Got the cursor back using another USB port, and tried a couple of different mice in the original "faulty" port with no luck. Kept getting message "device not recognised", but thought I would have one last ditch attempt by plugging a USB extender (with 4 ports) into the "faulty" port, and guess what? The mouse now functions plugged into the USB extender. Perhaps someone can explain how that is possible?

It might be that both the computer USB port and your mouse cable end are both worn just enough to not connect well whereas the extender port and cable ends are new.

Just now, dddave said:

It might be that both the computer USB port and your mouse cable end are both worn just enough to not connect well whereas the extender port and cable ends are new.

The mouse has been in the same USB port since the computer was new, around 3 years ago, so it's not like either connection has had any wear and tear.

Switch your machine off, unplug it and clean the USB connection with alcohol ( don't drink too much while doing it) and you should be fine. 

What does device manager show when the mouse is plugged into that faulty us port?

 

Maybe you could uninstall the USB drivers in device manager and then reboot the PC, the drivers will reinstall themselves and see if that helps.

You might also try this:

 

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-windows-10-turning-usb-devices

11 hours ago, userabcd said:

What does device manager show when the mouse is plugged into that faulty us port?

 

Maybe you could uninstall the USB drivers in device manager and then reboot the PC, the drivers will reinstall themselves and see if that helps.

The USB port is working, but only when I use the USB extender for some reason. If I plug the mouse into the "faulty" port it doesn't work, but plug in the extender and then plug the mouse into that, then it works. It's a mystery.

4 hours ago, giddyup said:

he USB port is working, but only when I use the USB extender for some reason.

I don't think this is a hardware issue... it's more likely that the mouse is conflicting with other USB devices when that port is used.

For some reason, the USB hub uses the same resource the mouse did and the mouse (in the hub) uses a different resource because of the redirection from the hub... I think!

 

I've had similar issues myself and a bit of USB 'juggling' eventually clears things up!

32 minutes ago, killerbeez said:

I don't think this is a hardware issue... it's more likely that the mouse is conflicting with other USB devices when that port is used.

For some reason, the USB hub uses the same resource the mouse did and the mouse (in the hub) uses a different resource because of the redirection from the hub... I think!

 

I've had similar issues myself and a bit of USB 'juggling' eventually clears things up!

If a powered USB hub is connected to a computer USB port, power negotiation and control will be passed to the hub. If a computer USB port controller is having problems with power control, a powered hub sometimes fixes the problem.