Unstoppable mousepointer movement

Liqourice · Jun 2, 2008, 12:32 PM

The last week or so my mousepointer have started acting up. It begins by moving ever so slowly by itself and then faster and faster until everything is unusable and I have to reboot to fix it.

Mostly it moves from left to right but sometimes from the top and down.

I have no idea what's causing this and what to do about it. The only thing I know has been done lately is a windows update about a week ago, I don't recall this happening before that.

The problem seems to be starting when I have the desktop extended to my TV so maybe it's related to the graphics driver. Though, it's at least a month since I updated that so I don't see why it should start happening now.

I'm gonna try and update some drivers to see if that helps but I was hoping that maybe someone knows what this is?

Oh, and Windows XP Pro SP2

**Vikingod** · Jun 2, 2008, 01:36 PM

I would try reinstalling your drivers. I've experienced very similar issues with Logitech mice in the past, usually updating the drivers fixed things. If you've recently added another USB device that wasn't there before, it might also be the cuprit.

Tipstaff · Jun 2, 2008, 01:52 PM

Few questions: Is it a USB/PS2 mouse? Optical or laser, and what brand? What other devices do you have plugged into the computer (such as a tablet, what type of keyboard, printer, gaming controller, usb hub, memory card reader)

Here are a few things to try in the meantime:

- try a different mouse, or try unplugging your mouse to see if it stops moving
- if it's a USB mouse, try a different port
- try uninstalling/reinstalling your mouse software if you have some installed. If it's a Logitech mouse, and you don't have the software installed for it you can try going to their website to get the software for your mouse to see if this corrects things
- it might also be worth removing, and then redetecting your mouse via Device Manager (done by going into Device Manager, expand "Mouse and Pointing Devices", right-click and remove the mouse, and then from the menu at the top go to "Action", and "Scan for hardware changes")

IEMC · Jun 2, 2008, 02:26 PM

If it's a laser / optical mouse, it might be the surface you're using it on. Try taping a piece of solid colored paper onto your desk as a mouse pad, and if it stops indefinitely, you'll know why.

Liqourice · Jun 2, 2008, 02:52 PM

No, it has nothing to do with the surface because it doesn't matter what I do with the mouse, it doesn't stop moving.

It's a logitech MX518 and it's connected through PS/2.

I have not added any USB devices lately and I haven't updated the drivers from logitech, and if I check for updates there are none.

But, I'll try to remove those drivers and see what happens.

IEMC · Jun 2, 2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liqourice

No, it has nothing to do with the surface because it doesn't matter what I do with the mouse, it doesn't stop moving.

It's a logitech MX518 and it's connected through PS/2.

I have not added any USB devices lately and I haven't updated the drivers from logitech, and if I check for updates there are none.

But, I'll try to remove those drivers and see what happens.

I didn't mean it will only screw up if you're moving it or not.

I had an old optical that would flip out even with no one using it.

At least try it and don't dismiss it.

Tipstaff · Jun 2, 2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IEMC

I didn't mean it will only screw up if you're moving it or not.

I had an old optical that would flip out even with no one using it.

At least try it and don't dismiss it.

It's actually a good suggestion. Laser mice are particularly picky with very dark (where the laser light is absorbed), or very light/reflective surfaces.

It's funny, actually. I've seen people buying all these fancy mouse pads that have fantastic art on them, and right off the bat I know that if they are using an optical or laser mouse that they are going to have problems because of the darker parts of the image.

@Liqourice: I assume you are using the USB to PS2 adapter, but have you tried tried plugging it in directly via USB? Also, does this issue occur when you are using it at it's highest and lowest sensitivity settings too?

BlueMak · Jun 3, 2008, 07:05 AM

There used to be some old viruses that would cause similar behaviour. Do you regularly update your antivirus solution and scan?

Liqourice · Jul 4, 2008, 05:53 AM

Well, I ended up reinstalling everything since I had some nasty recurring BSOD's as well.

I'm pretty sure my system was infected with something that Avast did not detect but I've moved to Nod32 instead now. So far so good, my system has been rock solid since the reinstallation.

I just hate having to do it, it takes days to get everything back to how I want it.

***craig5320*** · Jul 4, 2008, 06:12 AM

Yea, but that fresh buzz and zippyness of a clean install always makes it up for it.

Glad you got it sorted.

Checkout AVG for virus software I love it. Worked great in XP and works great in Vista, you can even use their free edition.

Liqourice · Jul 6, 2008, 05:56 AM

I will never use AVG again. Used it before and it missed a seriously bad virus that messed my system up and forced me to do a complete format. I couldn't uninstall anything, the registry was completely screwed up. I had to try 4 different virus scanners, running from another harddrive, before any of them found the virus but sadly enough it didn't help. So, I don't trust AVG anymore.

BlueMak · Jul 6, 2008, 12:33 PM

You sude do get many viruses, don't you? Perhaps you should be more careful where you visit.

Have you tried Antivir? Very good anti virus solution.

Liqourice · Jul 6, 2008, 06:37 PM

Haha, not really.. I've just had bad luck. In 25 years I've had 3 infections, the last two in the last year. The first of those I'm sure came from a brand new USB stick. The last I have no idea...

Many have recommended Nod32 so I'm trying that out.