Re-occuring mouse problem

Hi!

I'm sorry, I wasn't too sure if I should post this in software or hardware.

My mouse has a mind of it's own, and will wonder across my screen. It could be sitting on the mouse pad, and I see it move on the screen. Or, I could be using the mouse when it suddenly jumps around the screen, and I end up clicking on the close button, when I originally had it set on a clickable link.

What I've tried;
I exchanged the mouse a while back when the computer (etc.,) was still under warranty by the shop, and still had the same problem. I changed mouse pads, bought a plain black one that stated optical friendly. Still having problems. I tried from another post, something about inserting my XP cd in, and having the computer figure it out. That worked temporarily. Any solutions? What is causing this? Not a major problem just a little annoying.

Thanks!


PS
Not that familiar with the workings of the computer, so requesting instructions suited for a dummy, lol. Appreciated!

 

Your mouse drive is most likely the culprit. If it is a USB mouse device, then also the USB driver may be in question as to being bad maybe also.

 

Have you scanned it for malicious software? Sounds like one of those supposedly 'joke' things someone has loaded to the system.

 

Hi! Is there an easy way to check this on my computer? Thanks!

 

Hi! Yes, I frequently update and scan my computer with various programs. I haven't had any problems, nor suspicious changes. These are what I have installed on my computer;

AVG AntiVirus
ZoneAlarm Firewall
Adaware SE
Spybot Search and Destroy
Spyware Blaster
Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows Defender

Thank you.

 

Assuming you have Windows XP do the following.

1. Start
2. Control Panel
3. System
4. Click on the "Hardware"
5. Device Manager
6. Click the + next to "Mouse and other pointing devices"
7. Right click on the devices and select "Uninstall"

After uninstalled restart your computer by pressing ALT + F4 on your keyboard. Eventually the Windows Shutdown screen should appear if not just press and hold the power button on your computer.

 

>> My mouse has a mind of it's own, and will wonder across my screen. I changed mouse pads, bought a plain black one that stated optical friendly. Still having problems. <<Oooops

Sometimes certain mouse pads cause this problem and don't work [even black mouse pads], if the surface you use is even just a tiny bit reflective, the optical sensor on the mouse won’t know how to react.

It might help to diagnose this problem, if you tell us the exact name, brand, model number, etc. Some types of mice will have more of these "erratic movement" problems than others. First thing to do is try another mouse - swap your mouse with another different one. If it is a new mouse, then visit the manufacturer’s website and install the very latest drivers. Many mice seem "new" [right out of the packaging], but the software can actually be old and outdated.

Have you checked out your mouse settings in the control panel? Options to look for are things like "sensitivity" or "pointer speed". Review the button assignments to make sure that they're correct. Sometimes certain mouse drivers [after installing them, I mean] will add additional configuration options; like allowing the mouse automatically move to point at things that the computer anticipates you want to work with. This is often called something like "snap-to" navigation or something similar.

Did you recently upgrade, reinstall or repair Win XP? The problem might actually be your computer. You could try updating your BIOS - if the erratic behavior actually started after installing or upgrading to Windows 2000 or Windows XP, check this article from Microsoft Support:

MSKB Article ID: 256043 Mouse Jumps or Behaves Erratically after Installing Win 2000 or Win XP

There's also a slight possibility something malicious is installed on your system. I have heard that there is a virus out right now that makes mice do this. It’s called something like: Worm.A.Parkinson [sp?], although it's more likely that it is just a problem with your mouse, the software that came with it or Windows XP than any virus; since you stated that you frequently update and scan the computer with various programs.

Good Luck!

 

Hi!

Sorry for bringing up an old thread, but my wandering mouse problem is back. Thanks to all that have tried to help me. Any more ideas welcomed.


This is what I have tried so far;
- USB driver ok
- Scanned/Have installed on computer; Adaware, Spybot, AVG AntiVirus, Spywareblaster, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and Windows Defender
- Re-installed the mouse
- Checked mouse settings
- Downloaded latest "Intellipoint 5.5" directly from Microsoft website

The computer is a year and half old, put together at a small computer shop. They installed XP Home on it, I haven't reformatted or anything (don't know how, lol). (It's not a laptop, if that helps as well?).

