Choppy Mouse Scrolling w/Windows XP

There should be adjusting menu for mouse scrolling resolution in Control panel. It seems your mouse scroll wheel adjusted to 3 lines per tic or so. Make it 2 and try out. 1 line could be annoying as too slow.

Worse case if you faced mechanical(physical) trouble with your device. Unfortunately it occurs quite often.

Try replacing the batteries in the mouse.

I have a Microsh^t wireless mouse for my desktop. It takes 2 regular AA cells. I know when it's time to replace them when the pointer gets really choppy.

Before this mouse I had a logitek unit that never worked well right out of the box, (same problem as the OP). I sent it back, that was about 6 mo. ago. Haven't heard a word from them yet.

Might be some troubleshooting tips here:

http://www.computerhope.com/help/mouse.htm

Good, practical suggestion.

Also, if you're using an optical mouse with a mouse pad, change to moving the mouse over a white surface (such as a piece of white paper); or white-top mouse pad...if you can find one. Best optical mouse performance depends on clear and uninterruped good (brilliant) reflection from the "pad" surface...something not offered by most mouse pads. Mousing over a white surface gives another benefit as well: conservation of battery cell life, both in use and when the system is shut down (when most mouses go dead). Additionally, with a USB mouse, a white mousing surface should also improve (remote/battery powered) laptop battery charge conservation.

change to moving the mouse over a white surface (such as a piece of white paper); or white-top mouse pad...if you can find one. Best optical mouse performance depends on clear and uninterrupted good (brilliant) reflection from the "pad" surface...something not offered by most mouse pads.

Good point and a page of printed text works best for my Logitech,

Wow what a night mare using an imitation wood grain desktop

Tried adjusting mouse LPM settings, batteries and a mouse from another laptop. No luck. Both mice act the same on this PC. Also, mouse in question works well on the second laptop. Still scratching my head.

could be the mouse mat, try it on plain background.

I had a similar problem with a wireless optical mouse and found that the surface that you use the mouse on is critical. I had a mouse pad that had a thick red line across the middle of it. When scrolled over this line the pointer would instantly reverse direction and jump all over the place. I solved it by buying a wireless laser mouse.

Tryed different surfaces with no luck there. I should have noted that the problem exists while scrolling using keyboard up down arrows as well. This is what confuses me the most.

So, I have two different mice (Logitec and Microsoft), as well as the onboard controls that don't scroll smoothly on this computer (running XP). The mice work fine on another computer (running Vista). Both computers are completely updated with the latest downloads.

Would it make sense to reset the computer to its original defaults or will that open up another 'can or worms'?

If you haven't already done so, check your setup menu by clicking F2 during boot up. Scroll through and check your settings; including mouse options.

Resetting would make sense (I think), but be sure you have a record of what you've changed so you can get back to where you want to be. If resetting fixes the mouse problem, change your settings again one at a time until you either get to your preferred settings or flummox the mouse again. That way you'll know what not to do, at least... If that doesn't fix the mouse (is it too obvious to say so?) then that wasn't the problem.

Okay. I'll give it a shot this weekend. Wish me luck.

Wireless mouses...sucks. Gieven that, wWhy would anyone want to use one with a laptop?

My laptop is in and out of its case 2 or 3 times a day. I have a Logitech laser wireless mouse with a very small USB connector (only sticks out about 6mm) and it stays in. It just means one less cable to get snagged and is much more convenient. I also use the laptop for presentations with a projector and I can use the wireless mouse on the lectern about 2 - 3 metres from the computer without any problem to operate PowerPoint and also use the pointer 'on-screen'. I wouldn't go back to a wired mouse for a laptop now.

Cheers,

Pete.

Some of us find them comfortable and easier to use...especially when used with a lapdesk while sitting up on the couch or bed.

The new optical mice (mouses?) are not subject to it but, the old ball style mice would collect lint. Turn him over, take the ring around the ball off, there are arrows embossed into it to show you which way to turn it to remove it. Use tweesers to pick all the lint off of the little rods, wheels etc that the wheel rides against. Pop the ball into either the sink or your mouth whichever you prefer. (I kind of lean toward mouth the saliva is slightly acidic and does a great job.) Dry off the ball, re assemble and everything will be OK. Takes les time to do than describe. I like to call it licking his balls...

