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Sticky mouse cursor
My mouse cursor has two personalities. One is that of Windows, with Windows icons, and the other occurs in applications, with icons for those applications (such as the cross in Excel). The cursor frequently sticks when in applications but always works properly when doing basic Windows tasks. My computer is a Dell Dimension XPS running Windows 98 Plus. I've tried for years to solve this problem without success. I have a workaround. When the cursor sticks I go to Control Panel, remove the mouse (software removal), and reboot. This may solve the problem for the day. Every time I shut down I first remove the mouse. When the computer restarts it reinstalls the mouse. It's as if there is some kind of memory for the mouse cursor when in applications that gets filled and must be emptied by removing and reinstalling the mouse. My fix is a tiresome routine. I'd love a real fix.
Steve,
Thanks for taking the time to help. I followed your advice but the problem is still there. In Safe Mode there were 3 monitors, 2 of which I don't have and removed. (These monitors did not show up in normal mode). There was only one mouse listed and I removed it.
wildebill
BigBrother
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Posted December 9th, 2003 22:00
wildebill,
Since the mouse works fine in regular windows, and only hangs up when using some applications, how many applications are running? Press and see how many things are listed in the close programs box. You may be surprised at how many things are loading when you start your computer. You can trim down this list by removing shortcuts from the Windows Startup folder. Click Start -> programs and find the Startup folder. Right click on the things listed there and click remove or delete. These are only shortcuts. This does not delete the programs from your computer. After this, click Start -> Run and type in MSCONFIG. Go to the startup tab and uncheck things which you do not need to have running all of the time. Leave the explorer, systray, both of the "load power profiles" and anything that refers to your printer. You can get some useful guidance from this linkj:
http://www.xptweaks.org/msconfig.html
Steve
Steve,
I tried removing items in the startup folder but encountered problems with applications as a result. I tried another approach that seems to have worked. Occasionally I've gotten a blue screen, apparently unrelated to the mouse cursor sticking, but nevertheless suspicious. The message was "Windows - Terminating thread due to a stack overflow problem. A VxD, possibly recently installed, has consumed too much space. Increase the setting of 'MinSPs' in SYSTEM.INI ............". I followed the advice in MS Knowledge Base Q149083, including the link to Norton Anti-Virus. I ran with MinSPs=8 for many days before the cursor stuck. Now I've set it to 12 - OK so far. I don't understand what VxD's are but they seem related to the problem.
Wildebill
BigBrother
2 Intern
•
4801 Posts
498
0
Posted December 7th, 2003 19:00
wildebill,
Restart the computer in safe mode and remove ALL of the mice from device manager. Remove all of the extra monitors listed there, also. Shut down completely and restart. After the system comes back up and reinstalls these devices, update your mouse driver with the most current one for your particular mouse.
Steve