Minor Mouse Problem

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**4oursword**

Ok, this is mostly related to TF2, but I've also witnessed it occurring when using my PC normally.

Basically, the movement from my wireless optical mouse becomes jerky when used on the surface of my desk or a book. It's a recent thing, starting since I bought, then quickly returned, a graphics tablet. This may be coincidence, but the only surface my mouse is performing well on is the lid of my nearby laptop. It happens more often when playing TF2. Also, during a few games, mouse movement has stopped moving the reticle, leaving my Engineer looking very silly as he wanders around looking straight forwards.

Is there anyone out there who can help?

Also, I moved my PC further away from the main desk. While only by about 12in/ 30cm, there is now a large fan in the way. Is that the problem? And if it is, why would putting the mouse on a laptop, which is next to it's current location fix it?

Anyone have any bright ideas?

**Avatar 720**

4oursword wrote:
Ok, this is mostly related to TF2, but I've also witnessed it occurring when using my PC normally.

Basically, the movement from my wireless optical mouse becomes jerky when used on the surface of my desk or a book. It's a recent thing, starting since I bought, then quickly returned, a graphics tablet. This may be coincidence, but the only surface my mouse is performing well on is the lid of my nearby laptop. It happens more often when playing TF2. Also, during a few games, mouse movement has stopped moving the reticle, leaving my Engineer looking very silly as he wanders around looking straight forwards.

Is there anyone out there who can help?

Also, I moved my PC further away from the main desk. While only by about 12in/ 30cm, there is now a large fan in the way. Is that the problem? And if it is, why would putting the mouse on a laptop, which is next to it's current location fix it?

Anyone have any bright ideas?

Is it a USB mouse? Have you tried it in other ports? Have you tried it in a different machine? Have you tested other mice?

**4oursword**

USB mouse, used in other computer without this problem, not tried other ports, not tried other reliable mouse.

**Super Ready**

Simple diagnostic step number 1 - move the fan away again, see if that helps. It doesn't sound like that'll be the problem, but it should be easiest to try. Otherwise, I would suggest delving into the settings for the mouse (driver settings if they're available) and check such things as sensitivity, DPI and so on. If necessary reinstall the drivers, or if you're not using any yet, find some and install them.

**LordofHats**

If its a wireless mouse and you moved your computer further away you might just be to far from the receiver. Some wireless receivers on mice and keyboards have insanely short range. My keyboard need to be withing two feet of its receiver or its starts cutting out.

You can also try cleaning the surface of your desk and the underside of the mouse as gunk builds up on them as you move the mouse around and can clog up the sensor.

**Skinnereal**

Unplug ALL other USB kit, everything you don't need when playing.
I usually find this problem when another USB device is working in the background. 3G dongles are the worst, I find.

The problem is that a lot of internal kit uses the USB bus. Hard drives and DVD drives can use it, as can sound cards.

If you're using Wifi, anything electrical could conceivably cause noise on the same frequency, blocking traffic.
This would affect network speed, and mouse/keyboard use, if Wifi or Bluetooth. Turn off the fan, and see it that helps.

**4oursword**

I moved the fan and put the USB reciever into my USB hub. It's nearer, so maybe that was it.