So if you have been following along, you know I have had mouse and keyboard issues with my Linux home server. Well I've had time to do more testing with the mouse (a Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500).
I booted the computer to WIndows to update, in case I ever HAD to use Windows. The mouse worked normally for a fraction of a second before the buttons stopped clicking like it sometimes does under Linux. (It always moves the mouse pointer just fine.)
I was using software KVM (Barrier). when the mouse acted up again, it also affected the Windows trackpad buttons. After disconnecting from the KVM, after either a long time of waiting, or rebooting, the Windows trackpad works normally again.
I tried the mouse on another Windows notebook. It clicked normally until the software finished setting up the mouse, then the buttons (and trackpad) stopped clicking on that computer as well. And the trackpad again would not work until I rebooted (I was impatient and didn't try to wait).
I'm planning to just get rid of the mouse, but this sounds more like a software issue since it normally works for probably averaging about 40 minutes under Linux, and multiple Windows attempts it immediately stops clicking..
Now that I've replaced the mouse and keyboard, I will see if the old (but excellent) keyboard works, or if it was just the mouse causing problems.