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On Thu, 10 Feb 2011, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

> Hello,
> This is the second time I've played with BasicLInux, and I think I may
> be on my way to becoming a fan. After a successful LInux install on a
> slightly newer machine (the one I'm on right now, a ThinkPad 760XD,
> Pentium 166, 64mb, custom Ubuntu),  I decided to play with BasicLinux
> on my older ThinkPad 500 (486slc, 12mb) in preperation for a full
> install. The kernel loads fine, and the command line system works
> great. However, when X is launched, the TrackPoint doesn't work
> properly; it sticks to the edges, and whenever it is moved the drop
> down menu pops up. Does anyone know a work around?
> Thanks,
> Rob

Are you certain you set up the mouse in X the same on both laptops?
What is /dev/mouse linked to?   Are you using Xvesa or standard X?
If you are running 2-floppy BL3.5 did you set up X with PS/2 mouse?

Does the mouse work under DOS?  gpm mouse?  On our 600E the trackpad was 
broken and needed to be disabled (with a hex editor in BIOS setup).

You can use an external mouse (serial or PS/2).

In theory X can use keyboard keys as mouse (arrow mouse) but I could not 
figure out how.

"Thinkwiki - a guide to installing linux on a range of Thinkpad laptops"
Says the 500 came with 4MB RAM, 50MHz, 1 pcmcia slot.
The link to trackpoints seems to be generic and for newer models.

Link to Adam F. Clark 'Linux on the IBM Thinkpad'
http://peipa.essex.ac.uk/tp-linux/tp-linux.html
The 500 worked with VGA X server - WD 90C26A/LV. 
Can't find any mention of mouse problems.