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Level 1

8 points

Mighty Mouse Problem - Jerky And Jumpy

I seem to have developed a problem with my cordless Mighty Mouse in the past few days. It's become really erratic - seems to jump around the screen. When I'm moving the mouse to a certain position on the screen, it will just "jump" way over to one side for no apparent reason.

I cleaned the mouse, changed the batteries, checked all the settings. I made a few changes in the Keyboard and Mouse control panel and saved the changes (just to update the preference file) and then reverted back to the old settings. I've tried a different surface (you'd think that would be the main problem - the surface it's on - but that's not the case). Restarted numerous times. Ran YASU. Nothing changes - it just seems to be really "jerky" and "jumpy" all of a sudden.

Has anyone else had this happen and do you have any suggestions on how I can fix this problem? Is this maybe a defective mouse? I've had the mouse for 3 months now.

Maybe this is a system software problem? I haven't changed anything on my system in a few weeks - no updates or anything at all.

Thanks so much,
Gerard

iMac 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - 4 GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 17, 2009 6:00 PM

101 replies

May 28, 2009 1:41 PM in response to i.campbell

Has anyone tried an apple 24" display on the MiniDisplayPort to see if the mouse jumpiness is the same as with 3rd party monitors?

I get the same results as others, and I'm on a new iMac 24" with a VA1912wb on DVI external, and when I plug it in my mouse goes jumpy and when I unplug it everything goes back to normal. I've tried unloading 10-15 non-needed kext files, and even went back to old versions of the mouse USB and HID stuff to try it, but still no joy.

Any news on apple display would be appreciated.

G4Monster

Level 2

334 points

Jun 24, 2009 9:49 PM in response to Gerard James

Are you using the mouse at the same level as the mac? Not that you should have to. I just bought a new MBP tonight. MM doesn't work on the 2009 MBp. It works fabulously on the early 2008 MBP. Go figure. Tried using the mouse at various elevates. My MBP is elevated on a griffin stand. There are three possible and two plausible operating levels for the mouse.

1. On my under desk pull-out keyboard tray
2. On my desk
3. On a mouse pad on top of the computer (just as a test)

Wouldn't you know the mouse works BEST and most reliably when I have the mouse at the same level as the MBP's aluminum body (#3). I barely works at all in situation 1. It works intermittently in situation 2.

In all fairness I connected this new MBP to my Time Machine backup. It doesn't seem that my BT devices were auto-configured for the new machine. In other words, I had to set them up myself. This was the most painful, time consuming Mac setup of a BT devices ever. Something seems very wrong though I cannot ascertain the root cause.

Jul 17, 2009 2:59 PM in response to Juan Cano1

Hi,

do you confirm that the kind of jump that you note on MM is occurring when you are using an intensive application? What happens to me (even with 10.5.7) is that, when I open an application like Iphoto, during its loading, if I move the mouse, the pointer makes an excursion which is much faster and larger than what it should do (or it does when cpu is not workloaded). Is this the kind of jerkiness / jumpiness you refer to? I posted a detailed description of this in the attached post. It shall be noted that a similar jumpiness occurred once also with the trackpad (I am quite sure of that). Thank you for your attention and to feedback please.

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9829094#9829094

Message was edited by: califfo1975

azpc

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:29 AM in response to califfo1975

Same problem here. All of sudden my mouse pointer appears in another location on my screen. In addition, I have noticed that when the computer is busy processing something the mouse tends toward jumpy exaggerated movements. I spent over an hour with Apple care with this problem. Unfortunately, the Apple Care database did not have a mention of this problem. I directed the representative to this forum and to google. (Search jumpy mouse bluetoothmac)

The Apple Care representative was really surprised to see how many people were reporting this problem! This tells me that we really need to do two things:

1. Fill out the feedback forums on the Apple website and mention this problem.
2. Call Apple Care so they are aware of the scale of the problem.

Here is hoping that 10.58 solves this frustrating issue! (A smooth responsive mouse is an absolute basic function that must work!) The last time I had this problem was back in 1991-1992 with Windows 3.0 and a serial mouse!

azpc

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:37 AM in response to azpc

I need to add to the above post that Microsoft Intellipoint 7.0 software did not change the jumpy behavior of the mouse. In addition, I have checked in with others having the same exact problem and they report that Steermouse did not solve the jumpy mouse problems.

However, I can report my mouse works perfectly under Bootcamp with Windows XP SP3. So it appears to me that the issue is definitely, software related.

Jul 19, 2009 9:46 AM in response to azpc

thank you for your reply: when you say that pointer goes another part of the screen, does it do it by itself or is it happening in correspondance to your action on the mouse? As I highlighted here above, is it like an exagerated pointer excursion vs. motion your are requesting to your mouse?
Thanks

azpc

Level 1

10 points

Jul 19, 2009 11:21 AM in response to califfo1975

My most common problem is the mouse pointer instantly reappearing in another location on my screen. I will be working away getting ready to click on a menu or an icon and all of a sudden the mouse is in another location!

