i like a simple ps/2 compatible optical mouse with a good sized footprint. my last microsoft intellimouse gave out last year and i tried sourcing a couple used models that looked immaculate on the outside, but were completely trashed. i found a NOS microsoft basic optical mouse v2 (model 1113) in new packaging that is very close to my intellimouse. the problem is that after all these years sitting unopened i think the plastic pieces have shrunk and now every click unleashes a cacophony of noise.

i tried living with it for the better part of a year hoping that repeated use would flex the plastic and the intensity of the creaks would subside, but it's still making as much noise as ever. i have to think this is a prevalent problem for NOS mice (certainly this model). are there any tricks for dealing with this...maybe a dampener or lubricant of some kind? or am i stuck with looking for another nos or actual new ps/2 compatible mouse (that isn't compact in size)?