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

 

[skihouse]

I set the screensaver to 60 minutes, seemed to work for a good long time (3 hours). I tried running a virus scan to eliminate any other problems. About a 45 minutes into the scan the system froze. I rebooted, and the computer has been running for 7 hours without a problem. I'll try running the virus scan again and see if it freezes. I'll take the cover off tomorrow and run the computer with a fan while it does a screensaver and a virus scan.

skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

sounds like a plan

 

[1abcdefgh]

Could try this,
Had a friend with mouse freezing and on looking at his computer and talking and noting about the problems of within he mentioned that the automatically updating of the Macromedia would not install [in other words aborted ]
I went in on the Macromedia Web page and verified to see if the Macromedia program was corrupted [the video presentation they have to verify same would not form?] We uninstalled both programs and installed both their latest and now my friend is not having any mouse freezing

To give you a fresh program installation [Eliminating the Bugs??] have a look within your = Control Panel = Add & Remove = and see if you have both Macromedia Flash Player and Macromedia Shock Wave Player [possibly you will only have the Shock Wave Player within] Macromedia have a small Uninstall program you can down load and use to unininstall the Flash Player [Enter in = Search = Uninstall = go to the other box and select = Flash Player = from within the search returns look for the uninstall program]
Uninstall both Players and install their latest Macromedia players [accessed from the lower right hand of the below web page].
Web URL

http://www.macromedia.com/

Try and see if does correct your freezing mouse problem!
Hope may help!

 

[skihouse]

Hi, Thanks for the tip, I have uninstalled Macromedia Flash Player, and reinstalled the latest download. I'll keep you posted. Prior to that I had my computer opened and blew out all fans and dust, blew out the dust on the CPU heatsinks,reajusted all ribbon cables,and let it run open with a fan for about 5 hours, closed it back up. The system has been running for about 4 hours now without a problem.

skihouse

 

[skihouse]

Hi, I have to report that I had the computer running for over 14 hours yesterday without a problem. The computer was use all day by my wife or myself. There was a time between 7PM and 10PM that the system was idle. We were both watching TV. At 10.30 I went to look at the system only to find it frozen. I can't beleive this is related to over heating, because once it's reboothed it runs again without a problem for hours. If it was over heating it wouldn't reboot and run imediately without first cooling off. It has something to do with hanging up while it's not being used, when it's just idle. MYSTERY!
skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

skihouse,
I habe seen computers reboot after overheating before. I have a junk computer (gotta love Compaq) that does exacttly as you describe. That is why is junk....LOL

try this to monitor temps

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=311

 

[skihouse]

Hi firewolfl, I still think it can't be over heating, just doesn't add up. Ive had this runnning now for four hours straight. I have been on and off a few times, and the system is still running normal. I have to think it has to be some sort of a bug, some glitch, or adware. I've run Search and Destroy, and Earthlink Virus Protection, and worked on the all the advise from those who helped. I forgot to mention, it's not a Compaq, it's a Dell desktop. I'll continue to monitor all day.
skihouse

 

[firewolfrl]

LOL, minus the poor spelling before I had a cup of coffee and brought the kids to school.
You may be right. or not .....
Anyway's, I have seen flaky heat related problems that take days to manifest. and I have seen RAM that is just on the verge of going bad do the same thing.
What is the brand and Motherboard Model???

Some MB's run the CPU hot for some reason. especially when graphic intensive stuff is going on.

This is the steps I take when I see a computer like yours:
1. I get the CPU temp (if possible) from the BIOS (after it has been on in the BIOS for an hour)

(*** try this****) leave the computer on in the BIOS screen overnight and see if it locks up. If it does then you have a sure bet it is NOT windows related.
Do this multiple times to be sure

2. I use a digital meat thermometer and verify the CPU temp reading in the BIOS.(Wife bought me an infrared heat thermometer not to long ago)
3. I verify all fans are working correct after 2 to 3 hours of operation.(sometimes the CPU fan starts to slow down)
4. I disable all fan speed controls in the BIOS so the fan is at a continuous speed
5. I run a recording type multimeter on the power supply over a period of time to see what the High/Low readings are
6. You have done this already (adware,spyware,virus check,general windows troubleshoot)

7. I remove the CPU fan and clean and replace the CPU paste with Artic silver

8. I do the same with the Motherboard chipset

9. I remove the video card and toss in another card for testing purposes.
10. I move all PCI cards (if possible)one slot away from the AGP slot for good ventilation of the video card
11. I clean and check the fan on the video card and remove the heatsink and clean and replace with Artic silver.
12. I look in the BIOS or I use third party software and I see what PCI/AGP cards (onboard & PCI)are sharing with each other in the PCI BUS and I try to free up the AGP slot so it does not share with any PCI card.
Sometimes I assign the video card its own IRQ.
****NOTE*** this type of error does not manifest itself in Windows.****

13. I go to where my client plugs his/her computer into the wall and I check for reverse wiring and I leave the multimeter to record overnight to see if there is a big swing in the high/low voltage reads. I also do a frequency read and look for DC voltage spikes. I found there is a high harddrive/component failure rate for computers tied into the same circuits as (refrigerator, Washing machine, freezer, etc....) the list can get quite large. For some reason electric garage door openers top the list.
These are 120 A.C. volt circuits

I take LOTS and LOTS of notes when I am trouble shooting. and I refer back as I go.

 

[smah]

It would be worth a visit to the manufacturers website to get all the latest hardware drivers.

Steve

 

[skihouse]

Hi, First and formost I want to thank everyone for all your help. I have worked on all your recomendations, one step at a time. I removed some running programs screen saver and Skype, DVD Region C, Quick Time, Media Player, etc. then reinstalled them.(except for screen saver) I ran Earthlink Protection Center Virus scan, and Spy Boot Search & Destroy. I cleaned out the desktop,check out both PS fan and CPU fan, cleaned & check temp. of the cpu heatsinks, redresed all ribbon cables.
Since I completed all these tasks, I am glad to report that since 7PM on 2/23/06 till the present time 2/24/06 7:50PM the computer has been on and running for over 48 hours trouble free!!!!!
skihouse