mouse pointer moves by itself

[avant12]

*

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Perhaps you could check out this topic:

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,56953.0.html

[programming_pat]

how old is the optical mouse?

sometimes when hardware is starting to fail it does weird things.

i have personally never come accross a situation where a hacker makes the mouse move. they dont want you to know that they are doing it, so they don't make it obvious until it is too late,

as long as youhave anti-virus/anti-spyware & a firewall installed you will be fine

[Dias de verano]

I have seen my mouse pointer do this, it always goes horizontally, and it stops when I pick the mouse up. I haven't been hacked.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

^ It's actually new, so I don't think it's a hardware problem.

I sometimes have this problem when I accidentally touch the mouse pad with my hand.
Do you think you might be touching the mouse pad unintentionally (assuming this is a new laptop)?

Perhaps this could be the case?

I don't think random jolting of the mouse is a sign of you being hacked.

[cryhelp]

Try cleaning bottom of mouse, If you are using it on smooth surface, change that, unplug and replug.  If none of the suggestions you have so far work, we need your computer info.  See reply from Carbon Dudeoxide:  http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,56953.0.html

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Try cleaning bottom of mouse, If you are using it on smooth surface, change that.

That's a good point. This is partly the reason why we use mouse pads. If you are using a mouse on a shiny/reflective surface, you can expect some odd responses.

[Spoiler]

Read about this happening before. It had to do with the video drivers. I can't remember the fix off the top of my head. I will look into it.

For now would you list out the hardware you have in your system?

Thanks

[cryhelp]

Try this:Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Printers and other Hardware, and then click Mouse.
3. In the Mouse Properties dialog box, click the Device Settings tab.
4. Under Devices, select your touchpad, click Disable, and then click OK.
You may have a driver conflict and if so this should cure it.

[Eg0Death]

Could you be brushing the touchpad while typing?  Following the advice from cryhelp would also help if this is the case. 

[SuperDave]

If you're worried about being hacked, try disconnecting from the net and see if the cursor still moves.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

If you're worried about being hacked, try disconnecting from the net and see if the cursor still moves.

Now why didn't we think of that before.... Nice suggestion SuperDave 

[Eg0Death]

An errant mouse cursor is not indicative of being hacked.
Is your current mouse wired or wireless? 
Do you have another mouse you can use?  Try using a different mouse and see if the cursor still roams. 

[Dias de verano]

Thanks for all the help. I disabled the touch pad, it still occurs. I also tried disconnecting from the Internet, the cursor may have moved, but I'm not sure (same when I just used the touchpad). Do you really think it's possible that the computer's hacked?

It may or may not be hacked, but I don't think that's why the cursor moves.

[quaxo]

Actually, I have a mousepad, and it's not shiny/reflective..

Even a very slight gloss can make an optical mouse behave in the manner you describe. Try using something else and see if it still happens, like a piece of regular paper, PVC or vinyl mouse pad, or unpolished wood. The best surface for an optical mouse is a flat colored surface without any reflective properties at all. Believe it or not, some opticals work on surfaces that others don't. The mouse pad I am using now wouldn't work with my Logitech optical mouse (it would do what you're talking about), but it works fine with my Microsoft optical mouse.

If you have one, also try another mouse.

It may or may not be hacked, but I don't think that's why the cursor moves.

I agree. I very seriously doubt this is the issue.

[Dias de verano]

Even a very slight gloss can make an optical mouse behave in the manner you describe

The absolutely worst possible surface for an optical mouse is a mirror.

[quaxo]

Even a very slight gloss can make an optical mouse behave in the manner you describe

The absolutely worst possible surface for an optical mouse is a mirror.

I had my mouse sitting on top of this magazine on my desk. Even the slight gloss the cover had made the cursor run all over the place.

[patio]

I had my wireless mouse in the bathroom once and the mirror moved all over the place erraticly...

[Eg0Death]

I had my wireless mouse in the bathroom once and the mirror moved all over the place erraticly...

