Mouse pointer problem!
 

Hi all,

Something strange on my work laptop today...

My mouse pointer is flickering around the edge and when I move it, it's like I can see bits of the background through it.

I don't think any Windows Updates have changed the graphics driver and as I far as I know, nothing has been changed on the graphics adapter settings.

I tried changing the theme to Vista basic but still does the same....

All other aspects of the display are perfect.

Any ideas?

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Wired or wireless mouse?

- if wireless check the battery ???

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

External wired via USB..

Also does the same with the built-in touch pad...

It's like some intereferance - not flashing off / on - just fuzzy!

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

if it affecting the touch pad as well as the external usb connection it sounds like something fundamental, e.g. the chipset - all I can suggest is to ensure the drivers are up to date ??

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

i would run Windows Update again or if you've got the latest ones - look up the most recent ones installed and uninstall them. It could be somethings overwritten the drivers for the chipset/mouse.

Also - Check for viruses/spyware :)

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Does it do the same when you boot in safe mode?

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Is there any other graphical corruption elsewhere? i.e while booting the computer?

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Is it a cheap Dell/other brand USB mouse? If so, they're not the best ones to use, and are notorious for skipping randomly. We have USB mice on the computers at uni, and I cannot for the life of me work out why it keeps skipping to the top-left. It's bloody annoying when I'm trying to use 3DS Max.

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Are they optical (laser) mice? If so if its on a shiny/reflective surface, they tend to skip about rather alot. Try putting a piece of paper/something dull down on the surface to see if that fixes it.

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Nope - so it must be driver related...

---------- Post added at 14:28 ---------- Previous post was at 14:27 ----------

Nope - not that I've seen.

---------- Post added at 14:28 ---------- Previous post was at 14:28 ----------

It's not a hardware issue - nothing to do with type / brand of mouse.

---------- Post added at 14:29 ---------- Previous post was at 14:28 ----------

Nope - not that either!

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Hmm.. Do you have any other 3D apps on your machine, such as a game or anything that will stress the onboard GPU?

I had a similar problem with an old GPU. The display would be fine but the mouse pointer was all wierd when the drivers were installed for it. It turned out the RAM was overheating on the card, but it can also be a sign of RAM that's taking a turn for the worse.

Try updating the drivers for a start.

Also, what hardware is inside the machine? If it shares the RAM then it wont be a GDDR problem.

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Well, I've just reinstalled Vista (used recovery disks) so the partition got trashed, and it's still doing it! Again - Safe Mode is perfectly fine....most odd!

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

I remember a problem with an oldish Dell where the pointer would wander around at random. It turned out to be the little rubber 'joystick' thingy in the middle of the keyboard that was sending random signals.

That one could only be fixed by a keyboard swap but it was most annoying when the mouse pointer would travel off at random to one corner of the screen.

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Looks like I'll need to take some photos of it!!

Re: Mouse pointer problem!
 

Actually it wasn't random signals but more a case of the handipoint being stressed to one side too much..

Getting back to the OP's problem it could be the built in touch-pad (this will be active even with a USB mouse plugged in)...try giving it a wipe with a cloth and if need be you might find you can disable it in the bios..