Mouse freezes on Windows XP Pro

[skihouse]

I've started to have problems with my curser freezing, I have a optical mouse connected thru a USB port. I've had this operating with no problems for over a year. When the system freezes, I have to restart the computer to have it functional again. I have tried plugging in and using a standard mouse to move the curser, when the system locks up but it still doesn't help. Only a rebooth helps. There are time when the computer is on for hours and days without a problem, but then it will freeze act up again. Looking for any help.
Thank You,
Skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

Sounds like the mouse is a symptom of another issue.
Does your BIOS give you the CPU temp and fan speed?
Open the case and see if the CPU heatsink is clogged full of dust and all the openings to the case are not clogged.
Run " CHKDSK /R"
Try antivirus scans and Spyware/Adware scans to see if something in the background is causing the lockup.
Though, This really sounds like a hardware issue.


Make sure you are holding the case first to ground yourself. While the case is open and the computer has been running for awhile. Touch the harddrive and see if it is hot to the touch.(it is ok if it is warm)

Also try this. with the case open put a fan blowing into the opening and run the computer like normal this way for awhile and see if you have any lockups. if you don't then you know for sure it is heat related lockup

 

[tfg13]

Really don't think that it is a heat issue, as there are different varying times in which the PC is up, unless the location of the PC has a big difference in heat from one day to another/one hour to another.....

Depending upon the make/model of the hard drive, and the perception of the person, won't be able to tell if the hard-drive is "hot".

Are you running any programs when the PC locks up? Is your system up to date with all drivers, and updates? Have you run a spyware/adware detection tool and a virus scan? We need more info to assist you.....

 

[skihouse]

My system is up to date with all drivers and Microsoft updates. The desktop has been in the same location for at least two years without a problem,and without over heating. I find that the mouse freezes up when I'm not running any programs. I can be away from the system for hours without a problem,and other times I'll find where I can not use my mouse and the screen is frozen. Yes I have been running spyware/adware and virus scan on a weekly bassis. This morning I turned the computer on after being down all night only to find out ten minutes later that I could not move the curser. I had to re-start,It has been on for several hours now without a problem. I am currently running "CHKDSK /R".

skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

Bad ram will cause intermittent lockups too.

tfg13 heat issues vary and are flaky when they lock up a computer. I have a client right now with a Sony VAIO. it is only six months old and locks up in the same way as skihouse's computer. when I check the BIOS the CPU temp is running at around 145 degrees Farenheit. it is just at the threshold that it locks up at random times. there is absolutely no rhyme or reason when it happens. she is fortunate that Costco is going to swap the computer when she brings it in.
has for the hard drive, heat is an issue depending on location of the drive. I firmly believe if the drive is hot to the touch then alternate cooling needs to be in place for the drive. a hot drive can raise the CPU temp in the case and cause issues.

what screensaver are you using? does it lock up after the screensaver is in use? a graphic intense screensaver can cause heat issues and thirdparty screensaver's can toss alot of junk on the drive.

 

[skihouse]

Hi, I'm using the Microsoft Screen Saver,(3D Flower Box) which is a standard on XP. Just as a note, my curser has been doing fine since I ran "CHKDSK /R". I'm not saying this was a cure, because I have had days that the computer was running all day without a problem. Then for some reason I'll find the screen frozen after a couple of hours. There is no clue to when this happens. I'll keep monitoring it all day today to see if CHKDSK did the trick.
Thanks for all the help!
skihouse

 

[skihouse]

Bad news, it's 3 hours later, and I went back after dinner only to find screen frozen.

skihouse

 

[smah]

What you may see is that the mouse is not longer moving, but this is probably the effect, not the cause. Heat issues are a valid possibility, but there may be others. Go to Start, Run, eventvwr.msc, OK Check out what errors are shown at the time of the lockups.

Steve

 

[skihouse]

Hi, the errors at the times that the time of the lock ups show: ERROR - Service Control Manager.
skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

Need the whole error event ID not just the generic part of the error code?
Service Control Manager errors are usually related to any number of issues from failed drivers to a service that failed to start do missing or corrupt drivers to DCOM errors.
I don't think this error is locking up your computer.

I am gonna say I still believe this is a heat issue

 

[skihouse]

Hi firewolfrl, The event number related to the error was 7023 in every case the system froze.

skihouse

 

[skihouse]

Hi, I checked to make sure that both the power supply fan and the CPU fan were working properly and they both are.
skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

in the description part of the error message what does it say????

This error is usually a service that fails after startup. from what I could find it is just a warning.
I don't think the event log is going to help you because when you lock up the computer it also locks any recording to the event manager and no event message is generated why the computer locked up in the first place.

 

[skihouse]

Hi, The discription says "System Error Records"
The listings as follows:

Error -2/17/06 - 8.02pm -Service Control Manager =Category = none- event -2023 - user - N/A - Computer - Family

skihouise

 

[allteltec]

Keep in mind the only mouse you can plug in after boot is a usb mouse. If you are testing with a PC2 mouse it will only work if plugged in at boot time. Also when you have the case off look close at the caps on the mother board for bulging I have replace a couple mother boards that where locking up that had bulging or leaking bad caps.

 

[smah]

I agree with firewolfrl, this event is a warning after startup - after the problem has happened. If there no event viewer logs that relate to the problem occurence, then I also agree that this is a hardware level problem that stops all operating system functions.

Steve

 

[skihouse]

Hi, I'm only using a USB optical mouse. I had the cover off examining all the components for evidence of over heating and I can't see anything. If the unit was over heating wouldn't it be awhile before it would reboot? When it freezes I reboot and it starts right up and continues operating like nothing ever happened, this someimes last all day. It seems as long as I'm working on the system it never freezes. It seems to lock up when i'm not using it, I'll come by and find my curser frozen. This could happen hours after the machine has been turned on.

skihouse

 

[smah]

You won't neccessarily see anything for an overheating condtion to happen. If it only happens when you're away, you need to look into your power management settings. Also make sure your video card drivers are updated - something might be happening when the screensaver tries to run.

Steve

 

[firewolfrl]

try no screensaver and see if it locks up. or change the screensaver to 60 minutes to see if the computer locks up in between that time.

 

[1abcdefgh]

Hi,

I had mouse the same freezing problem and I found was a heat problem,

Why not try as suggested = Take off the side panel and use your fan to blow over the computer mother board = This is a easy way to eliminate this possibility