Whats wrong with my mouse?

**Douchebag** · May 31, 2007, 08:06 PM

I dont know if its my mouse or my computer, but everytime I move my mouse, the pointer jerks upward or downward automatically, and its pissing me off. It started doing this, when I moved my computer to living room. I even bought a new one and it does the samething. Its a optical mouse, with a PS/2 connector. So I asked one of my friends, if I can use his mouse - its a optical mouse, with a thin, rectangular shaped connector(dont know what its called), and it works perfectly fine. Is there anyway I can fix this?

**Mímirswell** · May 31, 2007, 08:14 PM

This question is for the basement, moved.

**Garbarsardar** · May 31, 2007, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by DigitalMarine

I dont know if its my mouse or my computer, but everytime I move my mouse, the pointer jerks upward or downward automatically, and its pissing me off. It started doing this, when I moved my computer to living room. I even bought a new one and it does the samething. Its a optical mouse, with a PS/2 connector. So I asked one of my friends, if I can use his mouse - its a optical mouse, with a thin, rectangular shaped connector(dont know what its called), and it works perfectly fine. Is there anyway I can fix this?

Your friend has a USB mouse. Why don't you try one too since it woks?

Second, have you changed batteries lately?

**Douchebag** · May 31, 2007, 08:57 PM

Nope. I dont think they'll give me a refund though, so im not gonna buy another one. I just dont get it....I used that mouse for about 5 months, and it was working perfectly fine. I just move it to a diff location, and it ****s up.

**Incinerate_IV** · May 31, 2007, 10:26 PM

The optical mouse is probably skipping because it's not on a smooth surface, try using a mouse pad.

**drak10687** · May 31, 2007, 11:32 PM

Now days mice are usually all USB... but if they are not, they usually come with an adapter, and if not... well, you can always buy an adapter... though I doubt that is the problem, unless its your "plug" that is messed up. So try the mouse-pad thing first...

**Erik** · June 01, 2007, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by DigitalMarine

I dont know if its my mouse or my computer, but everytime I move my mouse, the pointer jerks upward or downward automatically

Sounds like a sensor error.

Some surfaces can cause this, even when they are smooth.
Especially black, reflecting, or shiny surfaces, or surfaces with certain patterns on them.
Even some mouse pads can cause it, my mother had a mouse pad with some kind of modern art on it but it made her optical mouse go completely crazy rendering the pad useless.

Experiment with different surfaces.

Also dirt or dust on the optical sensor can cause this, so try wiping it with a soft piece of cloth.

If it's a wireless mouse it could also be caused by interference.

Its a optical mouse, with a PS/2 connector. So I asked one of my friends, if I can use his mouse - its a optical mouse, with a thin, rectangular shaped connector(dont know what its called), and it works perfectly fine.

As mentioned before your friend has a USB mouse, which is more modern.
But I don't think the connector is the problem.

**sapi** · June 01, 2007, 10:36 PM

This is going to sound silly, depending on where you live, but I might as well mention it :smile;

The one surface that I've found to work flawlessly with optical mice is - wait for it - the black plastic insert out of one of those eco-friendly shopping bags. It seems to have just enough texture for the optical sensor to work properly, and the one-colour system makes it very, very quick

Might not be available where you live though....

**Erik** · June 02, 2007, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by sapi

The one surface that I've found to work flawlessly with optical mice is - wait for it - the black plastic insert out of one of those eco-friendly shopping bags.

I can't help but wonder how many other surfaces you tried out before discovering that.

But I think it's also dependent on the brand and model of your mouse because not every mouse has the same resolution or illumination

I'm using a Logitech Laser mouse (MX1000) and it works on every surface I've tried out so far including - wait for it - my own naked belly (I was sick that day)

**Niccolo Machiavelli** · June 02, 2007, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Erik

But I think it's also dependent on the brand and model of your mouse because not every mouse has the same resolution or illumination

I'm using a Logitech Laser mouse (MX1000) and it works on every surface I've tried out so far including - wait for it - my own naked belly (I was sick that day)

Yes - that may be the explanation for the friends mouse working - which vaguely sounds like it could be a Logitech. I have yet to fund a surface my MX revolution doesn't work on...

**Shaun** · June 02, 2007, 10:53 AM

I think its a problem with the surface you are using your mouse on. A reflective surface and an optical mouse is not a good combination, due to the reflection. This is probably whats causing your mouse to jerk.

**drak10687** · June 03, 2007, 05:17 AM

well, it might not be so much the fact that its logitech, but more the fact that its a LASER mouse instead of an OPTICAL one. Which gives it much more precision and the ability to work on most surfaces... I have on and its great... though I do have to admit its logitech made as well...