Mouse pointer moving

[Craig234]

What would cause this and is there any fix other than 'the mouse is broken'?

The mouse works as far as moving the pointer and clicking.

But when left not moving, the mouse cursor keeps moving slowly some direction on the screen - in Windows, in programs, after rebooting.

It's a wired USB mouse Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 Windows 7 Ultimate, less than a year old. Just started happening for no apparent reason.

 

[Craig234]

Solved it, strange. Apparently there was pressure on the mouse cable causing it. I moved the cable out from stuff it was next to and the problem went away.

Update: sort of solved. It keeps happening again some even though the cord is sitting loose, I move it a bit and the problem stops.

 

[Paperdoc]

I suspect there is electrical "noise" in the mouse circuit. Somehow the signals reaching the mobo port are being interpreted as mouse signals indicating movement. We have a similar problem with a wireless remote control unit that we solve by removing its battery for a moment to force a rest. But that is not your situation.

Maybe try two things:
1. Unplug the mouse then re-connnect a couple of times. This may clean off any dirt or corrosion on connector pins in case there's a bad contact there.
2. Try to re-route the mouse cable. It may be going right past a source of high electrical noise that it is picking up.

 

[denis280]

Watch for hair.yes one tinny(F) hair did this to me once

 

[Craig234]

I've used this model of mouse for years, this mouse for months, without this problem without anything changing.

Since the problem temporarily goes away when I pull the cord near the mouse tight, I'm thinking there's not much question it's some sort of short in the cord.

And no idea how that'd be fixed. The mouse is clean, cleaning it doesn't help