Inconsistent and erratic mouse? - Digital Scrapbooking Community

readstoomuch · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 11:48 PM

My mouse is acting very strange.

It is erratic . . . moves inconsistenly (haultingly) and very jerky. I almost need to hold it in the air and set it down in a different place on my desk to make it land upon the point where I need it. I have new batteries in it, so that isn't the problem. I shut down my computer and restarted it, and that didn't help either.

Any ideas? I have a Dell with a wireless mouse.

susiecw · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 12:22 AM

When mine did that I cleaned it top and bottom, and my mouse pad, with rubbing alcohol being careful that I didn't get it wet. Then I roughed up my mouse pad and that helped, too. HTH. Susie

Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle) · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 12:24 AM

Yep . . . clean it.

hguenthe · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 12:54 AM

Yep, it's time to clean the mouse

If the mouse ball comes out - they usually do, like Susie suggests, use rubbing alcohol on it and then dry with a kleenex. Clean the contacts with a q-tip wetted with rubbing alcohol and give it a moment to dry before putting the ball back in it. Rubbing alcohol is the standard use for cleaning computer components because the alcohol will evaporate leaving it clean and not damaged.

Good luck

and once you have experienced a clean mouse, I bet it becomes habit for you to do whenever things seem a lil sluggish.

katrinak · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 08:45 AM

If it is wireless with a little plug in thingy to your computer make sure you the plug thingy is all the way in. My Microsoft mouse (yes on a mac...blush) is always coming out of the USB port.

(oh and thingy is the technical word)

readstoomuch · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks girls. I will clean it this morning and see if that helps! My little plug in "thingy" is good . . . checked it last night. I am off to get the alcohol from the bathroom.