I brought the problem to the computer shops attention a while back, and they told me they tested both the computer and mouse and found nothing wrong, but exchanged the mouse for another one anyways. Same type. Experience the same problem. I'm on my 3rd mouse pad, this one is just a basic black "optical friendly" pad.

The mouse is a black
Microsoft Basic Optical Wheel Mouse
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=008
Thank you in advance!

 

Try the suggestions HERE.


Some people have had problems with Micro$$oft meece, so try another mouse and surface. http://www.visibone.com/color/optical_mice.html

 

Can anyone else get the rest of this page to appear? lol I can see the "Symptoms", but nothing else in the list. If I click on "Cause" for example, it just moves lower in the page where it's blank. Ho hum, lol.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q321122

Everything else seems to be fine, I'll try without the "special" mouse pad and see how it goes. I'd hate to get rid of this mouse as it works just fine. Ahem, most of the time, lol.

 

SYMPTOMS
When you are using a Microsoft Mouse or Microsoft IntelliMouse, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms: • The pointer may move erratically.


• The pointer may not respond when you move the pointing device.


• Button clicks may have no effect.


• The pointing device may stop working after a few minutes of use.


• Some options or tabs may be unavailable in the Mouse tool in Control Panel.


• If you connect a Microsoft Plug and Play Serial Mouse, Microsoft EasyBall, or Microsoft IntelliMouse to your computer, the new device may not be detected by Microsoft Windows. Running the Add New Hardware Wizard does not resolve the issue.

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CAUSE
This behavior may occur if files from a previous installation of a pointing device are still on the computer.
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RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, create a System Restore point or backup your registry, remove the device software, remove associated registry keys, remove the device items from the Device Manager, and then reinstall the IntelliMouse pointing device. To do this, follow these steps:

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

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Create a System Restore Point or Backup Registry
Use the appropriate method for your version of Windows.
Windows XP
1. Press CTRL and ESC, use the ARROW keys to locate All Programs, and then press ENTER.
2. Use the ARROW keys to locate Accessories.
3. Use the ARROW keys to locate System Tools.
4. Use the ARROW keys to locate System Restore, and then press ENTER.
5. Use the ARROW keys to locate Create a restore point, and then press ENTER.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore point.

Windows 2000 or Windows 98
1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32 in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet
3. On the Registry menu, click Save Key.
4. In the File name box, type a unique name for the key.
5. In the Save In box, click a location for the file, and then click Save.
6. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

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Remove IntelliMouse or Logitech Software
1. Press CTRL+ESC.
2. Use the ARROW keys to locate Control Panel, and then press ENTER.
3. In Control Panel, use the ARROW keys to locate Add or Remove Programs, and then press ENTER.
4. Use the ARROW keys to locate any IntelliPoint and Logitech software, press TAB to locate Remove, and then press ENTER.

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Remove Registry Keys
1. Press CTRL+ESC.
2. Use the ARROW keys to browse to Run, and then press ENTER.
3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then press ENTER.
4. Use the ARROW keys to browse to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96F-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
5. Use the ARROW keys to locate each subkey. Each subkey has a four-digit number. In the right pane, view the DriveDesc line. If the information to the right of the DriveDesc line indicates any kind of mouse, press DELETE to remove only that subkey. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
6. Use the ARROW keys to browse to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{745A17A0-74D3-11D0-B6FE-00A0C90F57DA}
7. Use the ARROW keys to locate each subkey. Each subkey has a four-digit number. In the right pane, view the DriveDesc line. If the information to the right of the DriveDesc line indicates any kind of mouse, press DELETE to remove only that subkey. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
8. Use the ARROW keys to locate the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\*pnp 0f13
9. Use the ARROW keys to select the *pnp 0f13 file, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
10. Use the ARROW keys to locate the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\hid#VID_045E&PID_####

