Cursor flashes strange shadow - systemwide problem

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Level 1

25 points

Cursor flashes strange shadow - systemwide problem

Since installing Tiger on my iMac G4 my cursor flashes a sort-of distorted shadow when it's dragged over web links and text fields. This happens when the arrow cursor switches to the finger or the text cursor; there is a moment in this transition when the cursor blinks a larger, pixelated version of itself that trails just behind the actual cursor. It's mostly noticeable in places with darker backgrounds (anything other than white) such as web pages and the iTunes quick search field (which is surrounded by that brushed metal-looking background).

At first I thought this problem was restricted only to web browsers, but I've since noticed it occurring systemwide.

Posted on Jul 12, 2005 10:31 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 13, 2005 10:32 AM in response to R Collins

Hello,

I have the exact same problem with my mouse cursor / pointer. When the cursor changes from pointer to hand (via mouseovers) in Safari and Firefox, the cursor goes static-y for small amount of time. I've tried everything and I was hoping 10.4.1 and 10.4.2 would of addressed the aforementioned..

- installing and using Firefox

- switching USB ports

- using different mouses Logitech MX510 ~> MS Intellimouse 3.0

- uninstalling the Logitech MX510 software

- changing the cursor size system preferences ~> Universal Access ~> Mouse ~> Cursor Size.. its impossible not to notice the static, shimmering distorted pixel trail with the larger mouse cursor

Is my logic board failing or is this a Tiger os 10.4.x bug? I undersatnd that my iMac doesn't support Core Image... and I didn't have this cursor glitch with the Panther 10.3.x os. Anybody else having this problem?

Matthew

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Answer 2

R Collins Author

Level 1

25 points

Jul 13, 2005 8:44 PM in response to Matthew102

Oh good, so I'm not the only one experiencing this problem. I also just upgraded from 10.4.1 to 10.4.2 and the cursor flickering persists. I was renaming some files on my desktop just a few minutes ago and the darn thing was going crazy. It's a very irritating little bug.

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2005 9:49 AM in response to R Collins

Same here, 10.4.2 didn't resolve the problem for me either,, it appears that you, me, "HOM" and "lordoftheoats" are afflicted with this bug..

look:
http://forums.applenova.com/showthread.php?t=6247&page=1&pp=30

"HOM" in the middle of page 1 and "lordoftheoats" in the middle of page 2

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Answer 4

Jul 21, 2005 2:24 AM in response to R Collins

My computer is doing it, too.

I've discovered that it only affects my Dell 20" widescreen LCD which is plugged into the DVI port. It does not affect my smaller 15" LCD plugged into the ADC port (with an ADC-to-VGA adapter).

In other words, it only affects the digital monitor, not the analog one.

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Answer 5

Anja G.

Level 1

125 points

Jul 23, 2005 9:18 AM in response to R Collins

I was wondering, did you upgrade to 10.4 or did you do a clean install?
I did upgrade and have the same problem with the cursor.

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Answer 6

Jul 23, 2005 11:22 AM in response to Anja G.

I did a clean install onto a brand new hard drive.

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Answer 7

Jul 23, 2005 3:45 PM in response to Anja G.

clean installed as well.

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Answer 8

R Collins Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 12, 2005 6:56 PM in response to Anja G.

I did a clean install - in fact, I went as far as to zero out all the data on my hard drive; I backed up everything first, of course. I hope they find a solution to this problem, it's quite annoying when you're trying to use Photoshop and your cursor is threatening to give you a seizure.

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Answer 9

Aug 12, 2005 10:21 PM in response to R Collins

Does anyone have support on their Mac and can call Apple on this issue?

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Answer 10

R Collins Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 13, 2005 9:08 AM in response to Barry Brown3

Hey, that's a good idea! I hadn't thought to do that. I'm not sure if my support has run out yet; I'll have to check...

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Answer 11

Leandro

Level 2

275 points

Aug 27, 2005 10:50 AM in response to R Collins

Yep, I got it to and its been annoying the heck out of me. Definitely system wide and appears in every app so far I think. My process, re formatted my drive, installed 10.3.9, cloned my back up back to the new drive, and did an archive and install with 10.4.2. Did this all a few weeks ago when my iMac came back from Applecare to get the superdrive replaced. I thought it was my logitech drivers or microsoft drivers, but nope. My ibook 1.2 does not have this behavior. Anyone find anything out?

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Answer 12

Leandro

Level 2

275 points

Aug 29, 2005 10:16 AM in response to Leandro

Is this just a 10.4 bug affecting flat panel imacs?

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Answer 13

AyaBrea

Level 2

415 points

Oct 15, 2005 8:44 PM in response to R Collins

So I am not alone with this "pointer glitch". This happens to me but not only with Safari and Firefox but with Mac Help and many softwares including Photoshop, iCal, etc. Everywhere my cursor is changing. I got an LCD screen ViewSonic VP171s connected in DVI so I thought I should connect it via Analog to fix the problem but it was hopeless. Next, I had replaced my old GeForce 2 to a newer GeForce 4MX so I thought it could be the new video card but by reinstalling the old card, nothing changed. Next, I have plugged a CRT screen to replace my LCD display and it was useless. Finally, I have formatted and reinstalled Tiger and that pointer glitch is still there.

Please, let me know if someone find a solution. It seems that Tiger is buggy.

AB

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Answer 14

Dec 16, 2005 11:16 AM in response to R Collins

same with me! iMac G5 20" Revision A and systemwide. It is really annoying and i fear that tis may be a hardware problem?

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Answer 15

zbud

Level 1

35 points

Mar 10, 2006 8:05 AM in response to darkfiber

Has anyone received a reply from Apple regarding
this mouseover shadow issue?
I am getting it on a Powerbook 12".
Thanks!
z

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