Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Fortunately for most cases, there is a simple solution to why your mouse pointer would jump around the screen.
My infrared Microsoft Intellimouse is being erratic. Doesn't follow the direction of the hand movement and lags behind sometimes not moving. I have checked all settings and drivers as much as I know how.
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Erratic mouse movement is a pain. You move one way, and the mouse jumps around the screen - often to some other random location.
In most cases the solution to a jumping mouse pointer is actually pretty simple.
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Optical mice are great - I love 'em. No more dirty mouse balls (and the jokes that go with them). Over time I've converted all of my mice to optical, both wired or wireless.
But what I've found with optical mice is that they are surprisingly sensitive to the surface they're on. On a bad surface they'll often behave exactly as you describe. They seem to not only stop responding, but occasionally misread movement and dart off in completely unexpected directions ... like a mouse scurrying for cover.
The best surfaces for the mouse would be something with a slight texture, and a constant surface. Make sure there's no high contrast text or images as well.
After not using mouse pads for a long time, I've found that they're typically the best solution and very helpful in keeping my optical mice behaving.
Article C2296 - March 2, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
August 21, 2011 10:19 AM
I have the right mouse pad and a good mouse [Logitech], but the cursor won't do what I want it to do. HELP!!
August 13, 2012 1:01 PM
I bought a ACER from a pawn shop here's the problem as you can see it skipped space,highlights the words while typing theword s cursor backtrack to a word it highlights it automatically while i type. i'm having difficulty typing this co,mment to you, can you help me with this problem i start school in october. it's not the mouse.
August 13, 2012 1:09 PM
I bought a ACER from a pawn shop here's the problem as you can see it skipped space,highlights the words while typing theword s cursor backtrack to a word it highlights it automatically while i type. i'm having difficulty typing this co,mment to you, can you help me with this problem i start school in october. I really need HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM!!!!
ANY SUGGESTIONS?
August 13, 2012 1:35 PM
@Nilda
The first thing I would try is plugging in an external keyboard. That usually works in those cases.
December 14, 2012 1:51 AM
I am having the same problem. The curser jumps around when I am typing a sentence and I finish up with gibberish. I am constantly editing and rewriting. HELP!
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