So sick of Magic Mouse problems...

I have never in my life used such a glitchy POS mouse. For some unknown reason, I have three of them and they all do exactly the same thing.

They will track fine for about 20 seconds, then they slow down, stop, skip, do whatever they want to do. This mouse was overpriced from day one.

I do like the touch scrolling, but that is about it. I have an ancient USB optical mouse that tracks 10,000% better than the Magic Mouse does. I am

using it with a 2009 Mac Pro. Where do I start to get this straightened out?? Even with a new mouse pad, the problems remain. A laser mouse is

supposed to be precise - the ones I have basically suck.


If anyone has any ideas, your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Machine specifications: 2009 Mac Pro 2.26 GHz Octocore, 24 GB of RAM, ATI Radeon 4870, SeriTek eSATA PCIe card, Inateck USB 3.0 card (in case

you are wondering, the problems existed long before any expansion cards were installed into the machine)

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10), 24 GB, Radeon 4870, Blu-ray

Posted on Jun 14, 2015 8:40 PM

Reply
13 replies

Jun 15, 2015 8:19 AM in response to lllaass

If you had read my post in its entirety, you would have noticed that I said these issues existed PRIOR to installing ANY expansion cards.

As for USB 3.0 interference, that will only occur during data transfers (I do not keep any drives hooked up to the card - I only plug them

in when I need to use them).


If it is a problem with the machine, what is the fix?? Since Apple has always introduced hardware that is at least one (if not two) generations

behind (in terms of processors, RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth), how do you correct it?? I realize that Apple wants to make money, but they have a tendency

to gouge people with their pricing.


P.S. I am currently using an HP Z6000 bluetooth mouse on my Mac Pro - it tracks smoothly with no stops, stutters, or hiccups. If that mouse works

fine on the Mac Pro, then the Magic Mouse should, too.

Jun 15, 2015 8:38 AM in response to Wakko Warner

/When was the last clean install?


I had a USB extension that 'messed up' and interfered - I don't use BT and for kb.mouse they are fine inexpensive 3rd party devices mostly though I do use my Apple Pro keyboard(s) (PC and Mac Pro)


There have been people today asking about the best or what USB3 cards work and are supported (and they change over time, new chipset, new added support or lack thereof)


ATI Radeon 4870, SeriTek eSATA PCIe card, Inateck USB 3.0


I was a big supported of SeriTek going back to early SATA days in 2003 but have not used any in nearly 6-8 years.


There is no reason to use something you don't like, you have lots of choice and options. BT battery and the aluminum shielding as well as potential interference in the local environment.


One of the better and oldest repository of user reports - and should be one primary stops before buying or choosing, as well as for trouble-shooting

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com


I would add MacIntouch but their "reports" are impossible to wade and find the quote in long reader 'discussions.' while MacRumors forum is easy to search - and keeps topics to as few threads as possible. And there are others.


But #1 to troubleshoot any soft/hardware would be a clean OS install, and remove any and all 3rd party changes to hardware. Then introduce one thing only at a time - and watch behavior.


I would keep 10.8.5 on one drive (partition if you must), same for Mountain Lion and Yosemite. (Upgrade to PCIe- SSD at this point too)


I would try to upgrade the 4870 to a more modern card with current OpenCL 4,x and more VRAM to handle and support 10.10

Jun 15, 2015 10:24 AM in response to Wakko Warner

Try to eliminate wifi or bluetooth interference - move any other devices away from your desk, especially phones with many transmitters. I find an iPhone will interfere with wireless mice if iTunes wifi syncing is on.


Consider moving the Mac Pro into line of site if it is away from your mouse. Bluetooth can have issues with objects between you & the receiver. If you are working on a metal desk move away from it to see if it receives any better. Also try using a wired keyboard for a while if you have a Bluetooth one at the moment.


What batteries are you using? Have you tried standard alkaline AA batteries? Rechargeable batteries are a slightly lower voltage than disposable AA's, it can cause a difference with some devices. I believe Apple shipped NiMH rechargeable batteries for these mice at one point with a charger so they should work OK, but it is a simple thing to change & test.


Mice can also behave erratically if there is hair or fluff in or near the detector. Ensure that is clean. Also try another mouse mat, some surfaces make Apple mice ping around the screen like crazy.


Personally I prefer other mice like ones from Logitech or even Microsoft, but finding one with the touch based scrolling may be tough.

Jun 15, 2015 11:16 AM in response to Drew Reece

Per my previous reply, I am currently using an HP Z6000 bluetooth mouse without any issues at all. It tracks just fine in the same location as the Magic Mouse, hooked up to the same internal bluetooth card. I have always used standard alkaline batteries with it. The battery level is currently 67%. The Mac Pro is only 40 inches from the mouse. I have blown out the area of the laser sensor on the Magic Mouse, but it still behave erratically. The HP mouse that I am using has touch scroll. It isn't as nice as the Magic Mouse scrolling, but it will work.

