Mouse quits working, have to keep unplugging and plugging in

This "can" be malware, but is most likely your pointer device going wonky. First unplug the mouse, trackball, or whatever it is you are using for a mouse. If you are still using an old PS2 connection (round plug), consider getting a USB mouse to replace it.

Plug your mouse back in and see if it solves the problem.

Try a new mouse.

If it's not the mouse (you just said the cursor is moving) it could be that the left arrow on your keyboard is stuck. In that case, rake your keyboard, tap ******* the arrow keys, turn over the keyboard and shake out any large Cheeto crumbs, use compressed air (if possible) to blow the dust out.

Unplug your keyboard from the computer and plug it back in. If you are still using the old PS2 keyboard (round plug), consider getting a USB keyboard to replace it. *** warning

*** warning, do NOT throw out the old PS2 plug keyboard if you replace it. You may need it to get into the BIOS some time in the future if the electronics don't recognize a USB keyboard on boot.

To try to resolve the issue:
1.) Will a different keyboard and mouse work (PS2 is the name of these connections)
If they will, damage to the keyboard and mouse is likely)
2.) Will a usb mouse and keyboard work?
If they do, then the problem is with the controller on the mobo, unlikley but MAY have been casued by static.

If the USB keyboard and mouse do not work, you have some problems with the motherboard

Try switching off and unplugging the computer, remove the coin shaped BIOS battery and plug in the keyboard and mouse, wait 2 minutes or so and put the battery back, replug in and power on, see if the bios detects the keyboard and mouse (you will see the bios screen flash up a message). If the computer does nOT detect the keyboard and mouse it will (or should) flash a message on the screen saying "no PS2 keyboard or mouse detected".

If this fails to detect the mouse and keyboard and you get no message or beeps, then there may be damage to the connector ports.

If you can get a USB keyboard and mouse to work, use them, Effecting a repair to the motherboard will not be a viable option

what OS? XP? why post at all lacking such a key fact?
click start, controlpanel, click system , bingo what OS you have.

is the PC web connected , it must be for PnP to work.
this kbd is 12 years old at least, (see posts at dell that old)
are you trying to use 12year old hardware on windows 10?
vast things do not work on w10 now, like most things over 10 years old. vast things, usb things, wireless usb things. endless list.
that is because there are now w10 drivers for those things now.

google find near nothing on
T0185, it is so old. did you look in device manager?
then see keyboard devices.
then right click (be web connected) and pick update driver. first?

at dell forum , i see 12 years of folks asking for drivers on this
and not one answered with 6000 views, not a good sign that.
RIP dell wireless kbd. no manual either found. dell , has ghosted this

Try moving the mouse receivers usb plug in to another port. Unplug any new devices and restart computer. Then replug in any new usb devices.
If still not working.......
Look at Office Depot and other office stores for a replacement wireless mouse. I have seen them as low a $9.99 on up. You might even want to upgrade and get a wireless mouse and keyboard set.

if your mouse is working. it would be the keyboard it self.. cause dell has bout wireless mouse and keyboard.. do you have warrenty on your system.. dell can replace the keyboard for free..

Try cleaning it. If it is an optical mouse, clean the red lens.

Try to re-connect the mouse and keyboard using the connect buttons on the keyboard/mouse and the receiver to the computer.

The mouse should be Plug and Play. Did you install the drivers before plugging the mouse's receiver in? The PC has to have the drivers first in order to take advantage of the Plug and Play capability. If you plugged the mouse's receiver in before installing the drivers, unplug the mouse receiver, uninstall the driver, reboot your PC, reinstall the driver, then plug the receiver in and you should be fine.

Otherwise, press the Connect button on the receiver first, and then the Connect button on the mouse, and that should establish the connection. You don't need to disable your touch pad in order to use the mouse.

have you tried new batteries?