I have a targus wireless mouse, the laser one where you plug the reciever into the usb and press the button on the side of it. the batteries in the mouse are new but when i press the button on the reciever nothing happens. nothing happens when i press the button on the mouse either.. why is it not working?

Does this mouse need to sync with the reciever plugged into the computer?
Somewhere on the mouse and posssibly on the reciever plugged into the USB
port on the computer it should have a connect button. Usually to connect/sync
a mouse or keyboard press the button on the reciever first then press the connect
button on the mouse. Or if th mouse has a button just press the mouse button,
often the mouses lazer will blink until the mouse connects with the reciever then
just stay lit at this point it sould work. Another Question, how are the batteries in
the mouse?

You will need to follow the manufacturers instructions on setting up the mouse. Here is a copy of the instructions for download (Below is a viewable copy). Based on what you indicate, it is possible that the drivers are not loaded for the usb reciever or that one of the installation steps was not done correctly or completely. Please review the instructions and start from the first step.
Here are the instructions:

Targus Wireless RF Mouse USER’S GUIDE Making Your Mobile Life Easier.® Visit our Web site at: www.targus.com Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. © 2004 Targus Group International and Targus, Inc.. 400-0111-001B

System Requirements To use the RF mouse, your computer must meet the following hardware requirements and run one of the operating systems listed below. Hardware • PC with a Pentium® processor or equivalent • USB interface • Mouse • Receiver • 2 AAA batteries • Three inch USB extension cable • Carrying pouch Targus Wireless RF Mouse Operating System • Windows® 98/Me/2000/XP NOTE: The third button and the scrolling wheel only work with the operating systems listed above. If you use the RF mouse with a different operating system, it will lose its enhanced features and function as a standard, twobutton mouse.

Connecting the Mouse Receiver To connect the mouse receiver: 1 Plug the USB receiver into an available USB port on your computer. 2 Your computer’s operating system identifies the receiver and begins installing the default driver. Follow any on-screen procedures to complete the default driver installation. Using the RF Mouse Installing the Batteries 1 If the mouse is on, slide the on/off switch on the bottom of the mouse to the “off” position. 2 Remove the battery cover from the top of the mouse by pressing the battery cover hinge located on the bottom of the mouse and sliding it off. NOTE: The battery cover is also the top cover of the mouse.
Targus Wireless RF Mouse 3 Insert the supplied batteries, making sure that the positive (+) and negative (-) ends of each battery match the polarity indicators inside the battery housing. WARNINGS: When replacing the batteries, you may use alkaline or other heavy-duty NiMH batteries. Never use an alkaline with a NiMH battery in a device. Avoid mixing new and used batteries in a device. 4 Slide the battery cover back into position until it “clicks” firmly into place. 5 Turn on the mouse be sliding the on/off switch on the bottom of the mouse to the “on” position. The optical sensor, located on the bottom of the mouse, glows red. Establishing a Communications Link The RF mouse has 256 identification codes that allow the mouse and its receiver to operate without interference from other radio frequency devices. After your computer detects the USB receiver and the driver software is installed, you must establish a communications link between the mouse and its receiver BEFORE you can use the mouse. To establish this link, you need to set the identification code so that the mouse works properly. To do this, follow the instructions below: Make sure that your computer is turned on and has detected the USB receiver before you establish a communications link. 1 Press and release the link button on the receiver.

Targus Wireless RF Mouse Receiver The USB connector rotates 90 degrees to facilitate easy connection to your computer. The receiver’s status light blinks when the receiver is activated. 2 Press and release the reset button, located on the bottom of the mouse. You are now ready to use the RF mouse. Mouse Power Management To power the mouse on and off, slide the on/off switch at the bottom of the mouse to the desired position.
Mouse When power is on, the mouse goes into "sleep mode" after 8 minutes of no use. To activate the mouse, touch the sensor strips on the side with your hand. To save battery power, turn off the mouse while traveling or when you’re not using it. CAUTION: Turning off the mouse will require you to synchronize again the next time you turn it back on. 90° rotation Status light Link button Sensor strips Low battery indicator

Targus Wireless RF Mouse Operating Hints For optimal performance and RF reception: • Place the receiver at least 8 inches (20 cm) away from all electrical devices, such as your monitor, speakers or external storage devices. If necessary, use a three-inch extension cable to keep the receiver away from the computer. Plug the receiver into the extension cable, and the extension cable to the computer. • Avoid using the RF mouse on a metal surface. Metals, such as iron, aluminum or copper, shield the radio frequency transmission and may slow down the mouse’s response time or cause the mouse to fail temporarily. • The RF mouse will enter a suspend mode at the same time your computer does. To activate the mouse, touch the sensor strips on the side of the mouse. • If your computer has a metal case that contains aluminum or magnesium, use the RF mouse to the side. The display panel may interfere with the radio frequency signal if you use the mouse directly in front of the computer. • Never use the RF mouse on a glass or mirrored surface as these surfaces will cause the mouse to fail temporarily. • To maximize battery life, use the RF mouse on a white, or light colored surface. Dark surfaces cause the mouse’s light emitter diode (LED) light to glow brighter, which causes the battery to discharge more rapidly.
Targus Wireless RF Mouse Sleep Mode • The mouse’s sleep mode feature activates after 8 minutes of non-operation. • To wake the mouse from sleep mode, touch the sensor strips on the side of the mouse. • When the battery charge is running low, the battery indicator light at the end of the mouse glows blue.

Targus Wireless RF Mouse Troubleshooting What do I do if the RF mouse does not work? • Make sure that the polarity of the batteries is correct. The positive (+) and negative (-) ends of each battery must match the positive (+) and negative (-) connections in the battery housing. • Check that the receiver’s USB connector is firmly attached to the USB port on your computer. • Verify that the device drivers are installed. • Make sure you have established a radio link between the mouse and its receiver. See “Establishing a Communications Link” in sections above

The reciever is poorly designed. The green and/or white wires are probably broken on the inside.(pins 2 and 3)

Try re-installing the drivers for the wireless mouse.

HELLO, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO DOWN LOAD THE SOFT WARE THEN PLUG IN THE USB AND AFTER THAT ON YOUR RECIEVER CLICK THE CONNECT BUTTON ON THE RECIEVER TILL IT RECONIZES BOTH KEY BOARD AND MOUSE I HAVE THE LOGITECH WIRELESS SYSTEM AND I LOVE IT TILL THE BATTERIES GO OUT ON THE MOUSE OR KEY BOARD LOL THEN RESTART YOUR COMPUTER.

There's also a connect button on the USB connector. Plug the connector in and press the connect button underneath until the light flashes. Release the button and click the connect button on the mouse until the USB light is steady.

I had this happen to me after reprogramming my tv remote too close to my laptop and mouse. Try resetting the reciever and then the mouse by pushing the reset buttons on each one while they are plugged in ( reciever first, then the mouse ).

I assume this is a wireless mouse, Is there a similar button on the reciever? press this at the same time as pressing the one on your mouse

Yeah, I was kind of confused about this too. Apparently, on the base of the mouse, there is a red reset button. Press it, while simultaneously pressing the black reset button on the base of the USB-connected charger. The laser light should become steady after a moment, indicating that the mouse is in sync with the laptop. If the laser is blinking, however, then the mouse is attempting to become synced. You may have to press the reset button multiple times. Hope this helps.