Cursor goes crazy, opening apps, closing apps - I have no control.

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Level 1

18 points

Cursor goes crazy, opening apps, closing apps - I have no control.

I got this new iMac in Dec 2019, and started using it in Jan 2020. Since then, periodically I lose complete control of the cursor. I can sometimes notice when it's starting to happen: if I'm keying text in a text box, the letters will start to overwrite themselves. Then menus will start to flicker. I sometimes have to use the button at the back to shut the computer down because I can't get control of the cursor. I then also reboot and I'm fine for a while, and then it happens again. It seems to be getting "worse" (more frequent, more apps opening etc.) as time goes on. The last time it happened, I wasn't even using my computer ... it was woken up by my Apple Watch and then just started going crazy all on it's own.

I use the Apple bluetooth magic keyboard, the Apple bluetooth magic trackpad, and I have an Wacom Intuos PT S which is hooked up directly which has it's own trackpad and pen. I'm using these three objects back and forth and have been unable to tell if one of these is a trigger or not. I have just now noticed that I also had my old keyboard, mouse, and trackpad in the bluetooth list, which I have now removed. Could this be causing the issue? And if not, what?

Here are two links to videos I have taken of the last 2 episodes, both last week. One I managed to start with Screenshot, and I used my iPhone for the other. The sound is irrelevant.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b5pv2jddk0d5glf/zoom_0.mp4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dg34jiizfh5d1w0/iMac%20Problems.mov?dl=0

The second video is about 4 minutes long and it was the craziest it's ever been. I was not even using the computer that day.

Thank you.

Sarah

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jul 28, 2020 6:12 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

203,271 points

Jul 28, 2020 8:40 PM in response to Tothill

Tothill Said:

"Cursor goes crazy, opening apps, closing apps - I have no control.: I have already. Seems it’s clean. Thank you."

------

You are welcome.

I thinking of a few other things:

Fist off, to prevent data loss, be sure to back up your Mac with Time Machine, prior to the reinstall.

Then...

Clear Temporary Internet Files

Try clearing your Temporary Internet Files (Cookies & Cache) of Safari. Cookies perform remembrance of certain site-entered data. Whereas Cache keeps a snapshot of the last time you visited a site. Do so in Safe Mode (Hold Down the shift key upon boot). Use this Link: Clearing History and Cache - Apple Communities

Then...

Reset your SMC and your NVRAM:

Sometimes changes are made to the system and then settings (i.e. for the microphone) become manipulated, technically. So, reset both on your Mac.

Then...

Create a New Administrator UserL

Log into it, and see if you ever get this again. If it never pops up then it is something currently installed in your current user. So, transfer all files to this new user - and then rid of this current user.

And, if nothing above works...

Reinstall the macOS:

Nothing would be lost. It's just that misplaced items would be placed back to where they should be and corrupt system files would be replaced by clean files. Go Here: Reinstall macOS - Apple Support. Use the third bulleted method: [command + r]. As mentioned above, prior to the reinstallation, to prevent data loss, be sure to Back up your Mac with Time Machine, prior to the reinstall.

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

203,271 points

Jul 29, 2020 9:45 AM in response to Tothill

Tothill Said:

"Cursor goes crazy, opening apps, closing apps - I have no control.: [...]I reset my SMC. I didn't think the NVRAM applied to my situation so I didn't do it.[...]As per a previous call to Apple, I reinstalled MacOS. This didn't help. I haven't done this with the latest upgrade of MacOS. Is it worth it?”

———-

Yes: Upgrade - It is Worth it.

Yes. If it is compatible with the latest version. It is worth it. It may be something misconfigured the the BIOS. So, reinstall it. Much is fixed.

Important: Catalina is 64-Bit Only

Note that only 64-bit software is compatible with Catalina. So, you may need to uninstall something and then reinstall it with the correct drivers. You’ve backed up. So, no worries there - just restore to what is on the backup, if Incompatibility gets in the way here.

SMC and NVRAM Reset - Perform Thrice:

As for the SMC and NVRAM, both might

take part in this. But I left out the word “thrice”. It may take up to three tries of each. This can be time consuming. So, be sure you have the time to reset each thrice. If still of no luck - move ahead with an upgrade of the macOS, backing up after the upgrade.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

203,271 points

Jul 28, 2020 7:17 PM in response to Tothill

Tothill Said:

“I restarted my computer in safe mode. Then I restarted my computer. I'll have to wait to see if it happens again and will report back.”

————-

Wait a week, if desired...

In the Mean Time Use Malwarebytes for Mac:

Malwarebytes searches for malware (short for malicious software) and spyware. Malware makes your Mac behave in a mislead manor.

Malwarebytes is created by longtime users of these forums, making it the only reliable Security Software for a Mac. Remove what is found from the quarantine.

Downloads:

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Answer 4

Tothill Author

Level 1

18 points

Jul 29, 2020 9:25 AM in response to TheLittles

I have Time Machine on all the time.
Taking your advice, I cleared my History and Cache.
Taking your advice, I reset my SMC. I didn't think the NVRAM applied to my situation so I didn't do it.
As per a previous call to Apple, I created a new Administrator account. This didn't help.
As per a previous call to Apple, I reinstalled MacOS. This didn't help. I haven't done this with the latest upgrade of MacOS. Is it worth it?

Thank you.

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