wild mouse movement

[rarewolf]

Whereas this never happened for most of this computers lifetime (since
2005), the mouse curser has become highly unstable, sometimes reacting
normally, but sometimes zooming off to (what seems like always) to the
upper left. It gets bad enough to be frustrating to use, but will act
normally for sometime after re-booting. Has anyone seen this, more
importantly, found a remedy?

Logitech USB optical mouse (into the PS/2 jack via supplied adapter)
(I'd try USB, but all are being used)
Device list implies it is a Microsoft PS/2 mouse
XP (sp2) 2Gb RAM

TIA & cheerios from the Avalon Peninsula Newfoundland

 

[Unknown]

Free up one of your USB ports and re-install the mouse.

 

[Elmo]

Whereas this never happened for most of this computers lifetime (since
2005), the mouse cursor has become highly unstable, sometimes reacting
normally, but sometimes zooming off to (what seems like always) to the
upper left. It gets bad enough to be frustrating to use, but will act
normally for sometime after re-booting. Has anyone seen this, more
importantly, found a remedy?

Logitech USB optical mouse (into the PS/2 jack via supplied adapter)
(I'd try USB, but all are being used)
Device list implies it is a Microsoft PS/2 mouse
XP (sp2) 2Gb RAM

TIA & cheerios from the Avalon Peninsula Newfoundland

Use a dull mouse pad that has grain or other roughness that can be seen
by the optical sensors.