Graiai

Q: Mouse clicking, clicking, clicking, and...

I've got a 17" PowerBook G4. It's a little bit sick but it works.

 

I have a hard time using the track pad, though, because of lack of precision. And I've always used a wired Apple Mouse.

 

Occasionally when I open the computer and plug in the mouse, the mouse will click rapidly and repeatedly on its own. When the clicking frenzy happens seems to be random. I can't figure out if it relates to something. I bought a new mouse but am having the same problem.

 

Has anyone experienced this? How should I go about fixing it?

PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 30, 2011 5:36 AM

Close

Q: Mouse clicking, clicking, clicking, and...

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jul 30, 2011 11:07 AM in response to Graiai
    Level 8 (35,212 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2011 11:07 AM in response to Graiai

    When the trackpad starts acting out, the first step is to remove the main battery and inspect it for swelling, leaking gor any other signs of distortion. If a battery swells, it puts upward presure on the underside of the trackpad assembly and can casue very strange behavior.

     

    Of couse, the trackpad could simpy be tired. I have a 17" PowerBook from 2003 whose original owner really hammerd the tackpad and there is now a dead spot near the right edge.

     

    However, the other symptoms you describe strong suggest a battery issue.

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Jul 30, 2011 2:34 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2011 2:34 PM in response to Allan Jones

    It's not the trackpad, though. It's a USB mouse.

     

    Does the same apply?

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Jul 30, 2011 2:50 PM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Jul 30, 2011 2:50 PM in response to Graiai

    Graiai wrote:

     

    Occasionally when I open the computer and plug in the mouse, the mouse will click rapidly and repeatedly on its own. When the clicking frenzy happens seems to be random. I can't figure out if it relates to something. I bought a new mouse but am having the same problem.

    Does this happen if you uplug the mouse, or startup with only the trackpad? If you are using a different mouse the issue may be in the trackpad, and can quite conceivably be caused by pressure from the battery as Allan suggests.

     

    cornelius

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Jul 31, 2011 3:48 AM in response to cornelius
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 31, 2011 3:48 AM in response to cornelius

    That didn't work. I've tried the mouse in both USB ports. And tried two different mice.

    Any other ideas?

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Jul 31, 2011 9:33 AM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 9:33 AM in response to Graiai

    Graiai wrote:

     

    That didn't work. I've tried the mouse in both USB ports. And tried two different mice.

    Any other ideas?

    What didn't work? Do you mean you tried booting without the mouse plugged in? Did you have the jumping around without the mouse connected?

     

    cornelius

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Jul 31, 2011 10:11 AM in response to cornelius
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 31, 2011 10:11 AM in response to cornelius

    I booted the computer without the mouse connected and without the battery in.

     

    Mouse behaved the same.

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Jul 31, 2011 10:52 AM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 10:52 AM in response to Graiai

    I am trying to see if we can locate the source of the issue by isolating the trackpad function from the mouse. I do not want to know about the mouse as we already know how it behaves, so don't plug it in at all. Simply boot the computer without the mouse plugged in. Test the trackpad. Do you get the jumping around from working with the trackpad?

     

    cornelius

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Jul 31, 2011 11:51 AM in response to cornelius
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 31, 2011 11:51 AM in response to cornelius

    No I don't.

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Jul 31, 2011 4:25 PM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 4:25 PM in response to Graiai

    Graiai wrote:

     

    No I don't.

    That would seem to eliminate the concern Allan noted about the battery, since the Trackpad seems to be functioning normally. That would seem to indicate that the issue is somehow connected to using the mouse. If you are using a USB mouse is it connected directly to the computer, or via a hub? If the latter, try connecting directly to the computer. Another thought is if you have access to a wireless mouse it might be interesting to see whether that makes a difference.

     

    cornelius

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Aug 1, 2011 8:36 AM in response to cornelius
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 1, 2011 8:36 AM in response to cornelius

    I used the Magic Mouse that came with my Mac Pro. It worked.

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Aug 1, 2011 8:55 AM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Aug 1, 2011 8:55 AM in response to Graiai

    Great! Looks like your issue might be with your USB port or hub, if you are using one.

     

    cornelius

  • by Graiai,

    Graiai Graiai Aug 1, 2011 8:59 AM in response to cornelius
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 1, 2011 8:59 AM in response to cornelius

    it's both ports though. that's the weird thing

  • by cornelius,

    cornelius cornelius Aug 1, 2011 10:18 AM in response to Graiai
    Level 6 (17,825 points)
    Aug 1, 2011 10:18 AM in response to Graiai

    Graiai wrote:

     

    it's both ports though. that's the weird thing

    Weird it is. Do the port with other devices?

     

    cornelius