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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: gunsmith on September 11, 2013, 11:03:55 PM

Title: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: gunsmith on September 11, 2013, 11:03:55 PM
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?
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: AJ Dual on September 11, 2013, 11:09:55 PM
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.  :P
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: Jocassee on September 11, 2013, 11:10:09 PM
Track ball? If so, clean the inside
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: æg151337 on September 11, 2013, 11:10:38 PM
Is is lazer or does it have a roller?
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: æg151337 on September 11, 2013, 11:12:50 PM
Just take it out to the range. [ar15]
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: zxcvbob on September 12, 2013, 12:04:32 AM
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:
Quote
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.

Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: gunsmith on September 12, 2013, 12:47:56 AM
its an acer mouse, a dell laptop called inspirion - it seems to have stopped after I restarted it
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: Marnoot on September 12, 2013, 01:06:25 AM
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.
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: 41magsnub on September 12, 2013, 01:07:39 AM
Just don't get annoyed about it...   =D
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: RocketMan on September 12, 2013, 06:27:26 AM
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.
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: mtnbkr on September 12, 2013, 07:46:11 AM
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
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: lupinus on September 12, 2013, 08:25:45 AM
Talk it out of quitting coffee?
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: 2nd_to_one on September 12, 2013, 05:41:11 PM
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
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: gunsmith on September 12, 2013, 06:54:15 PM
Talk it out of quitting coffee?

 :rofl:

it said NEVER!!

Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: gunsmith on September 12, 2013, 06:58:24 PM
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!
 :cool:
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: lee n. field on September 12, 2013, 07:24:30 PM
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.
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: gunsmith on September 12, 2013, 09:45:39 PM
It's called a shotgun.


yess, a shotgun would do quite nicely...can we put an EMP weapon on it?
Title: Re: very weird annoying computer problem
Post by: lee n. field on September 12, 2013, 10:38:38 PM

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

Special shells?  Maybe.