very weird annoying computer problem

[gunsmith]

the cursor wont stay still, it "falls" ... meaning its dang difficult to click on something I have to keep playing with it as I cant hover over anything...I guess I need a new mouse?

[AJ Dual]

First, questons: Laptop or desktop? (Laptop, I'm guessing) External mouse for your hand, or integrated pointer nubbin, or trackpad?

Usually there's a sensitivity setting that can stop this, only more vigorous purposeful movement from your hand or fingers will move the cursor, or if it's an integrated mouse-device in the laptop, there might be a recalibration option to re-center it.

Although the Thinkpad/Toshiba style nubbin pointer that sits between the G, H, and B keys, those can be pushed/bent so hard they'll take a permanent set and just track in the direction they were broken forever. 

[Jocassee]

Track ball? If so, clean the inside

[æg151337]

Is is lazer or does it have a roller?

[æg151337]

Just take it out to the range.

[zxcvbob]

Is it a Thinkpad with the red joystick-like mouse button thing in the middle of the keyboard?  Let it wander across the screen, and it'll stop when it gets tired and then behave again.

ETA:

MEMO

Re: Replacement of Mouse Balls.

If a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field Replacement Units). Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel.

Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.

It is recommended that each person have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction. Any customer missing his balls should contact the local personnel in charge of removing and replacing these necessary items.

Please keep in mind that a customer without properly working balls is an unhappy customer.

[gunsmith]

its an acer mouse, a dell laptop called inspirion - it seems to have stopped after I restarted it

[Marnoot]

If your Inspiron has one of those aforementioned little joystick nubs on the keyboard, I believe those calibrate during boot, whether when the driver loads up or earlier in the boot process. If you happened to have been bumping it during that point of the boot cycle it probably calibrated the bumped position as "center." Rebooting would have it cleared it up as it would have re-calibrated.

If your laptop just has a touchpad and the attached mouse, I have no ideas that match the reboot fixing it, other than just general laptop zaniness.

[41magsnub]

Just don't get annoyed about it...   

[RocketMan]

Too late, I am already annoyed.  And it's not even my mouse.

Good thing that you got it going again, gs.  Sometimes just unplugging it and plugging back in will clear up those funny little USB mouse issues.  And if you do end up buying a new one, the darn things are cheap these days so you won't be too badly out of pocket.

[mtnbkr]

Inspirons have an issue with the mouse (nubbin or touchpad) that cause this.  Sometimes it goes away, other times it lasts until you replace the keyboard assembly.

Until this year, I used an Inspiron as my work laptop since the late 90s (or whenever they came out, don't recall if my first Dell laptops were Inspiron).

Chris

[lupinus]

Talk it out of quitting coffee?

[2nd_to_one]

One more thing that no one mentioned.  In most laptop drivers for touchpads or pointing sticks it is possible to tell the driver to shut off the built in device(s) in the presence of an external device (mouse).  If the problem is indeed related to the built in pointing device(s) then this would at least prevent it when the mouse is plugged in.

Steve

[gunsmith]

Talk it out of quitting coffee?

 

it said NEVER!!

[gunsmith]

One more thing that no one mentioned.  In most laptop drivers for touchpads or pointing sticks it is possible to tell the driver to shut off the built in device(s) in the presence of an external device (mouse).  If the problem is indeed related to the built in pointing device(s) then this would at least prevent it when the mouse is plugged in.

Steve

Hi Steve, thanks! you're an EE?? Cool, I need a device I can point at cars and turn off the loud rap music or other annoying stuff - can you make one? It doesn't have to be a portable EMP weapon...but if it was that would be awesome too!
 

[lee n. field]

I need a device I can point at cars and turn off the loud rap music or other annoying stuff -

It's called a shotgun.

[gunsmith]

It's called a shotgun.

yess, a shotgun would do quite nicely...can we put an EMP weapon on it?

[lee n. field]

yess, a shotgun would do quite nicely...can we put an EMP weapon on it?

Special shells?  Maybe.