Mouse issue

[Jeff Barnett]

Win XP Pro SP3 with current MS updates and an older Logitech mice. I
have noted intermittent mice problems (described below) on two different
machines. Mice are LX7 wireless optical (no longer made). It is either a
coincidence or, perhaps a windows change. I'm asking whether anyone else
has had a similar experience starting approximately a month ago:

The problem: 1) Dragging an object (e.g. a card in solitaire) with left
mouse depressed; 2) Dragged object spontaneously releases itself (i.e.
left button is not released) and object shoots home; 3) If another
drag-able object is near release point, it is grabbed and dragged instead.

Explorations: 1) Tried other USB ports; 2) Installed fresh batteries; 3)
Reinstalled current software (a few years old); 4) Installed latest
Logitech software after uninstalling old stuff.

Results: Problem persists after all experiments.

Speculation: A change in scheduling or lowering of mouse priority could
cause this problem (guessing). Nothing has changed except MS updates.

Question: Any ideas as to what is going on with my two machines.

 

[Don Phillipson]

Win XP Pro SP3 with current MS updates and an older Logitech mice. I have
noted intermittent mice problems (described below) on two different
machines. Mice are LX7 wireless optical (no longer made). . . .
Explorations: 1) Tried other USB ports; 2) Installed fresh batteries; 3)
Reinstalled current software (a few years old); 4) Installed latest
Logitech software after uninstalling old stuff.

Results: Problem persists after all experiments.

The listed explorations omit 5) cleaning the mouse (inside
as well as out. When all five failed for me (with Logitech
Trackman about years old) I judged it had been worn out
and replaced it.

 

[Paul]

Win XP Pro SP3 with current MS updates and an older Logitech mice. I
have noted intermittent mice problems (described below) on two different
machines. Mice are LX7 wireless optical (no longer made). It is either a
coincidence or, perhaps a windows change. I'm asking whether anyone else
has had a similar experience starting approximately a month ago:

The problem: 1) Dragging an object (e.g. a card in solitaire) with left
mouse depressed; 2) Dragged object spontaneously releases itself (i.e.
left button is not released) and object shoots home; 3) If another
drag-able object is near release point, it is grabbed and dragged instead.

Explorations: 1) Tried other USB ports; 2) Installed fresh batteries; 3)
Reinstalled current software (a few years old); 4) Installed latest
Logitech software after uninstalling old stuff.

Results: Problem persists after all experiments.

Speculation: A change in scheduling or lowering of mouse priority could
cause this problem (guessing). Nothing has changed except MS updates.

Question: Any ideas as to what is going on with my two machines.

When I had a problem like this, it seemed to be wear and tear
on the left-most switch, left the mouse with an intermittent
switch connection. This caused "drags" to "drop" stuff, even
though the mouse left button remained depressed. It didn't
seem to be a cracked PCB under the switch. The plastic bit
on top of the switch, was sitting a bit lower than the
other two switches.

I cleaned out impacted dust between buttons and switches.
This fixed the issue for a whole day. And it came back the next day.
That mouse now sits connected to the backup PC. Some day,
some "switch surgery" will be called for, where parts
from two mice, make one good and working mouse.

*******

If yours was a wireless problem, it would probably have an
effect on all aspects of mouse operation, rather than just
one button.

You really need a utility that can monitor button state.
I couldn't find one. It would have helped cement the diagnosis
and catch the silly thing glitching.

Paul

 

[Jeff Barnett]

Don Phillipson wrote, On 9/22/2013 6:31 PM:

The listed explorations omit 5) cleaning the mouse (inside
as well as out. When all five failed for me (with Logitech
Trackman about years old) I judged it had been worn out
and replaced it.

Thanks for responding. I tried to clean it some but the light and
receiver are recessed and look to be in good shape.

Jeff

 

[Jeff Barnett]

Paul wrote, On 9/22/2013 7:44 PM:

When I had a problem like this, it seemed to be wear and tear
on the left-most switch, left the mouse with an intermittent
switch connection. This caused "drags" to "drop" stuff, even
though the mouse left button remained depressed. It didn't
seem to be a cracked PCB under the switch. The plastic bit
on top of the switch, was sitting a bit lower than the
other two switches.

I cleaned out impacted dust between buttons and switches.
This fixed the issue for a whole day. And it came back the next day.
That mouse now sits connected to the backup PC. Some day,
some "switch surgery" will be called for, where parts
from two mice, make one good and working mouse.

*******

If yours was a wireless problem, it would probably have an
effect on all aspects of mouse operation, rather than just
one button.

You really need a utility that can monitor button state.
I couldn't find one. It would have helped cement the diagnosis
and catch the silly thing glitching.

Paul

Thanks for responding. I don't see any way to open the mouse - no
visible screws or parts to slide except the battery cover. The exterior
seems to be clean and dust free.

I ordered a bunch of the LX7 mice a long time ago and just pitched them
when they started to act up. Unfortunately, the spares closet is now
bare. I was hoping to get the last two working again but haven't had any
luck so I've ordered a M510 to see how I like it.

Jeff