bring my mouse to a shop to test to make sure the surface can actually be detected. Otherwise it would be a waste if I bought it online and not sure if it worked.

Don't worry I appreciate your input and help in this I'll do my best to research the rest. I won't hold it against you. You've been a great help kotori thanks!

 

I used an old LP sleeve for my mousepad for the LONGEST time. Give it a whirl.

 

Sorry I'm not very familiar with abbreviations xD what is a LP?

 

bump anyone?

 

If you can afford it, the Razer Vespula dual sided pad is great.
Otherwise, why dont you just get another oem mousepad? They can be had for less than 5 dollars on e bay.

There may even be some nice ppl on here to send you the alienware oem pad they arent using. I've almost worn mine out too.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! I've seen it in stores before so I'll bring my mouse over to try it out.

What's an oem mousepad? is it the giant mousepad that came free with the m17x purchase?

 

Yes, the mouse pad that came with your system.