Ethernet adapter interfering with Mouse

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Guest

I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky. I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter. Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth. It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter. But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue. I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16. But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter. I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line? I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
 
I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky.  I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter.  Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth.  It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter.  But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue.  I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16.  But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter.  I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line?  I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
Click to expand...


Have you tried using a wireless mouse? I had a similar problem a
while ago and I solved it using a wireless mouse. I guess this may
not be an option for everyone.

Hope this helps.
 
Check to see if there is a newer version
of the Intel Pro/1000 PL driver available
from the laptop manufacture's web site.
 
I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky. I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter. Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth. It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter. But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue. I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16. But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter. I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line? I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's possible to enable/disable your network adapter as part of your
startup process even though this is a clumsy solution. If you cannot resolve
the issue in a more elegant way then I would like you to post the exact name
of your network adapter. You will find it in the Control Panel / Network
Connections in the column headed "Device Name". As an example, the name of
my adapter is "Broadcom NetXtreme Fast Ethernet".
 
Check to see if there is a newer version
of the Intel Pro/1000 PL driver available
from the laptop manufacture's web site.
Click to expand...

I did update to the latest Intel Pro/1000 PL driver, but it didn't
help.
 
Yes, it's possible to enable/disable your network adapter as part of your
startup process even though this is a clumsy solution. If you cannot resolve
the issue in a more elegant way then I would like you to post the exact name
of your network adapter. You will find it in the Control Panel / Network
Connections in the column headed "Device Name". As an example, the name of
my adapter is "Broadcom NetXtreme Fast Ethernet".
Click to expand...

It is called "Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection"
 
Hi
If it is a desktop, open it and try to insert the Network adaptor into
another Slot.
That usually changes the IRQ assingnment.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
 
Jack \(MVP-Networking\). said:
Hi
If it is a desktop, open it and try to insert the Network adaptor into
another Slot.
That usually changes the IRQ assingnment.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
Click to expand...

What part of "on my laptop" were you having trouble understanding?
 
After you disable & enable the netcard, does it use same interrupt
number as if enabled before reboot?
What is CPU usage % when mouse is jerky and when isn't?

Regards,
--pa
 
I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky.  I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter.  Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth.  It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter.  But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue.  I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16.  But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter.  I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line?  I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
Click to expand...

Have you ever installed or updated the motherboard chipset drivers?
The chipset drivers are a collection of important drivers that tell
Windows XP how to correctly access the motherboard component. One
important driver contains the IRQ request control. This could help.
 
I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky. I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter. Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth. It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter. But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue. I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16. But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter. I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line? I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
Click to expand...

What is the make and model of laptop? Have you checked whether there is an
updated BIOS available? Also, the manufacturers support site for any info
(in case there's a known issue)?
 
Have you ever installed or updated the motherboard chipset drivers?
The chipset drivers are a collection of important drivers that tell
Windows XP how to correctly access the motherboard component.  One
important driver contains the IRQ request control.  This could help.
Click to expand...

I just tried updating to the latest chipset driver, and it did not
help.
 
What is the make and model of laptop?  Have you checked whether there is an
updated BIOS available?  Also, the manufacturers support site for any info
(in case there's a known issue)?
Click to expand...

It is a Thinkpad T60. I did upgrade to the latest BIOS, and that did
not help. I have posted about this problem to forums.lenovo.com and
also forum.thinkpad.com, and no one seems to have heard of this
problem. A google search about this problem also really doesn't turn
up anything. It really does seem like a bizarre problem.
 
I have tried 2 different mice (a Logitech and a Microsoft) on my
laptop running Windows XP Pro SP3, and both of them were jerky.  I
finally traced the problem to the built-in ethernet adapter.  Once I
go into the Device Manager and disable the Intel Pro/1000 PL network
adapter, then the mouse will be smooth.  It will still be smooth even
if I subsequently re-enable the network adapter.  But if I restart
Windows with the network adapter enabled, then the mouse will be jerky
again.

Not sure what's going on here, maybe it's a resource issue.  I noticed
that the network adapter is on IRQ 16, and one of the USB Universal
Host Controllers is also on IRQ 16.  But Windows won't let me change
any of the resource settings for the mouse or the network adapter.  I
also tried a different USB port and still had the same problem.

Any idea on how to fix this?

If not, then is there a way to disable and enable devices from the
command line?  I'll just have a script disable and re-enable the
network adapter on startup.
Click to expand...

Does the touch pad mouse work okay?

Do you have the same problem when running on battery (no AC power is
plugged in)?
 
Does the touch pad mouse work okay?
Click to expand...

Yeah, when using the touchpad, the mouse pointer moves very smoothly,
no matter what.

Do you have the same problem when running on battery (no AC power is
plugged in)?
Click to expand...

That's actually how I discovered that it is the ethernet adapter
causing the problem. I first noticed the jerky mouse while having the
AC adapter plugged in. Then I noticed that the mouse pointer would
move smoothly if I unplugged the AC adapter and ran off the battery.
That's because the network adapter is set up to be turned off if the
laptop is running on the battery.
 
IMHO you should complain to Lenovo.

--pa


Yeah, when using the touchpad, the mouse pointer moves very smoothly,
no matter what.



That's actually how I discovered that it is the ethernet adapter
causing the problem. I first noticed the jerky mouse while having the
AC adapter plugged in. Then I noticed that the mouse pointer would
move smoothly if I unplugged the AC adapter and ran off the battery.
That's because the network adapter is set up to be turned off if the
laptop is running on the battery.
Click to expand...
 
What is the make and model of laptop? Have you checked whether there is an
updated BIOS available? Also, the manufacturers support site for any info
(in case there's a known issue)?
Click to expand...

It is a Thinkpad T60. I did upgrade to the latest BIOS, and that did
not help. I have posted about this problem to forums.lenovo.com and
also forum.thinkpad.com, and no one seems to have heard of this
problem. A google search about this problem also really doesn't turn
up anything. It really does seem like a bizarre problem.
 
It is a Thinkpad T60.  I did upgrade to the latest BIOS, and that did
not help.  I have posted about this problem to forums.lenovo.com and
also forum.thinkpad.com, and no one seems to have heard of this
problem.  A google search about this problem also really doesn't turn
up anything.  It really does seem like a bizarre problem.
Click to expand...

Well I just got this laptop used off ebay (in great condition though,
no sign of any physical damage), and the warranty has already expired,
so I will not be able to open any support tickets with them.
 
After you disable & enable the netcard, does it use same interrupt
number as if enabled before reboot?
What is CPU usage % when mouse is jerky and when isn't?
Click to expand...

I was monitoring the other group, so I didn't see this post until now.

Interesting. I have the mouse being jerky right now. The network
adapter is on IRQ 16. And when I'm not moving the mouse, the CPU
shows 0% usage (on the Performance tab). When I move the mouse around
though, the CPU usage goes up to 20-30%. But the Processes tab
doesn't show any process that's taking up the CPU. The System Idle
Process stays at 99% usage when I move the mouse around.

Now I just disabled and re-enabled the network adapter. It's still on
IRQ 16. And the CPU doesn't go higher than 2% when I move the mouse
around.
 
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