What's wrong with my computer?

Alright, I've got a new problem with my computer. God I hate it. Anyway, here's the problem: sometimes, I'll be happily going along, then suddenly my mouse goes crazy, and will only move up and down in one spot! It's very, very strange and really annoying. A minute or two later, it's fine. What the hell is wrong? If you pretend that those 1s are my mouse and its trail, that's what it does. I can't move it anywhere but up and down on its trail.

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

 

Try cleaning the mouse...

or try looking if it's connected properly....




That's MY two cents......

 

First, try Ver's way
If that doesn't work, you have a software problem.
This means that the easiest solution is to backup all of your important documents (read: Arcanum savegames). Reformat your hard drive, and reinstall everything.
But, if you don't really want to go through with that, there are ways of dealing with problems that don't involve starting your hardisk from scratch.
Click Start, then Run, then type "msconfig" without the quotes. Click on the Startup tap, and uncheck anything that you don't recognize at all. Generally, the only thing that should need to be there is software for Broadband connections, and drivers for high-end video and sound cards. Then click OK, and say yes, you want to reboot your computer.

 

I already cleaned my mouse, to no avail, but I'll try the other stuff. Thanks!

 

I'd add a step there between "clean your mouse" and "reformat your hard drive"; Try another mouse that you know works. Alternatively, try your mouse on another computer. This will let you know where the problem lies.

I use an optical trackball, and I have the same problem. In my case, it is the mouse. Just removing the ball and rubbing around the inside with a cloth isn't enough to fix it because the little LED is in a slot where crud accumulates. Just rubbing around the inside doesn't clean out the little hollow where the LED is. I have to either (a) blast it with some duster spray, or (b) blow on it hard enough to send the cruddy, dead-skin-and-funk ball flying out of the LED hole directly into my eye. That always does the trick.

BUT if it doesn't, before you go so far as to format and reinstall all your shit, try uninstalling/reinstalling your mice drivers. It couldn't hurt and it just might fix your problem.

BTW, I second Icairus' suggestion to clean up your startup. It might or might not have anything to do with this, but it can make your computer run with more stability. It's a pain in the ass if you're not sure what all that shit in the startup menu is, but with some patience you'll get through it. Basically, uncheck all the shit that you know FOR SURE you won't need everytime the computer starts up. Then reboot and see if everything's cool. Then move onto the items you're not sure of and uncheck them one by one, rebooting each time.

 

well if you have a mouseball...sometimes it gets dirty just like Milo said....sometimes its best to just replace the ball itself, if you go a long period without ever cleaning it the mouse tracks that is...the dirty tracks make a little tiny dents and even after cleaning you still have problems..its because of those dents. so go to Walmart or your nearby computer store and replace the ball. If that dont work..uninstall the drivers....good luck...

 

This may not apply, but what you described is exactly indicative of optical mouse problems. If you have a mouse ball ignore this, but if you have an optical mouse then try changing the surface you use as a mouse mat. Optical mice rely on lasers and a camera and any surface that has a reflective component or is matt black or red will either refract, reflect or absorb the laser and make it hard for you mouse to determine what it's doing.

 

I never knew about the black and red thing. That explains why my other mouse doesn't work so well. It's the damn Verizon mousepad.

 

Can you hear me now? How about now?

 

Can my mouse click on that Ore Golem moving menacingly towards me? No, the black and red decorative pattern is fucking up my optical mouse.

 

Sounds like your computer's come down with a bad case of digital cancer.

 

Or a bad user, i find that to be the problem in most cases. If those darn user would just stay away from the computers they would work perfectly, damn.

 

Great idea, cut out the middle man... Preferably in small pieces, THEN mail him to Coal Lumpur...

That's one less problem in the world