where #### is a number, such as 0009.
11. Press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
12. Repeat steps 10 through 11 to delete each of the following keys, if they are present on your computer: • VID_045E&PID_0009="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse"
• VID_045E&PID_001E="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer"
• VID_045E&PID_0023="Microsoft USB Trackball Optical"
• VID_045E&PID_0024="Microsoft USB Trackball Explorer"
• VID_045E&PID_0025="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse with IntelliEye"
• VID_045E&PID_0029="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Web"
• VID_045E&PID_0039="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Optical"
• VID_045E&PID_0040="Microsoft USB Wheel Mouse Optical"
• VID_045E&PID_0047="Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0"
• VID_046D&PID_C000="Logitech USB First/Pilot Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C001="Logitech USB First/Pilot Mouse+"
• VID_046D&PID_C002="Logitech USB MouseMan Wheel"
• VID_046D&PID_C003="Logitech USB MouseMan"
• VID_046D&PID_C004="Logitech USB WingMan Gaming Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C005="Logitech USB WingMan Gaming Wheel Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C00B="Logitech USB MouseMan Wheel+"
• VID_046D&PID_C00C="Logitech USB WheelMouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C00D="Logitech USB MouseMan Wheel+"
• VID_046D&PID_C00E="Logitech USB Wheel Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C030="Logitech USB iFeel Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C031="Logitech USB iFeel Mouse+"
• VID_046D&PID_C032="Logitech USB iFeel MouseMan"
• VID_046D&PID_C033="Logitech USB iFeel MouseMan+"
• VID_046D&PID_C401="Logitech USB TrackMan Marble Wheel"
• VID_046D&PID_C402="Logitech USB Marble Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C403="Logitech USB Turbo TrackMan Marble FX"
• VID_046D&PID_C404="Logitech USB TrackMan Wheel"
• VID_046D&PID_C501="Logitech USB Cordless Mouse"
• VID_046D&PID_C502&MI_01&Col01="Logitech HID Cordless Mouse+"
• VID_046D&PID_C502&MI_01&Col04="Logitech HID Cordless Mouse+"

13. Use the ARROW keys to locate the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceClasses\{378de44c-56ef-11d1-bc8c-00a0c91405dd}
14. Press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

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Remove Devices from Device Manager
1. Press CTRL+ESC, use the ARROW keys to locate the Control Panel, and then press ENTER.
2. Use the ARROW keys to locate System, and then press ENTER.
3. Use the ARROW keys to locate the Hardware tab, use the TAB key to locate Device Manager, and then press ENTER.
4. Use the ARROW keys to locate Mice and Other Pointing Devices, and then press ENTER.
5. Click any pointing device that is related to IntelliMouse or USB, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the device.
7. Use the ARROW keys to locate Human Interface Devices, and then press ENTER.
8. Use the ARROW keys to select any device under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
9. Repeat step 8 until you have removed all of the devices.
10. Use the ARROW keys to locate Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
11. Use the ARROW keys to select any device that indicates Root Hub or Host Controller, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
12. Use the ARROW keys to locate Mice and Other Pointing Devices.
13. Use the ARROW keys to select any other devices under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

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Reinstall IntelliMouse Device
1. Plug your IntelliMouse device into your computer.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

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Insomniac, thanks a million! Wow, that's quite the list to go through to fix this. Do you think that I could handle such a detailed task, as a newbie, or should I just install a new mouse overtop? I may be in over my head.

 

PS
I tried without the "special" mouse pad, still wanders. If I just go and get another mouse, do you recommand any brands? Something similiar to what I already have as I don't need any special gagets for it.
Thanks!

 

Logitech are very good and usually reliable.

Try another surface also.

 

Will do. Much appreciated!

 

Just to update (an old post, sorry, may help others?)
I bought a new mouse, scrapped the Microsoft one and went with a different brand, solved my wandering problem! Even using my old mouse pad.

Logitech LX7 Cordless Mouse