[Ham-Computers] RE: Optical Mouse Pointer Cursor Drifts off Screen

[Jim Hill]

Aaron: Thanks for the advice, excellent, as usual.  A person is really lost 
when the mouse doesn't work.  For example, at the logon screen, how do you 
get to the icon in the center in order to actually log in?  I started in 
Safe Mode, and for some reason was able to just reach the logo. I was able 
to get to the networking setup using the keyboard, and transfer some files 
I had not backed up - just in case. Is there a method of just using the 
keyboard to sign in and then go to start?

I checked further, and found out this is a known problem with Dell laptops. 
The pointer stick malfunctions. One fix involves going to bios and 
disabling different mouse's (mice?). On some Dell laptops, there is 
interaction between a small ribbon cable and the metal cover I guess the 
ribbon cable touches the cover.  The fix for that problem is to tape a 
piece of plastic to the case.  Other people have said to update the 
drivers, but don't think that approach would help me. I guess the third 
choice would be replacing the keyboard, but that is probably pretty 
pricey.  I know that Dell ram costs about twice what 3rd party ram 
costs,  and you can't use normal ram.

73's Jim w6ivw

At 12:34 PM 6/14/2006, you wrote:
>I have mixed feelinsgs about the new breed of optical mice.  Almost two
>decades ago, optical mice were shunned because they required a tracking
>surface.  Logitech then had the right idea with a hybrid that used
>optical encoders internally while using the ball for the mechanical
>motion (and most all "ball" mice use this design).  Now the craze is
>back to optical mice because they don't require cleaning.  However, I've
>found nothing but tracking problems except for the highly expensive
>"laser" tracking mice or the better optical "trackballs".
>
>Generally, my biggest pet peeve with the optical mice is when you
>pick-up the mouse to move it (such as when you're at the edge of the
>"working" area of your desk, the optics detect the motion and move the
>mouse.  Sometimes, the cursor jumps all over the place.  Other times,
>I'll find the cursor somewhere hiding in the corner.  Luckily, I haven't
>run into the "locked" cursor described by Jim.
>
>However, I have encountered "locked" and "jumpy" cursors with different
>brands of mice.  One of several things cause this...
>
>* Faulty mouse driver or driver conflict.
>Did it come with it's own mouse software/drivers are did you use the
>native Windows drivers?  If you're using the bundled software, try
>un-installing it and using the native Windows drivers.  Vice versa if
>you're using the native Windows drivers.
>
>* Faulty connection (such as a bad connector on the motherboard)
>Not an easy thing to fix.  In this case, use a different port.
>
>* USB bus issue (with USB mice)
>Try a different USB port.  Also, try disconnecting all the other USB
>devices - USB bus contention is starting to become a *MAJOR* headache.
>I've found some USB devices that refuse to work when some other
>particular USB device is connected (such as two USB hard drives with the
>exact same USB-IDE bridge chip).
>
>* Power issue - some motherboards may not supply enough current to the
>mouse port to power some optical mice.  Older "ball" mice generally used
><10ma @ 5v.  Some opticals use >100ma.  Check the power requirements for
>the mouse and make sure you're not exceeding the limits of the
>motherboard (if you're using the mouse port).
>
>* Dirty rollers (on ball mice)
>Clean the rollers (not in your case, Jim).
>
>* Conflict with a "hidden" device
>I've posted in the past how "hidden" or "ghosted" devices can cause
>problems - usually conflicts with "real" or "currently attached"
>devices.  Check for "hidden" instances of mouse drivers in the Device
>Manager.  In Win2K/XP, you'll need to make sure the
>"devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices" variable is set to do this.  In Win9x,
>you'll need to start in Safe Mode.  Search the archives for specific
>details about hidden devices.  I can dig out the old post and re-post if
>need be.
>
>
>BTW, you don't need to cut power to the system to reboot.  Hit
><CTRL><ESC> to bring up the "Start" menu.  From there, you can perform
>an orderly shutdown/reboot.
>
>For reference, I use two tracking devices - a Logitech "Marble Mouse"
>trackball is my primary.  I also have a Logitech G5 Gaming mouse (laser
>tracking) for Battlefield2 sessions.  Only reason I got it was because
>it was a mark-down for $25 (normally $79).  Why would anyone spend $80
>on mouse these days (and don't get me started on $300 Creative Labs
>crap!)?  The G5 tracks *REALLY* well and the ability to shift tracking
>precision works great in-game.  But $80?  However, I can say it was $25
>well spent! <g>
>
>73,
>
>   - Aaron, NN6O
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Hill
>Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 12:03 PM
>To: Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications, or
>experimenting
>Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Optical Mouse Pointer Cursor Drifts off
>Screen
>
>Thanks for the suggestions, but unfortunately they don't help in my
>situation. The problem occurred while working on a Word document. At the
>present time, the cursor is up at the upper right corner on the welcome
>screen, flickering on and off when I attempt to move it. I can't reach
>the region to turn off the computer, so must use the power switch.
>
>Jim
>
>
>At 11:51 AM 6/14/2006, you wrote:
> >Make certain there are no flourescent lights line of sight to the mouse
>and
> >that you do not use the mouse on a visually uniform surface, such as a
>white
> >desktop, paper, etc.  These things have caused ALL my optical mouse
> >troubles.
> >
> >Kurt
> >
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