Mouse Pointer keeps freezing

  • Thread starter Thread starter MarkW
  • Start date Start date
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MarkW

I have a odd problem that developed on my Windows XP system. My mouse
pointer frequently freezes while moving the mouse. It started
yesterday and the only thing I can think of is two programs I
installed. I first installed Norton Systemworks 2004. I didn't
notice it after this but as well I installed Norton Internet Security
2004 and that's when I began to notice it. I then heard about a lot of
problems with that program so uninstalled NIS 2004. On my 2nd
computer I installed Norton Systemworks 2004 but that's all and I'm
having no problems.
When I move the mouse it just will have a 1 second pause or so where
the pointer stops moving. Then it moves again. A few times it seems
to jump to the other side of the screen. Sometimes if I'm lucky it
goes a half minute without doing this where other times it may do it
every 2-3 seconds and it's obviously very annoying. I have the
Microsoft Optical Mouse. I don't believe the problem is the mouse
itself. I'm assuming that it's something running in the background
and that maybe it is something that NIS or even N.Systemworks
installed. Any ideas?
 
"MarkW" said in
When I move the mouse it just will have a 1 second pause or so where
the pointer stops moving. Then it moves again.
Click to expand...

Is it a cordless mouse? If so, and especially if you have replaced the
batteries lately, make sure to sync the cordless mouse to the receiver.
Press the connect button on the receiver and then on the mouse. I'm going
to assume that you have already tried replacing the batteries.

How long ago did you install the driver and software that came with the
mouse? I've found that unless you have the default mouse driver (the one
you got when you installed Windows and before you installed any specific
mouse software) set at its default settings then these can affect the
specific mouse software. Uninstall the mouse software. Uninstall the mouse
in Device Manager (you'll have to use the keyboard after this). Reboot.
Check if the mouse gets detected as a standard PS/2 mouse (preferred). Open
the Mouse applet in Control Panel and make sure all settings are at their
default. The movement speed slider should be at the halfway position,
acceleration turned off, snap or smart jumping turned off, setup as a
right-handed mouse (even if you will be using it as a left-hand mouse), and
so forth. At this point, there is a question of whether it is better to
reboot into Safe Mode or install the mouse software in normal mode.
Reinstall the mouse software, reboot, and check if the mouse movement is
better.

Male mice have a ball (only one). Female mice don't. If it is an optical
male mouse, presumably you have all removed the ball, cleaned it, and
removed any crud from the rollers inside. Use an air can to blow out the
insides to ensure there isn't some debris interferring with the LED sensor.

Go into Device Manager, right-click on the mouse and select Properties, and
see if upping the sampling rate helps. You could also try upping the buffer
size.
I'm assuming that it's something running in the background
and that maybe it is something that NIS or even N.Systemworks
installed. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I've had Norton Systemworks and Norton Internet Security install on 3 home
computers and never had them interfere with the mouse.

Have you tried using msconfig.exe to disable all startup programs to see if
the mouse works okay then? If so, reenable the startup programs one at a
time, reboot, and check when and if the erratic mouse movement reappears.
 
I have a odd problem that developed on my Windows XP system. My mouse
pointer frequently freezes while moving the mouse. It started
yesterday and the only thing I can think of is two programs I
installed. I first installed Norton Systemworks 2004. I didn't
notice it after this but as well I installed Norton Internet Security
2004 and that's when I began to notice it. I then heard about a lot of
problems with that program so uninstalled NIS 2004. On my 2nd
computer I installed Norton Systemworks 2004 but that's all and I'm
having no problems.
When I move the mouse it just will have a 1 second pause or so where
the pointer stops moving. Then it moves again. A few times it seems
to jump to the other side of the screen. Sometimes if I'm lucky it
goes a half minute without doing this where other times it may do it
every 2-3 seconds and it's obviously very annoying. I have the
Microsoft Optical Mouse. I don't believe the problem is the mouse
itself. I'm assuming that it's something running in the background
and that maybe it is something that NIS or even N.Systemworks
installed. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

What you describe here is identical to what I had when I bought a
Labtec Optical Mouse. Jerky movement, freezing, then inexplicably
jumping to the side.

I got rid of the mouse-mat, and gave the desk surface a good clean.
Absolutely no problems since then. In fact I now have one on both my
PC's and no probs with either. Had a word with the guy in the PC shop
across from work (who we do a lot of deals with) and he said he'd had
similar reports from other buyers, and removing the mouse mat
(especially multi-coloured ones) fixed it. Said he'd heard a matt
black surface was best. I'm running one on matt black, the other on
matt grey.

Might not be the fix for you, but worth trying. (The mouse I have is
optical, but has a cord).

DaveB
 
I assumed it was a problem with software and that it was one of those
Norton programs but yet I do wonder if it's the mouse. I have a spare
mouse around here, nonoptical, so will try that. The mouse isnt' the
wireless version though.
I did take the microsoft CD and reinstalled the driver and software
for it today but am still having the same problems. I had previously
installed it about 6 months ago when I bought this mouse. I will try
your suggestion about removing and reinstalling the software.
I will try blowing air on it as well.
Have you tried using msconfig.exe to disable all startup programs to
see if
 
I think you hit on the problem. I am using a mousepad and maybe I
should have gotten rid of it but I cleaned it very well. As well, I
sprayed the mouse with air underneath and it must have been some dust
that got into it. It's working now. Of course I spent all yesterday
pulling my hair out installing, removing Norton, etc. :) I just
assumed since I had just installed that that there was a connection
but it's working fine now.
 
I assumed it was a problem with software and that it was one of those
Norton programs but yet I do wonder if it's the mouse. I have a spare
mouse around here, nonoptical, so will try that. The mouse isnt' the
wireless version though.
I did take the microsoft CD and reinstalled the driver and software
for it today but am still having the same problems. I had previously
installed it about 6 months ago when I bought this mouse. I will try
your suggestion about removing and reinstalling the software.
I will try blowing air on it as well.
Click to expand...

Some of their mice were known to have a problem with the cord, it breaks
internally where it meets the mouse. Microsoft has or had a replacement
program, more details here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=1241849
 
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