My mouse cursor is slightly off to the left

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Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

My mouse cursor is slightly off to the left

This is an annoying problem and affects all apps.

If I want to select text and place my cursor just before the first character, it skips it.

If I want to "x-out" my small Opera tabs, I actually have to almost click outside of the X to the left to close it.

This becomes evident also in mouse-overs. It'll mouse-over even before hovering on top.

I tried searching all over, found that some had a similar problem but no solution. Maybe some here have advice? I tried to browser zoom thingy to no avail. It affects the Apple Mail buttons as well so seems like it goes "deeper" than that. I'd appreciate any help.

Edit: This problem appeared recently. It hasn't been around long. I just can't pinpoint at what instance and circumstance. Mouse is MX518 that's I've used in 5 Macs in 6 years without any problems like this. I had installed Logitech's useless control center which doesn't even support the MX518. I uninstalled it and installed USB Overdrive. It was after some time of using USB Overdrive that I started noticing problems. Thinking that it was the culprit, I uninstalled it but nothing happened.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Jun 17, 2011 5:48 PM

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Answer 1

Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 18, 2011 2:26 AM in response to Kaijankoski

Final update:

I got to thinking. What if I VNC (Splashtop) from my iPad. How would the cursor behave then and how would it look like? Well, Splashtop adjusted the resolution to match the iPad's screen and no cursor problem there. I sat in front of the Mac Pro and no problem there on screen either. I then took the Mouse while still connected with Splastop. No problem. Just as if the monitor and mouse had not been in "sync" earlier.

I had set my monitor to 1366x768 which is its native resolution according to the manual. I tried 1360x768. No cursor problem there. Went back to 1366x768 and problem appeared again.

Wow. I have seen and solved quite a few problems but this one is one of the weirdest by far. Thanks to pandzorz for the help and direction. This is solved now. Whew...

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Answer 2

Jul 27, 2011 5:23 AM in response to Kaijankoski

I have almost the same problem, but with an iMac and the Magic Mouse. I first noticed it when I was drawing a line and the line did not appear directly under the mousepointer but offset to the side. It's also noticable if I want to click on icons and they do not react even though the mousepointer is directly above them.

The screen resolution is set to 2560x1440. The next lower resolution is 1920x1200 and obviously I would prefer to keep the current resolution.

Any ideas?

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

199,422 points

Jun 17, 2011 7:00 PM in response to Kaijankoski

Kaijankoski wrote:

It was after some time of using USB Overdrive that I started noticing problems.

Thinking that it was the culprit, I uninstalled it but nothing happened.

Uninstall. Clear all caches (Something like Onyx) Reboot and try again.

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Answer 4

pandzorz

Level 1

30 points

Jun 17, 2011 7:24 PM in response to Kaijankoski

Something I can suggest, to possibly isolate this issue, is to test with another mouse. Almost any USB mouse should suffice, this may rule out the drivers being the issue.

If it is the same issue, it may be something else, otherwise I would suggest completely removing any trace of the drivers.

Try creating a test user account, or log in to a Guest account. This will determine if it is user specific or system wide.

If the issue persists in the new user, it will be system wide, otherwise, there is most likely something in ~/Library/ that is causing this issue. (or elsewhere in your /Users/username/ folder)

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Answer 5

Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 17, 2011 10:42 PM in response to pandzorz

Ok, thanks for the suggestions. I haven't been able to test with another USB as I don't have one on me atm.

I did the Guest login test and the problem persists there as well. So it's a system wide problem then, eh? Where do I look for problems? /Library/something or /System/Library/something? Thanks.

Joshua.

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Answer 6

pandzorz

Level 1

30 points

Jun 17, 2011 10:58 PM in response to Kaijankoski

It does appear so. It could be in /Library/ but nothing in /System/Library/ You won't need to touch the System Library.

It would be good to test a USB mouse to see if that is different, otherwise it could be a stab in the dark on what the affected file is and where. If it's drivers, contact the manufacturer/developer of the drivers.

Also, if you click and drag on the desk top, does the point actually match up with the bottom right corner of the rectangle? If it doesn't, the actual cursor image may be off and something installed may be causing that.

Also, try Safe boot, hold shift when the computuer boots(on the chime if kb is wireless, or prior if USB KB). You will see a grey progress bar to indicate it is starting. This mode will prevent any third party software from starting on boot.

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Answer 7

Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 17, 2011 11:28 PM in response to pandzorz

Ok, good to know regarding the System folder.

I'll prolly find a USB mouse next week. I live in the boonies...

Good idea on the click and drag. No, it's off to the left a few pixels.

Safeboot resulted in the same problem. Interesting. Looks like it's best to hold out until I manage to find another mouse.

Thanks for the help.

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Answer 8

Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 18, 2011 1:45 AM in response to Kaijankoski

Just an addition. I figured to try a clean install on a second disk. Same thing there. Looks a lot like a Mouse problem. I'll try to find one next week.

If it's not the mouse, could it be something other hardware related on the Mac Pro?

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Answer 9

pandzorz

Level 1

30 points

Jun 18, 2011 1:54 AM in response to Kaijankoski

If a clean install has been done then it is definitely hardware related. Or did you also install the MX518 drivers as well as the OS install? If that's the case then the drivers could still be the issue. Do you still have the mouse that shipped with the Mac?

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Answer 10

Kaijankoski Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 18, 2011 2:07 AM in response to pandzorz

No drivers for the MX518 as Logitech doesn't support it on the Mac. No special drivers installed on for it on the clean install one. I don't have the original mouse, no.

Funny thing: I forgot that I had a headless and mouseless Mac Mini server right next to me. Plugged in the mouse and monitor and no problem there...

I shutdown the Mac Pro, took out all USB devices, including keyboard and booted. Still the same thing. This would tell me that something on the Mac Pro is wonky?

EDIT: And I am not 100% if this problem has always been on this Mac Pro as I just recently got it. I just noticed it yesterday. It is quite noticeable so I'd wager that it was fine until yesterday. But what on earth could happen to affect mouse behaviour in such a way on a hardware level?

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Answer 11

Dec 22, 2011 11:08 AM in response to Kaijankoski

I tried resetting my monitors built in adjustments (Samsung 24 inch LED) and used 1080p Television on the mac preferences, which is the only one that is even close to using the entire screen in a decent resolution and it seems to place the cursor almost exactly on the buttons.

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