Jun 15, 2015 11:35 AM in response to Wakko Warner

I understand that the other device works, Apple use different hardware & antennas to HP hence the need to see if it works better when you are closer to the Mac & it is important to remove other potential sources of interference - it is possible for RFI to effect the mouse itself not just the radio waves in the air.


Another option is to try a safe boot it may indicate that third party software is at fault, just bear in mind that graphics support will be poor so some mouse lag may simply be how the graphics operates in safe mode.

Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

Limited graphics performance in OS X recovery or safe mode - Apple Support


Safe mode is similar to running from a clean install but you could also boot from another install to be 100% sure the OS & installed apps are not at fault (as The hatter eluded). A USB external 16GB or more is suffice or use a partition on an internal.


I don't have the magic bullet answer you seem to want but you have to be willing to accept some advice & try things if you want to resolve it yourself (otherwise take it to an Apple store & ask them to resolve or replace the mice).

Jun 16, 2015 7:36 AM in response to Wakko Warner

I heard some people sorta resolved it by leaving one of the covers open on the mouse. Yeah, it doesn't work...that's just dumb. bluetooth can be fussy on the Mac pro. I used to have a magic mouse with the fussy bluetooth. I solved it by buying an iogear BT USB adapter that plugged into the front of my mac Pro...I think it was around $20. Eventually after it died, bought a Microsoft mouse with a little usb reciever. It's been pretty reliable but it's not bluetooth.



about the only way I could think to fix this would be to apply the famous "bluetooth fix" to the bluetooth card inside your Mac pro. Some bluetooth wires might have been mislabelled, and switching the bluetooth wire to #1 and disconnecting and covering the original may improve your bluetooth performance

but.... those antenna connectors are awfully tiny and you need a steady hand and lots of patience.....


good luck to you


JB

Jun 16, 2015 8:14 AM in response to Johnb-one

On a 2009 Mac Pro, there is no way for the wires to be mislabeled. The cards are far apart on the logic board. I have thought about purchasing a bluetooth 4.0 upgrade card - The one I am looking at is actually a combo card that replaces the wireless card in the machine (it comes with an extension cable for the bluetooth antenna wire). Then you just remove the factory bluetooth card completely and leave that slot empty.



<Link Edited by Host>

Jun 16, 2015 10:53 AM in response to Wakko Warner

well you may be right about that., Wakko. I wouldn't say "no way"- maybe not that often or a slim chance that...

This is all I have to go on for this-some people have said that their bluetooth performance in the 2008 mac Pro's maybe the 2009 ones was kinda lousy

and they got better bluetooth performace by switching wires. This may or may not work for you. I recently installed a bluetooth and an airport card in a 2008 mac pro with the help of another gentleman, lots of patience, effort and a magnetic screwdriver, * and in that, the bluetooth card was right next to/on top of the airport card, so your mileage may vary. I'm looking at a combo card myself as I have the original 802.11 card in here, plus the original bluetooth card as well. I think that one is powered by some kind of usb kludge, so you have to plug it into a usb socket somewhere along the line. Still, if it works better than what you have now and it isn't super hard to install, maybe spend the $90 and go for it...I might be wrong though



Helloooooooo, Nurse


JB


*finding those little wires was great fun, too. they were well, well tucked under the logic board, but eventually I got 'em out and connected. Didn't swear once while I was doing it... Gee,you'd almost think that Apple Didn't want us to install it, with all the trouble they went to.....

Jun 16, 2015 2:38 PM in response to Johnb-one

Yeah, the cards are separated from each other on the 2009 and newer Mac Pros. However, if you are looking to upgrade your 2006-2008 model, the bluetooth 4.0/wireless AC upgrade card is actually cheaper for those models: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Apple-Airport-WiFi-802-11ac-Bluetooth-4-0-w-Adap ter-Mac-Pro-1-1-3-1-/261855902238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf7d3fa1e

Sep 15, 2015 9:13 PM in response to Wakko Warner

I got my problem solved. The issue is caused by the poor placement of the bluetooth antenna inside the Mac Pro tower. So, I got one of these cables: Click Here and one of these extension cables: Click Here As long as you have one open PCIe slot blank left in your Mac Pro, you can do this mod. Drill a hole for the first cable, then attach the cable to the blank (the hole should be 6.5 mm), then reinstall the blank into your machine. Attach either a standard wireless antenna or the extension cable if you are going to use a booster antenna. I used an AirLink ASB-10MA booster antenna that I had laying around to finish it up. You could try just using a standard wireless expansion card antenna to see if it works.


My Magic Mouse has been working just fine since I finished the modification. The other benefit has been much greater range with my bluetooth headphones. The total cost was around $13.79, since I already had the antenna (you can find regular antennas cheap on eBay and booster antennas aren't much more). The time it took me to get it all installed was less than 10 minutes. Totally worth it.

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So sick of Magic Mouse problems...

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