Turning off a wireless keyboard and mouse

[jsquareg]

I am thinking of getting a wireless keyboard and mouse, probably a Logitech, and wonder if, when I power off the computer, the mouse and keyboard will also turn off? It seems like a setting in Power Setting should offer the choice to do so.

Thank you.

 

[Bertison]

Wireless KB & Mouse

Hi
I have a Logitech MK 250 Wireless desktop. (KB & Mouse) The USB transmitter is quite small and sits neatly in the rear of the case. It uses AA batteries in both devices, which do last quite a while. They can be switched off by small switches under each device, although I don't bother unless I am not using the PC for some time.

The only problem I can see is if you are a hard core Gamer (I am not, just a dabbler) as they do tend to be slower for gamers (or so my grandsons tell me). But for most uses, I am very pleased with the kit, especially since I installed a TV Card in the PC. There are other manufacturers, but I have always been happy with Logitech stuff, it is well made. Check out this one:

Logitech UK - Wireless Combo MK260

£24.99, the successor to mine. There are others, in fact (EDIT) I read that there are more expensive ones there which would suit a Gamer. Hope this helps!

FURTHER EDIT: The MK 260 is available from Amazon @ £17:98.

 

[jsquareg]

Thank you very much, Bertison.

I can see I didn't post my question completely enough.

What I am trying to accomplish is to have the wireless mouse and keyboard turn off when I turn the computer off. Right now I have to power down the computer and monitor separately. I don't want to have to turn off two more devices.

Thank you.

 

[seavixen32]

There is nothing within the advanced power settings to achieve what you ask.

I have a solar-powered Logitech keyboard and a wireless mouse. Both are equipped with an ON/OFF switch, but I don't use them.

Don't forget that neither device will be drawing power when your computer is switched off.

 

[jsquareg]

Thank you seavixen32.

Are you sure that no power will be drawn from the battery when the computer is off? If so, I wonder the purpose of the on/off switch. What gives the device the ability to know the the computer is off and then comes on without having some sort of wireless receiver built in and on all the time thus drawing power from the battery?

Clearly, I am a neophyte in this area!

Thanks again.

 

[seavixen32]

The switch is used to disconnect and connect the devices from the USB wireless transmitter.

As for the batteries, they will not be consuming power when they are not being used.

 

[Lava King]

Hi jsquareg, I'll add my observations.

I have several wireless mice, well, 2 wireless and 2 bluetooth.

The oldest of them is a Logitech. It doesn't have a power switch on the bottom, it goes into a sleep mode after a period of inactivity. In a darkened room it's easy to see the led through the translucent bottom pulsing very dimly, waiting for any movement to awaken it. It runs on 2 AA batteries, but since I don't use it very often I don't know how long the batteries will last.

The other wireless mouse is part of a wireless mouse/keyboard combo. I used it for quite some time on my home theater computer. The mouse runs on 2 AA batteries which would last about 6 months or so in daily use. This mouse also would sleep after a period of inactivity, but it requires a button press or rolling the scroll wheel to awaken. This is a very inexpensive no-name brand setup that I got at Wal-Mart.

Currently in use on my home theater computer is a bluetooth mouse/keyboard by Rocketfish from Best Buy. I got it because the wireless mouse was right at the edge of its range so was not 100% reliable, range is not a problem for the bluetooth devices. The mouse has a power switch on the bottom, but I never turn it off. It also sleeps, but simply moving it will wake it up. Two AA batteries power it for about 5 or 6 months.

Last but not least, I have a bluetooth Razer gaming mouse for my MacBook Pro. It has a very aggressive sleep mode (about 5-7 seconds of inactivity) that can be a frustrating since there is a slight delay before it wakes. I don't use it on a regular basis so I'm unsure of the battery life.

So, to echo what Seavixen32 said earlier, the operating system can't turn off the wireless mouse and keyboard. The user can, if the device is equipped with a power switch. However, even the switchless designs have a decent battery life during "average" usage. Your mileage, of course, may vary.

And by the way, I prefer the dry cell powered devices over rechargeable, when the device unexpectedly goes dead it's just so much easier to pop a couple of fresh batteries in than to wait for a recharge.

 

[Bertison]

Hello again jsquareg

Sorry I did not reply before. Basically, everything Seavixen and Lavaking have told you is correct. I do endorse the advice to not use rechargeable batteries in your Wls mouse & KB. I do not have a technical explanation for this, merely the fact that in use, standard AA batteries last longer. Much longer in fact, in my case I installed R/c batteries twice and could get no more than 2-3 days from them, whilst standard ones have lasted up to 8 months.

I have the same experience with my digital camera, which is an ancient but dependable Vivitar and does like to eat R/c batteries!

I had thought that there might be a way, within the BIOS settings, to achieve a switch-off, but this is in fact not possible. The batteries do not draw any power when the PC is off. However, I am sure that some wls. mice must draw a tiny amount when the PC is on, even if the device is not being handled. The optical light receiver is still lit, which means that some power must be drawn.

However, this would be so small a drain as to be negligible. As I said, if I am not going to use the PC (holiday, etc.) I switch both devices off via the switches underneath.

Don't let any of this put you off buying a wls. setup: they really are a boon, less cables festooned across your desk!

 

[jsquareg]

Thanks Bertison.

I didn't know batteries ever DREW power execept when being charged! . Of course, two in parallel if one is weak will draw current from the one holding the greater charge. (At least I think that is correct.)

Thanks again.