I thought I was smart, so I placed the reciever for my MS cordless mouse and keyboard inside my case. The wires were ran through a serial port hole, and plugged in as usual. But when I started the computer, I almost couldn't move the mouse, and the keyboard didn't respond much either. Is this just because the case is made out of metal? My computer is on the first floor, and the keyboard and mouse works good even from the basement, so the reception is good. It would've been cool if it worked...
this may be completely wrong, however cases have sheilding to block certain kinds of radio signals so that may be it, however i may be wrong
Most cordless mice/keyboards work with FM frequencies. These frequencies don't pass through metal very well, ever tried to get a radio to work in an oven? you mostly get static and sometimes a very weak signal. It's the same with a PC case the radio signals have trouble penetrating the metal as most are reflected and so the mouse/keyboard won't work very well (if not at all). You mouse will work in the basement because there isn't anything hard enough to stop/reflect the signals, only the 'soft' floorboards. If you had a clearPC you'd be ok as plastic doesn't stop the signals