absolutely no response from mouse on white ikea desk...anyone ever heard of this?

mitchafi

Golden Member
Mar 25, 2004
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I'd been using a fairly standard cheap ikea desk...chipboard with black surface.

Upgraded to a bigger one with a white glossy surface...and can't get the cursor on my logitech mx518 to move so much one inch. Works like a charm on any other surface...including a mousepad so it's no big deal. Just a little surprised!
 

bononos

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2011
3,923
181
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The mx518 has an optical sensor which does not track on glossy surfaces like your tabletop or glossy magazine pages etc. Mice with laser sensors will generally work on glossy surfaces.
 

BrightCandle

Diamond Member
Mar 15, 2007
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Many people don't realise how poor mice are on many suboptimal surfaces. They often skip and jump and jitter but not enough to make them unusable but enough to feel a little off. Ideally you want to be using a mat that matches the sensor and its setup.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
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The problem is the glossy surface. Use a piece of paper and it should work OK.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
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This info up here is absolutely not true. I have the performance mouse mx with darkfield and it DOES NOT(!) work on white glossy surfaces.

Once more (with feeling!) The problem is GLOSSY!
 

Automaticman

Member
Sep 3, 2009
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0
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This info up here is absolutely not true. I have the performance mouse mx with darkfield and it DOES NOT(!) work on white glossy surfaces.

I have the Anywhere Mouse MX that works wonderfully on a glass coffee table that no mouse I tried previously worked on at all. I don't think I ever tried it on a white glossy surface, but it seems like glass would be even more difficult to track on...

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/anywhere-mouse-mx?crid=7
 

Dolly girl

Junior Member
Apr 8, 2018
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0
1
Same problem here. Didn’t buy the more expensive Bekkent (sp) IKEA L shaped system this time bought a cheaper white version. And my mouse doesn’t track well on it. It’s not a real large surface area so putting a mouse pad down sounds like a bad idea. Plus I hate using mouse pads because you are working within a very small 6 inch space and you’re constantly adjusting your hand to stay on the pad. Anything else I can do?
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
Get some grid paper like this one: http://www.theroyalstore.com/poster-board-white-gridboard-11x14-5pk-p-11153.html
Just tape it down at the corners. It will work just fine with any mouse ... I currently use it with Logitech LX-7 mouse
Grid-Board-Poster-Boards-Royal-Brites-Size-11-x-14-TheRoyalstore-com-M.jpg
 
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bigboxes

Lifer
Apr 6, 2002
40,875
12,294
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Same problem here. Didn’t buy the more expensive Bekkent (sp) IKEA L shaped system this time bought a cheaper white version. And my mouse doesn’t track well on it. It’s not a real large surface area so putting a mouse pad down sounds like a bad idea. Plus I hate using mouse pads because you are working within a very small 6 inch space and you’re constantly adjusting your hand to stay on the pad. Anything else I can do?

I use a mouse pad due to preference. I set the mouses sensitivity to 3/4-4/5 because I don't like to have to keep on lifting up the mouse to get it across large real estate. You just have to get used to it. It's really better not to move your hand as much and cuts down on repetitive injuries. So, arm rests, large keyboard trays, mouse pads and high sensitivity mice are best for ergonomics. I also love my mechanical keyboard, too.
 
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DigDog

Lifer
Jun 3, 2011
14,237
2,700
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Same problem here. Didn’t buy the more expensive Bekkent (sp) IKEA L shaped system this time bought a cheaper white version. And my mouse doesn’t track well on it. It’s not a real large surface area so putting a mouse pad down sounds like a bad idea. Plus I hate using mouse pads because you are working within a very small 6 inch space and you’re constantly adjusting your hand to stay on the pad. Anything else I can do?

mice not tracking on weird surfaces used to be a daily problem, years ago, but nowadays it's probably a cheapo mouse you have. However, to solve the problem, you could get a mousemat. Mousemats are cool in more ways than one.

My current favourite is the Silent Monsters XXL which is not only a Quake-level mousemat, it's also cheaper than most and available on Amazon, and it's also HUGE, which is good, and it now comes in swaggy designs, too.