Solution:
When the problem occurs (faulty or non-installation for generic USB mice),
leave it as it is and go to 'Control Panel', go to 'System and Maintenance'
and then 'Device Manager', you should see an 'unrecognised device'. Right
click and select 'update driver', select search your own computer, select the
tick box for 'compatible devices', select 'HID-compatible mouse' and the
device will immediately start to work. Then...
When working, connect to the internet and go back to Device Manager (if you
want to sort out the USB Browser Mouse problem completely) and under 'Mice
and other pointing devices' you will see your newly installed HID compliant
mouse, right click again and select 'update driver', this time it will search
online and re-install a non-faulty 'USB Browser Mouse' driver? (one which
somehow works this time) and it will then work well - or just leave it with
the 'HID-compatible mouse' driver (works just as well - 'HID' just being the
standard for compliant USB 'Human Interface Devices' / HID).
Best regards,
jon