I live on a little island @ the top of Vancouver Island - 7 1/2 mile by boat, then some 200 miles to the closest Radio...

DENNIS,I have taken the trackball out of it's square housing. YOU MUST BE VERY GENTLE THROUGH-OUT THIS COMPLETE PROCESS. You can get hold of myself at mcmurdojohnston@gmail.com. Taking a medium sized safety pin,and drawing it on your leather belt ,making sure there is no bent tip on the pin point ,as this can damage the ball,or the "pick-ups" inside the housing.Gentley insert the pin between the ball and the soft yellowish circular housing. This must go no deeper than the depth of what you yourself can see on the unit. I use a 40-60 watt light,and hold the complete unit close to bulb. when your fingers get warm, that is enough warmth to make the ring ,Malible enough to pry it back away from the ball. You will not need to go much past the "half-way" mark of the circle.You will see the trackball becoming quite loose,at this point,you may put the pin a little deeper,and VERY GENTLEY LIFT ON YHE BALL. Now you will find quite a bit of lint etc. inside the cradle which holds the ball. I use part of a bamboo chop...

To all of us that are having the same problem-get hold of me after DEC. 17 Th, as I am going in for major surgery now, and we shall try an go thru the motherboard,together. Also not trying to be rude,but get hold of a few very small alligator clips, 4 - 6 of them, which you will keep in the freezer for "Heat Shunts" while soldering,the units on,if you do not already do so. I also at times, put my capacitors,and any sealed units,I am to solder on, put them in a zip-lock with 2-4 little sachets,or little barrels used in medical pills-vitamins ,etc, and put them in with the components,to keep the moisture down. DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE FREEZER FOR DAYS,AS SOME COMPONENTS DO HAVE FLUIDS OF A SORT, CONTAINED IN THEM ! Most Important. these can freeze and burst , or split the units, 15 - 20 minutes ,MAX, say no more. Talk Soon- Jon .E mail I will give you when we talk next,gang