The mouse that's misbehaving works fine on my other laptop (running Vista) and the mouse I use with the second (Vista) laptop misbehaves the same as the other when connected to the other PC (running XP). In other words: the problem exists only with the laptop running XP. So the mouse does work...just not on this particular laptop.

Anyway, your suggestion to lick the mouse's ball is just gross.

Have you tried other mice, wired or wireless, on this particular troublesome (laptop) pc running XP? If those work, that should eliminate a hardware (and hardware interface) problem...or at least isolate down to a choice between software and the (wireless) mouse sender/receiver.

Some of the Dell notebooks (I'm thinking, 1500 series) do seem to have problems with mouse-pointer tracking instability.

But first... is needed to isolate to hardware, software, or firmware.

Coincidentally, how old is the Dell? How long out of warranty?

Another thing...

Your discussion is entitled "...scrolling...", as if to suggest (are we to understand?) that the choppiness does not present during cross screen pointer traverses? But only when attempting to use window (vertical and? horizontal) scroll bars on screen?

This leads me to another thought: the possibility that an errant finger or base of palm (resting) on or very near the touch pad (and/or on the touch pad scroll bars-especially the horizontal touch pad scroll bar) is interfering with the mouse control... Of course, memory will probably not serve to say if that happened. In such a situation, I would be inclined to reset touch pad sensitivity to the lowest setting, then try the mouse for scrolling to see the result...both with fingers/palm clear and with them touching... This might lead to a reasonable (tentative) conclusion that touch pad interference is at the heart of your problem. Thereafter, you could increase pad sensitivity back up...bearing in mind to keep hands clear of pad when using mouse.

Just some thoughts.

I've tried all your suggestions as well as those from all the other kind folks that have shared their time but still can not resolve the problem. This weekend I was going to attempt to reinstall everything the way it was shipped and then slowly add programs and updates as I go but unfortunately I didn't get to it.

But, to answer your question about the scrolling...it has problems going up/down and across. Inadvertant contact with the touchpad has been ruled out. Also, the problem occurs with a second (Microsoft) mouse from another laptop. Both mice work fine on my other (Vista) laptop.

I'm having trouble finding the time to work on this (who doesn't have a shortage of time?) but will report back as soon as I determine the outcome of reloading software.

Thank you all for your time and advice!! Peace.

Take the time you need; us addicts aren't going anywhere (for long). Oh...isn't there a way to set XP back to factory settings, without reinstalling? I know there is...with Vista.

How are ya,

Pooter trouble is a bummer.

I hope this will help. Open the start menu, right click "My Computer, open "device manager", find in the list mice, keyboards "HID" etc.. See if any red or yellow flags, highlight then right click your device, check driver status. Then delete driver and follow by re-install. You may need to reboot several times and you may need to uninstall the device and the driver and reboot to clean the slate then put'er back in.

Sometimes things just don't work even when all steps have been correct.

I've recollected another problem with a mouse scrolling some years ago. It didn't work completely. After endless OS's reinstalling I've ended up simply copying i8042.sys file(from installation disk) to c:/windows/system32 directory.

You needed to fold it carefully while pushing through the tube eh?

Hello Guest,

I am a guest also and had the same problem. First,does the scrolling issue happen with any other browser? If so than it sounds like after your crash the video drivers were not installed correctly. Most of the time the scrolling you are describing is due to the video drivers not being able to keep up. After you install them, go to the video settings and select advanced and then the adaptor button to make sure that the drivers did in fact install correctly.

The issue I had was with a Nvidia 6100 T series on board video. I had to do a re- format and a complete install. After several installs with the CD that came with the mother board I still had choppy scrolling but had noticed that the display was still using the default system driver. So I un-installed the driver I put in and went to device manager, saw the nvidia icon with the yellow question mark and told it to update the driver via the web and bingo. The scrolling was as smooth as silk. Hope this helps.

MR Guest