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I had my wireless mouse in the bathroom once and the mirror moved all over the place erraticly...

Don't question Mr. Moderator   

[Eg0Death]

Mr. Moderator has confused Mr. Me.

[street1 (RIP)]

Mirror Mirror on the wall.........

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

In short, mouses don't work well with shiny/reflective surfaces/mirrors ....in fact, they don't work at all with mirrors.

[street1 (RIP)]

In short, mouses don't work well with shiny/reflective surfaces/mirrors ....in fact, they don't work at all with mirrors.

So, is that a reflection on their shortcomings ?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

In short, mouses don't work well with shiny/reflective surfaces/mirrors ....in fact, they don't work at all with mirrors.

So, is that a reflection on their shortcomings ?

They just lack the ability to reflect on their actions.




...failed attempt...   

[Eg0Death]

I had my wireless mouse in the bathroom once and the mirror moved all over the place erraticly...

The moving mirror is what confused me.  I was looking for a double entendre or some other humorous interpretation.  Perhaps it is a typo?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

HAHA! The mirror moved all over the place, erratically....all because you brought a mouse into the bathroom, hilarious!

 

[kasrawis]

I have Windows Vista, and sometimes the mouse pointer moves by itself, an inch or so to the left or right, or jumps to one of the corners of the screen or to the time. What could be causing this? It's an optical mouse, but there's nothing blocking the light. I read somewhere if the mouse moves by itself, your computer could be hacked? Is this true?

you have to change your mouse now that is 90% sure that hardware failure 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

I have Windows Vista, and sometimes the mouse pointer moves by itself, an inch or so to the left or right, or jumps to one of the corners of the screen or to the time. What could be causing this? It's an optical mouse, but there's nothing blocking the light. I read somewhere if the mouse moves by itself, your computer could be hacked? Is this true?

you have to change your mouse now that is 90% sure that hardware failure 

I would suggest trying someone else's mouse before buying a new one.

[quaxo]

I have Windows Vista, and sometimes the mouse pointer moves by itself, an inch or so to the left or right, or jumps to one of the corners of the screen or to the time. What could be causing this? It's an optical mouse, but there's nothing blocking the light. I read somewhere if the mouse moves by itself, your computer could be hacked? Is this true?

you have to change your mouse now that is 90% sure that hardware failure 

Not likely.

1. The poster mentioned it was a new mouse.
2. It's an optical mouse, they tend to do this depending on the surface they're on.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

2. It's an optical mouse, they tend to do this depending on the surface they're on.

I have an optical mouse and if I lift it about a centimeter off the table, the mouse goes crazy and jumps around.

[street1 (RIP)]

2. It's an optical mouse, they tend to do this depending on the surface they're on.

I have an optical mouse and if I lift it about a centimeter off the table, the mouse goes crazy and jumps around.

Do you have an optical cat?

[quaxo]

2. It's an optical mouse, they tend to do this depending on the surface they're on.

I have an optical mouse and if I lift it about a centimeter off the table, the mouse goes crazy and jumps around.

That's because the sensor can't see the light properly.

[patio]

Peckerwood is an optical woodpecker...
 

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Peckerwood is an optical woodpecker...
 

Lol, what's that supposed to mean?

[patio]

Street1 will fill in the details...

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Street1 I summon you!!!

[street1 (RIP)]

http://www.birds-away.com/

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Heh, we better put one on the forums   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Someone deleted something....

[quaxo]

while i was reinstalling my OS i saw one new feature the Remote Desktop Assistance i think it was called where someone can control your computer from theirs if they are connected it may work if connected wirelessly but i dont know this program or whatever it is too well i just though it was cool.

Remote Assistance has been around for years in one form or another (originally part of Microsoft NetMeeting in Windows98, perhaps Windows95, I can't remember which). In WindowsXP it works with the Help and Support Center and Windows Live Messenger. Windows Vista has it as a stand-alone program. It's nothing new, though.