Mouse problem

[yalamo]

I've having a problem with my A4Tech optical mouse for the past few weeks (using WinXP). Every now and then the mouse pointer "freezes", won't move. After a few seconds it unfreezes, and then seems to work OK.

But every few days, the mouse pointer freezes entirely, and doesn't move at all, even after a long wait. I then shut down Windows using the keyboard, and restart, and then the mouse works OK until the next time it happens.

I suspect I may need a new mouse, but before I get one, I'd like to check that the problem is not a corrupted mouse driver. If I unistall the mouse driver from the control panel, then shut down and restart again, will the driver then automatically reinstall? (The mouse driver is the one that comes with Windows). Is this a valid test of the mouse driver?

 

[lamar225]

go to the mouse manufature site and see if there is an updated driver, or a replacement driver from the manufature.

 

[yalamo]

lamarr225, thanks for the tip. I'll try it. However, as I said, I used the mouse driver in the PC (WinXP SP2) instead of the manufacturer's driver, and it worked fine for over 2 years. I just started having this trouble a couple of months ago,

 

[stduc]

Is that a wired, or wireless mouse? If wireless, someone nearby may be using the same frequency? If you suspect that could be a possibility can you change the channel the mouse is using? Usually a switch on the mouse and mouse receptor.

I would also double check for malware.

The other possibility is that the mouse is dying.

 

[yalamo]

stduc, its a wired mouse. I also have the feeling that the mouse may be dying, but I can't find any consistent conditions for when the problem occurs. It just comes out of the blue, then disappears if I jiggle the mouse a little, or doesn't disappear, and I have to reset the pc.

That's why I asked about checking for a corrupt mouse driver (the driver that comes with WinXP, not the manufacturer's) before I buy a new one. Other than that, it's a very good mouse, withe very convenient extra buttons for back and forward.

 

[stduc]

I suggest you try changing the drivers - look for updated ones from the manufacturers website. XP update would have taken care of any microsoft updates. Also be certain you have no malware or other possible issues, like a failing hard drive.

I once had similar issues - in the end I went out & bought another mouse. Problem solved.