mouse keeps jumping all over the place

[typical computer geek]

Dell P4 w/XP pro the mouse jumps like crazy. will be working and the thing
will go from the top of the screen to the bottom without warning. Very
annoying

any ideas why it may be doing this?

 

[R. McCarty]

What interface does the mouse use (PS/2 or USB). Assume it's an
optical mouse - what type of surface does the mouse rest on ?
Optical mice work best on a "Light Colored" surface.

Are you using the built-in Mouse control or a vendors control set,
such as Logitech or MS Intellipoint software ? Is this a desktop or
a notebook - if notebook you may interaction problems between
the mouse and the Touchpad.

 

[typical computer geek]

USB mouse on desktop comp. optical on very ligth mousepad.. Dell PC and Dell
mouse

 

[R. McCarty]

Thanks for the follow-up info. There are some known issues with USB
mice and a optional setting in mouse control called "Enhanced Pointer
Precision". This is found in the Mouse Applet of Control Panel under
the Pointer Options (TAB). You might try working without that option
enabled. Also, if Dell provided you with a USB/PS2 adapter you may
want to use the mouse using that interface to see if the "Random moves"
stops. Likely, the mouse is using the default MS HID mouse driver
which should be OK.

 

[Plato]

Dell P4 w/XP pro the mouse jumps like crazy. will be working and the thing
will go from the top of the screen to the bottom without warning. Very
annoying

Same thing happens when you tried another mouse?

 

[typical computer geek]

have not tried another mouse

Same thing happens when you tried another mouse?

 

[Plato]

have not tried another mouse

Then try one. Mice have a circuit board in them. They often go bad.