Advice Regarding Mouse Problems

[JD]

I recently bought a new Logitech mouse because my old one was sluggish and
cursors were jumping around wildly. Initially I was very impressed with the
responsiveness of the new mouse. However, here's what has been happening.
I note that it is always while playing Windows' Spider Solitaire. The mouse
"freezes," or one of the cards freezes. When the card freezes, I can still
"deal" other cards, but the frozen column remains. In either case I still
have a working keyboard.
I did download and install the correct mouse drivers from the Logitech site.
What could be the culprit here? The mouse? The video display? Windows
itself? So far I haven't had this problem while working with Word
documents--or other Windows games.
Any advice?

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

I recently bought a new Logitech mouse because my old one was sluggish and
cursors were jumping around wildly. Initially I was very impressed with the
responsiveness of the new mouse. However, here's what has been happening.
I note that it is always while playing Windows' Spider Solitaire. The mouse
"freezes," or one of the cards freezes. When the card freezes, I can still
"deal" other cards, but the frozen column remains. In either case I still
have a working keyboard.
I did download and install the correct mouse drivers from the Logitech site.
What could be the culprit here? The mouse? The video display? Windows
itself? So far I haven't had this problem while working with Word
documents--or other Windows games.
Any advice?

Have you tried turning off the card animations to see if this has any
effect on the problem?

 

[RJK]

"I did download and install the correct mouse drivers from the Logitech
site"
...is often the problem !!

I use a Logitech optical mouse, had it for years, it's heaven !! (simple 2
button thumbwheel), ...never liked those with buttons all over the place,
....tried a cordless one - 2 x AA's in it - HIDEOUSLY heavy !!

....if it's a simple two button / thumbwheel mouse, I would try uninstalling
the Logitech driver and let XP detect it, and see how you get on with the
generic MS mouse driver

i.e. in my view ...the "bells and whistles" software that comes with
hardware is often more trouble than it's worth !

regards, Richard

 

[RJK]

....having re-read your OP, ....I think I favour investigating graphics card
driver !!

regards, Richard

 

[JD]

I had not thought of that, and I will try it. However, that should not be a
problem--and has not been for the almost four years that I've used this
computer.

 

[JD]

I appreciate your input, Richard. However, the situation is getting worse. I
did uninstall the Logitech drivers and am running with the Windows "generic"
drivers.
But I'm still getting freezes. Now in OE as well as IE.
Rebooting, and disconnecting and reconnecting the mouse do not work. Windows
reboots and the mouse is still "dead."
However, I have now noticed that when I turn the mouse over, the red light
is not on. Repeated clicking (in the air) brings the light on, and then the
mouse works.
Question: Can it be that I just have a defective mouse and that I can fix
the problem by buying a new mouse?

 

[RJK]

Well, swapping out the mouse could quickly determine whether or not the one
you're talking about, is faulty or not.
....I cast my eye back through this thread and can't spot whether you're
talking about a PS3 or USB mouse / cordless or hard wired, ...legacy support
in bios for PS2 and/or USB might have a bearing on it.

I must admit that I've never looked into this in any detail but, my 2nd PC
has a cordless kb an mouse - the receiver part of it that connects to the
rear of the PC, and whose lead terminates in a USB plug for the kb, and a
"tail" comes out of that and connects to the PS2 mouse socket, does not work
unless "USB Legacy support" is switched on/enabled in bios, and if memory
serves - PS2 support has to be enabled in bios as well.

....anyhooo, I'd swap it out, ....as you suggest !

regards, Richard

 

[JD]

I unistalled the Logitech driver applications, but I note in Device Manager,
Driver details that it is still using the Logitech drivers. Do I have to
uninstall here to return to the Windows-supplied "generic" drivers?
What does the fact that the red light on the bottom of the mouse goes out
suggest? Is that run by the driver or does it suggest a bad mouse? A few
minutes ago I was able to get it to "turn on" by literally slapping the
mouse around a few times.

 

[RJK]

You're kidding me !

Yes, you perhaps need to uninstall the driver from device manager - Windows
should then use a "best fit" driver from it's library.
....my Logitech mouse, in Device Manager is showing as "Microsoft PS2 Mouse,"
(I never let a driver cd anywhere near my PC if avoidable !)
..."slapping it around" won't do it much good ! ...faulty cable ? ...or a
dry joint in there somewhere !
....in fact STOP SLAPPING IT AROUND !!

The LED in my Logitech glows red all the time, at a low level of brightness
when it's stationary, ...as soon as I move it, or lift it up and then put
my finger near the underside LED/sensor, it glows a lot brighter -
indicating that it's sensing motion - I suppose. Again, when left alone
it just glows dimly.

anyhoooo, I would uninstall the Logitech mouse driver in Device Manager, and
reboot.
....and, even if just borrowing one for test purposes - SWAP IT OUT !

regards, Richard

 

[JD]

Thanks Richard. I will uninstall from the Device Manager.
When the mouse freezes, there really is no LED on the bottom. Is it a safe
assumption that the mouse driver is the culprit, not the mouse itself?
It's also interesting that I still have a functioning keyboard and can close
apps (or deal cards) with the keyboard. I think that would rule out the
video drivers, don't you? At least in the past when I've had Windows
"lockups," there was no keyboard OR mouse.
I won't "slap it around" any more!

 

[JD]

Uninstalling from the Device Manager did not seem to work. The same drivers
are still there.
I also note that the mouse and drivers are listed in two places: Human
Interface Devices and Mice and Other Pointing Devices. Is that "correct"?
I'm really frustrated. Sporadically, the mouse "dies," the LED light is off.
After some minutes, I hear the Windows "ta da dum," the light is back on,
and the mouse wakes up. What could be causing this? And how can I remove the
Logitech drivers and revert to "Microsoft PS2 Mouse" driver?

 

[Bob I]

Sounds like a wired USB optical mouse with a bad connection, try other
usb ports, try mouse on a different computer to see if a defective mouse.

 

[JD]

I think my experience last night makes that case. I used the driver
"rollback" function, then worked for an hour or so, sure that everything was
OK. However, upon booting up this morning, my wife found the mouse, again,
"frozen." I will try a different USB port (though all are reported as
functioning properly) and then just buy a new mouse.
What about the mouse being listed in two places in Device Manager? I'd never
noticed that before. And the drivers listed are not the same.

 

[Bob I]

I would delete/uninstall them both and then "check for new hardware".

 

[JD]

Did that. Drivers reinstalled. Same problem.
Switched ports. Same problem.
I bought a new Microsoft Intellimouse, followed directions ("Install the
software first.), shut down, switched out the mice, rebooted, the new mouse
was successfully installed.
It's been a few hours, putting it throught its paces. So far, so good.
I'm hoping that I can conclude that I just had a bad mouse!

 

[Bob I]

Thanks for update, hope the problem's been put to rest.