Computer mouse behaving mousey today

[glocye]

My mouse has been behaving strangely today.

Whether it is Microsoft Windows OS or Linux OS, when I click and hold down the left mouse button to select text and release it, the highlighted text disappears. It means that I have to re-select it. I may need to repeat it a few more times before I can select the text for copying and pasting onto another part of my document.

I do not think the USB port into which my mouse is plugged is at fault because the latter exhibits the exact same behavior on my wife's notebook computer.

What is happening?

Is my desktop computer infected by a yet-to-be-discovered virus?

Is my mouse due for a replacement?

 

[SamMaster]

If it does it in Windows AND Linux, it cannot be a software issue (aka viruses or drivers), so first thing is to check on the hardware level. Try with a different mouse.

It could be a double-clicking effect going on, as in after releasing the mouse button, it somehow receives another signal to click. I have a mouse that double-clicks every now and then on one of its side buttons (its a very old MX510). Is it a new mouse, or is it a few years old? If new, is it still under warranty? Is it a cheap 10$ mouse or one that is decently built?

 

[C1]

I suppose it could be the switch in the mouse going bad, but it is hard to see how any failure mode would produce the effect that is being experienced.

In control panel/mouse - try different button click speed settings to see if you can find a setting that makes a noticeable change/improvement.