Cant get the optical mouse to work on my laptop.

Garrett, Yes, plug in the receiver that came with mouse. Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck
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GE Wireless Mouse and Driver Problem Fix
http://techin.oureverydaylife.com/ge-wireless-optical-mini-mouse-stepbystep-setup-13706.html
GE 98796 Wireless Optical Mouse Manual

start, control Panel, mouse, basically setting it up manually

On some computers, the mouse will work as soon as it is plugged in, while on others you'll need to manually set the connection. To do this, plug the USB receiver into the computer, then press the Connect button on the receiver. Once the lights start flashing, press the Connect button on the bottom of the mouse. (Make sure the mouse is turned on first.) It should now make the connection.

Hope that helps!

more detail on this as I don't know if it is current laser or if u are using past ball under mouse...if laser it may be the optical sensor may have a glitch...try using another mouse to see if that works...if it does then the problem is that mouse...because I can get any mouse I want and hook it up to my laptop and it works good...try it and see. Get a logi tech wireless mouse.

Replace worn out batteries in it. If that isnt the problem then access the BIOS screen by booting laptop up and pressing DEL key, search for setting that lists infra red laptop pad, enable and save / /reboot.

if ur driver is ok, then u try first to restart ur system or properly shut down ur laptop them plug ur mouse carefully.........

You should be safe to go with a USB mouse.
greg

see the very first thing is that what u can try is that try and connect the same mouse that u had and that had worked and if works then the prob is with the mouse that u have right now and if that also doesnt work then the usb port on the laptop has gone bad and u need to replace the motherboard of the computer but before replacing the motherboard try and connect some other usb device on the same usb port.........

which os you are using ?