However, less frequently, I have seen my mouse pointer do exactly what you are describing! The exaggerated movements occur when the processor is occupied with another task.

I sure hope Apple will figure this problem out and issue a fix.

Jul 19, 2009 11:36 AM in response to azpc

Thanks; honestly I do not have the first issue you are describing (but there are a lots of people complaining about it) and I suffer, sometimes as you say, the second one, i.e. the exaggerated motion occurring exactly when the CPU is busy (even very lightly) with a task, as opening an application or a new window. I have steermouse, but it does not prevent this overshoot from occurring even though it is a very good program.
I will contact apple too and make them aware of this issue (in windows the pointer management is better indeed).
Cheers and thank you for your kind reply

Jul 25, 2009 12:40 PM in response to Gerard James

Just for the record, I've got the same problem.

Hopefully, someone at Apple will notice and fix in Rel 10.5.8. I'll also contact AppleCare and fill out the appropriate forms on the website as suggested (thanks for the suggestion!).

My Mac Pro is brand new (delivered June 26th) and the MM is even newer (delivered to me a few days ago).

I am also running a Linksys WRT160N v3 with WPA2 and all the 802.11 protocols enabled (a, b, g & n).

There is also an AT&T cordless 2.4GHz phone system in the house. Other than that, I live in a suburban neighborhood near the Pacific coastline.

I have two BT-enabled Blackberries in the home, also.

My keyboard is a Microsloth Comfort 4000 corded deal (also new). Just eliminating all electronic interference possibilities.

Hope this helps!

Jul 27, 2009 10:42 AM in response to Gerard James

I have the same problem, where the MM seems to start creeping away from where I left it. On the screen that is, not on my desk! Anyway, I've had this before with a laser mouse back on a classic, and it was the mouse mat which made the difference. I usually use a sheet of white A4 paper so I can scribble notes as well, but I think this is too shiny for MM. If I use a rough surface like a ringbinder or a manilla folder the creepiness stops. Also when on a shiny surface if I lift the MM up the creeping stops. This makes me think that the problem I have is sensor related rather than software related.

What happens when you guys lift your mice up, do they keep trying to run away?

azpc

Level 1

10 points

Jul 27, 2009 6:31 PM in response to Neil Gilmour

My mouse often times just reappears clear across the screen from where it was a second ago. In addition, sometimes it makes hugely exaggerated movements compared to what I moved my mouse. Strangely, neither of the problems exist in Bootcamp with Windows XP SP3.

I have tried different mouse mats and surfaces to no effect. I am confident the problem is in the software as Windows XP SP3 does not suffer this affliction! Never thought I would find Windows more reliable on my Mac than OSX! Hopefully, 10.58 will resolve these irritations!

P.S. Just a quick reminder to contact Apple Care about these problems. The tech I talked to back in June was shocked when I showed him the scope of the problem on Google. He told me that he had not heard about this problem and after looking at his database he could not find an entry matching this problem. This is why he was shocked when I had him type "bluetooth+"jumpy mouse"+"mac" into Google. His first comment was wooooaaa, We might have problem here!

Jul 28, 2009 2:52 PM in response to Gerard James

I usually try and wait to see if a fix comes along in the way of a download, but my wireless mouse was working great with my early 2008 MBP, until I downloaded the latest OS-X update, now it stops responding a couple of times an hour. I do have quite a few applications open, photoshop, excel, etc and really need this to work. Why should a simple little mouse not work???????????? I have to disconnect and then reconnect to restore useability. Come on Apple, don't let this little thorn be your bain of existence, too many people are having problems with something that Windoze users do not. 😟

Aug 2, 2009 1:29 PM in response to cameraman316

I have 10.5.7, a wireless mouse and keyboard along with airport express- I have a jerky mouse from time to time though not always - it appears occasionally without warning =

When I check the system preferences on the bluetooth preferences for the mouse neither the keyboard nor the mouse have ever been "recognizable" - they are "not found" never have been found - any suggestions ? I do not use any Windows apps at all -

Steve

Philscbx

Level 2

164 points

Aug 3, 2009 12:46 AM in response to Brock Gunter-Smith

Just curious a bit with the digital mini dvi cable.

Is it possible to wrap the cable with shielding, maybe foil to
temporarily see if the cable is broadcasting interference?

Maybe the converting cable omits a connection, and this is
the broadcasting source.

Johnend

Level 1

0 points

Aug 8, 2009 7:22 AM in response to Gerard James

I have exactly the same problem. I thought that it would be something to do with the reflective surface as other have said and also have tried turning off other bluetooth devices, all to no avail. I bought the mouse with my macbook pro for university and have very rarely used it as a result of it being so pants!

Mighty Mouse Problem - Jerky And Jumpy