Ubuntu 8.10 and 9.04:

The MX510 should work more or less as you like it with these versions.

If you like to open a terminal with the "Logitech button" just do the following:

nano .xbindkeysrc

And write the following:

"/usr/bin/gnome-terminal"
b:10

Save, install xbindkeys ( sudo apt-get install xbindkeys ), and set xbindkeys to start by adding it to: System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications -> Add -> xbindkeys in all fields.

If you use Opera (version 9.64), you might like to have the thumb-buttons to browse back/(fast) forward. This is done the following way (Opera makes a backup on its own):

Tools -> Preferences -> Advanced -> Shortcuts -> Select "Opera Standard" -> Edit -> Applications -> New

Now you write "Button8" on the left field and "Back" on the right. Press New again, add "Button9" on the left and "Forward | Fast Forward" right. Press "OK" on both forms and everything should work.

Earlier versions:

0. Creating backup

First of all, run

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf~backup

If your system hangs, you can run

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf~backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf

to get x back.

1. Changing xorg.conf

cat /proc/bus/input/devices

and find the one with:

N: Name="Logitech USB-PS/2 Optical Mouse"

look at "Handlers", f.ex.

H: Handlers=mouse1 event4

note the number after event, (i.e. event4)

in xorg.conf:

gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

change

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Configured Mouse"
        Driver          "mouse"
        Option          "CorePointer"
        Option          "Device"        "/dev/input/mice"
        Option          "Protocol"      "ImPS/2"
        Option          "ZAxisMapping"  "4 5"
        Option          "Emulate3Buttons"       "true"
EndSection

to

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Configured Mouse"
        Driver          "evdev"
        Option          "CorePointer"
        Option          "Device"        "/dev/input/event4"
        Option          "Protocol"      "ImPS/2"
        Option          "Buttons"       "10"
        Option          "ZAxisMapping"  "4 5"
        Option          "Emulate3Buttons"       "true"
EndSection

(Changed Driver to "evdev", changed "Device" to "/dev/input/[THE EVENT FROM EARLIER]" added Option "Buttons" "10")

Restart x by logging out and back in, or typing sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart, and everything should work. If you can't get back in to gnome, you could revert from backup as stated above and run sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart If everything works continue to the next step.

2. Mapping the keys

Install xvkbd and xbindkeys sudo apt-get install xvkbd xbindkeys and make the ~/.xbindkeysrc file: gedit ~/.xbindkeysrc write

"/usr/X11R6/bin/xvkbd -xsendevent -text "\[Alt_L]\[Left]""
  m:0x0 + b:6
"/usr/X11R6/bin/xvkbd -xsendevent -text "\[Alt_R]\[Right]""
  m:0x0 + b:7
"/usr/bin/gnome-terminal"
  b:8

and save. (enables back and forward. the last two lines makes the "logitech button" or whatever start a new terminal)

Then run

xbindkeys

and everything should work.

Then make xbindkeys start automatically:

System -> Preferences -> Sessions -> Add -> xbindkeys

(3. Eventual problems)

Some users have had problems with wrong mapping of the scroll-buttons. This can be solved with adding the following line to the "InputDevice" section in xorg.conf:

Option "ButtonMapping" "1 2 3 4 5 9 10 8 6 7"

Ending up with:

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier      "Configured Mouse"
        Driver          "evdev"
        Option          "CorePointer"
        Option          "Device"        "/dev/input/event4"
        Option          "Protocol"      "ImPS/2"
        Option          "Buttons"       "10"
        Option          "ZAxisMapping"  "4 5"
        Option          "Emulate3Buttons"       "true"
        Option "ButtonMapping" "1 2 3 4 5 9 10 8 6 7"
EndSection

To test witch buttons are mapped to what you can run the following command in a terminal:

xev | grep button

CategoryHardware