Version 21H1
Mouse: 5-button generic
My mouse's movements are very erratic, sometimes appearing in a different location. My mouse driver is from 2006 and, using Device Manager, no better driver is found. I've searched for a more up-to-date driver, but couldn't find one.
Can anyone point me to a better mouse driver, or another solution?
Hi, FWIW my Logitech driver is also from 2006...
When did this problem start?
When your mouse last worked properly, what was different?
Have you tried with a different mouse?
How is your mouse connected to your PC?
There are numerous threads on tenforums related to
erratic mouse
if you care to search.
E.g.
Erratic mouse movements
Mouse pointer moving erratically
and more... these may give you some ideas.
Thanks very much for your reply.
I think the problem started in the last three weeks, but not sure. (I recently moved and have been doing a lot of other activities.)
Good suggestion on trying a different mouse. I'll see if I have one and see what happens.
The mouse is connected via USB cable.
I did a search (or two) on this topic, and did see your second thread. I'm surprised there isn't a readily available driver newer than 2006.
I had a old but good MS ergonomic USB cable mouse.
It began to fail and work with very erratic movements.
I found out that is was a broken wire inside the cable, just near the mouse.
Near the mouse, the cable bends on the same point, breaking the the wire inside the cable.
I cut the cable 5cm (2") and it fixed the problem.
Last edited by Megahertz; 31 Oct 2021 at 06:40.
Hello, are you using the mouse on the same surface as you did before? I have a white table and that causes all sorts of issues to red light mouses, or mice? I have a laser mouse now, works great.
Yes, same mouse pad. I imagine the best solution would be to buy a new mouse. Before doing that, can anyone point me to a more recent driver for a generic 5-button mouse?
What make and model mouse do you have? Erratic mouse behavior can have many causes. Old hardware can be a problem. A rechargeable mouse with an old non-replaceable battery can cause erratic behavior. You should try a different mouse to see if you've still got the problem. Part substitution is an effective way to troubleshoot problems. Everyone should have a spare mouse.
A driver change/update is highly unlikely to resolve this issue. MS generic drivers for such basic hardware as a mouse, keyboard, etc are quite adequate.
Behaviour as you describe for a USB mouse is more likely to be caused by ...
- broken cable (as stated above)
- faulty USB port (any indication in Device Manager?)
- dirty and/or failing mouse sensor
- mouse pad
You have not indicated what type of computer - desktop PC or laptop. If laptop, the touchpad can also affect hand-mouse behaviour (e.g. accidental brushing/bumping). If laptop, disable the touchpad.
Get a new mouse.
Indeed, the mouse is rather old, and looks it. I'm on a desktop, the mouse is a Monoprice 5-button ergonomic optical mouse. The cable appears OK, but as noted, it may not be.
Thanks for all your help, now to find a replacement mouse.
I got a new mouse yesterday and the problem has been resolved. Many thanks for your comments and suggestions.
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