I've developed mouse problems

[BoomerD]

For some unknown reason, in the past couple of days, my Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000 wired mouse has started acting up. When I try to move across the screen, up, down, sideways, whatever, it jumps and jitters like I've got Parkinson's or something. It's hell to try to hit a link with it...almost like close my eyes and hope for the best...and gaming has become almost impossible.

I plugged in an older (still new in the box) PS/2 mouse that I had in my "junk box," and it moves just fine, but, it doesn't have a scroll wheel, and I kind of like that feature.

I've uninstalled the MS Intellipoint software, installed the newest version of the drivers...and no change. If anything, its gotten worse.

I realize the standard answer is "Buy a new mouse," but if this is something I can fix myself, then I'd rather do that.

The optical port on the bottom is clean and lint/dust free. I already checked that.

The mouse is about 2 years old and I'm running Vista 32 bit.

Any ideas or suggestions ? (other than "Buy a new mouse.")

 

[Billb2]

Those symptoms can be caused by a bad calbe. They ususlly fail right where the cable exits (enters?) the mouse. Sometimes opening the mouse and stuffing about an inch of cable back inside will keep the critter alive for a while.

 

[BoomerD]

I've been wondering about the cable connection. For a couple of months, when I'd move the mouse, instead of going in the desired direction, it'd move the cursor at a diagonal, or just sideways. A little "push" on the cable into the mouse would correct that.

Maybe it's just time to buy a new one...like it or not. This dammed thing was about $45 just 2 years ago...It SHOULD last longer than that. :|

 

[BoomerD]

I took a moistened q-tip and cleaned the "optical port" of the mouse today. It's working better, but still not as smooth as it should be.