No mouse pointer in Windows Desktop

[ZeroOneB]

Hi!

I'm playing around with setting up a headless Gaming-PC that I operate only via the Steam Link (Beta firmware track because of the VirtualHere stuft). So far everything is great but I have one issue.
I have a Logitech Bluetooth adapter for mouse / keyboard attached to the Link and eben I "minimize to desktop" they both work butI have no visible mouse pointer.
I do have a mouse pointer in Big Picture mode though, but not in the Windows desktop.

I also want to use the machine as a "regular desktop" sometimes, so I like to solve that issue somehow.

If I connect tbrough the VirtualHere client the mouse pointer works, but than I cant use the Xbox One wireless dongle without a VirtualHere license and I cant use the mouse/keyboard to wake up the Link.

I know thats not a common setup but maybe someone can help me bring back my mouse pointer :) I'm happy about every suggestion or idea.

[ZeroOneB]

I solved the problem.

Windows doesn't show the mouse cursor when no mouse is physically attached to the host system.
dirty workaround - I plugged in an old USB mouse that I never use just to let the system show the cursor.
less dirty warkaround - I turned on "mouse keys" in the accessability options of Win10 - that trick also turns on the mouse cursor as a side effect, even if no mouse is attached.

So - all my problems are solved and my completely headless gaming-server that I can occasionally use as a Desktop machine is up and running :)

[Moo]

Thanks for posting the fix/issue! Helped Me!!!!

[TechAss Davy]

Sir, you are a lifesaver. Thanks!

[Cleric]

Encountered the same problem/fix. Maybe a suggestion for Steam, but there are a number of things, similar to this, that could have been much more clear. Before buying, I read through the product description several times, but then I encountered several these snags after getting it. I was surprised how many gaps I had to close myself that didn't seem intuitive based on the Product's Description. Upon searching, I'm noticing that many of these are more common topics. I still would have bought one in hindsight, but the limitations/nuances/how to best use it/etc. could have been more clearly advertised. A lot of time could have been saved by improving transparency.

(Other examples of issues that seem more common: the Windows Lock Screen & Startup login screen - config options, WiFi FPS wasn't as good as advertised, TV/comp inputs get out of sync sometimes, mouse pointer can becomes offset from real pointer...so you see two, how the controllers page scroll wheel's up/down change direction depending on what program you're using, etc.)

[yungzakkuza]

If your Mouse Keys doesn't work even after you've enabled it from Control Panel, simply unplug your mouse and do Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock to enable it to work.

[GuRu Asaki]

Wow, I didn't even know that was a thing, good to know...

Thanks...

However, I don't seem to have to worry about that myself...

I do use Keyboard on my STEAM Link, however, I use the STEAM Controller as

my mouse on my STEAM Link... Where as my actual mouse, is connected to my PC...


I guess, that means i'll have to remember to never connect my Mouse to my STEAM Link...

[-=Cloud Windfoot Omega=-]

Its a limitation with windows, not something that steam can actually fix without an aditional clinet based driver which tricks windows into thinking it has a physical mouse attached

just get a seperate mouse for your steamlink and you are fine.

[GuRu Asaki]

Well ectually, I thought it was the way the two devices emulates or streams the Hardware...

Like, it is an issue with both devices, not just Windows...

But ya, if there are two Mouse availible, i'm not exactly sure how one mouse emulates or streams

another mouse... But somehow it works, ~_~


But whats weird is, doesn't a Keyboard work like a Mouse does?

Because... If you have 1 Mouse on a computer, & then plug another Mouse in...

1 mouse will overide the other mouse...

& I believe the Keyboard works the same way...

& unplugging the Devices makes both Devices unusable...


But somehow STEAM, manages a Keyboard, but not a mouse... Without one being conntect to

the PC... So confusing, haha...

[-=Cloud Windfoot Omega=-]

Originally posted by GuRu Asaki:

Well ectually, I thought it was the way the two devices emulates or streams the Hardware...

Like, it is an issue with both devices, not just Windows...

But ya, if there are two Mouse availible, i'm not exactly sure how one mouse emulates or streams

another mouse... But somehow it works, ~_~


But whats weird is, doesn't a Keyboard work like a Mouse does?

Because... If you have 1 Mouse on a computer, & then plug another Mouse in...

1 mouse will overide the other mouse...

& I believe the Keyboard works the same way...

& unplugging the Devices makes both Devices unusable...


But somehow STEAM, manages a Keyboard, but not a mouse... Without one being conntect to

the PC... So confusing, haha...

What happens is Windows needs a mouse connected to even create the pointer, if it does not see a mosue connected it will not even create a pointer. All steam does is feed inputs to the pointer which windows created when connectiong the first mouse.

no mouse attached to the client, windows assumes there is no mouse pointer needed. No mouse pointer means that steam cannot feed the pointer inputs.

A keyboard on the other hand works diffrently because there is no need to create a pointer.

[GuRu Asaki]

Right, but in some way... The Keyboard does have a pointer, though, doesn';t it?


I mean, even without a mouse, your Keyboard, can freely move through your desktop, as if it had a pointer, & it can select or highlight text... & do other things a Mouse is usually needed to do...



But I see your point...

[-=Cloud Windfoot Omega=-]

Originally posted by GuRu Asaki:

Right, but in some way... The Keyboard does have a pointer, though, doesn';t it?


I mean, even without a mouse, your Keyboard, can freely move through your desktop, as if it had a pointer, & it can select or highlight text... & do other things a Mouse is usually needed to do...



But I see your point...

no a keyboard has no pointer, that is just GUI traversal

[papasmurph]

Putting the USB dongle on the screen's USB shut it off when the screen was shut off. Now moved --> there's cursor again

[Jaskura Lunaris]

Originally posted by OBESE CHILD:

If your Mouse Keys doesn't work even after you've enabled it from Control Panel, simply unplug your mouse and do Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock to enable it to work.

Had this problem, thanks for the additional fix!

[Tschorltz]

Thanks, had the same problem and it works now :)

[Daniel_Laney]

I fixed it to work with Civ V & VI. On the tv app I turned off desktop mode. Now I know this is no use for if you want to see the desktop on your TV. But it gets the cursor back on the games.