Optical Mouse Problems

[JD]

My mouse is jumping around, drifting, lagging, not moving where it should.
It is very frustrating.
I bought a new mouse pad, disconnected and reconnected the USB cable, and
cleaned the bottom of the mouse with a moist cloth. Nothing helps.
Is it likely just a mechanical problem that would be solved by buying a new
mouse? Possibly the mouse driver? Any suggestions?
BTW, are these mice frequently problematic? Is an old-fashioned roller-ball
mouse actually preferable?

 

[Malke]

My mouse is jumping around, drifting, lagging, not moving where it
should. It is very frustrating.
I bought a new mouse pad, disconnected and reconnected the USB cable,
and cleaned the bottom of the mouse with a moist cloth. Nothing helps.
Is it likely just a mechanical problem that would be solved by buying
a new mouse? Possibly the mouse driver? Any suggestions?
BTW, are these mice frequently problematic? Is an old-fashioned
roller-ball mouse actually preferable?

Optical mice don't need mousepads. It sounds like you have it on a
printed mousepad or a mousepad that isn't a good surface for the
optical mouse. Just put it on the desk. Optical mice don't do well on
glass or other reflective surfaces.

Malke

 

[JD]

Thanks for the tip. It does seem to be OK on the wooden desk. However, it
worked equally well on the mouse pad for more than a year until just a few
days ago. It seems odd.

 

[Mercury]

does it have batteries - is it wireless? You may need new batteries.