http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior/ Comments on Ask MetaFilter post How to stop erratic mouse pointer/cursor behavior? Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:31:59 -0800 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:44:10 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior Without warning, my mouse pointer has developed a mind of its own. It drifts across the screen and activates (clicks on) whatever it is hovering over. I disabled the touchpad and this behavior still occurs with a USB mouse. I'm running Windows 7. It is still happening in Windows Safe Mode. post:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:31:59 -0800 Bushmiller mouse pointer laptop resolved http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior#3282368 How old is your mouse? I had a Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 5000 that I used for years with Windows XP, but when I used it with Vista and Windows 7 it starting exhibiting some bizzare behavior (like not letting me click on drop-down menus - I actually wrote an AskMe about it because I thought it was my computer that was acting up). I found out the mouse/driver wasn't compatible with the new OS and I ended up having to get a newer mouse. comment:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828-3282368 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:44:10 -0800 littlesq http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior#3282370 Have you changed your mouse pad? Sometimes the surface you're using will cause your mouse to behave badly. comment:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828-3282370 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:46:44 -0800 patheral http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior#3282371 Oh, sorry I didn't catch that you were having issues with pointer behavior regardless if you were using a mouse or not. What type/how old is your computer? comment:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828-3282371 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:47:40 -0800 littlesq http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior#3282372 Make sure Mouse keys isn't running. (Search control panel for Mouse keys). Install Microsoft's Intellimouse softwe, which may update the driver. Scan your computer in Safe mode with Malwarebytes and Bitdefender. comment:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828-3282372 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:49:26 -0800 cnc http://ask.metafilter.com/226828/How-to-stop-erratic-mouse-pointercursor-behavior#3282382 Problem solved, I think. The children found my wireless multimedia keyboard (still connected to my computer via wireless dongle) and piled a mountain of books on top of it. I keep the keyboard behind the television, so I had no idea they found it. Once I unplugged the dongle it seemed to stop the behavior. I should have caught that sooner. At least I hadn't yet disassembled my laptop's keyboard and touchpad assembly. comment:ask.metafilter.com,2012:site.226828-3282382 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:02:10 -0800 Bushmiller