I am unable to get the resize pointer to appear.

I often use the resize pointer to adjust Excel column sizes and Desktop window sizes. In perhaps the past month or so, I haven't been able to get this cursor even to appear. If I hold the arrow pointer to a column edge or a window edge, it appears to flash very rapidly between the arrow pointer and the resize pointer, but I can't get the resize pointer to remain and be used.

My apologies for opening a new issues, but I have not been able to find this issue clearly described, or any significant solution to cursor problems. It took a lot of searching just to learn the term "resize pointer".

I have a 2009-ish MBP and OS X 10.8.4. I also have a Magic Mouse connected, but the problem occurs on either the mouse or the trackpad, and whether or not the mouse is connected.

Thanks.