Mouse skips during copy, drag, etc

[sgtsandman]

It sounds like a software glitch or a driver glitch. Does it happen in more than one program? If so, it might be a driver issue. If just one program, it might be a software problem.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I uninstalled and reinstalled the mouse drive. Still having problems. I hate this damn laptop. I've had problems in the past where it looks like a bunch of bubble popping up on the right edge of the screen and then things will open, close, or expand. It's like the pointer jumps over there all by itself and starts clicking. Pretty rare that it does it though.

 

[Curious Hound]

Is it a touch screen? Almost sounds like an issue with a touch screen thinking that something is touching it in that area.

 

[DeathRanger]

could be a faulty trackpad. Use a wireless mouse and disable the trackpad in computer management then see if the issue goes away.

 

[adsm08]

could be a faulty trackpad. Use a wireless mouse and disable the trackpad in computer management then see if the issue goes away.

This was my thought as well. It sounds like a double input is being detected.

 

[97RangerXLT]

another vote for the screen if it is a touch screen. My old Asus laptop with the touch screen would do stuff like this, thought it was the mouse, but like you changing it out did not fix it. finally cleaned the touch screen and all of a sudden it got a lot better. still did not fix it totally, but I no longer wanted to throw the mouse into the wall.

Try disabling the trackpad as well, you may be inadvertently brushing it with your hand or something might be glitchy with it. there is usually a function key you can press to turn the trackpad off.

Then use it as a shotglass coaster like Eric said

AJ

 

[fastpakr]

@97RangerXLT - I kept wondering if it was somehow the touchpad. Odd that the movement is normal when not selecting though. And I can't get my head wrapped around the screen being the problem if the issue doesn't present itself when using the touchpad, only an external mouse.

 

[Curious Hound]

And I can't get my head wrapped around the screen being the problem if the issue doesn't present itself when using the touchpad, only an external mouse.

That's because computer stuff is evil voodoo magic. It defies all logic and reason.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How does one kill the touchpad?

I am good for getting a really good novel typed up, bumping that stupid thing right before it autosaves. As it autosaves everything gets deleted, bonus points if I back up a window or two in the process. On Win7 it was easy to set it to shut off when a mouse was detected, I haven't figured it out on 10 yet.

 

[97RangerXLT]

@97RangerXLT - I kept wondering if it was somehow the touchpad. Odd that the movement is normal when not selecting though. And I can't get my head wrapped around the screen being the problem if the issue doesn't present itself when using the touchpad, only an external mouse.

I think the issue is that the computer has internal logic, maybe even board level and not O/S level that detects you using the mouse so it does not let input from the touch screen override it. a plug in usb mouse though would not have that protection.

what I found is those little smudges/ dirt/ dust can be detected as "input" to the touch screen.

if you don't use the touch screen, maybe disable that?

for what its worth, that ASUS that I am using is running Ubuntu Linux 18.04. the problem existed when it was running 16.04 as well, and I am getting ready to upgrade to 20.04... so this is why I think it is an internal logic issue.

AJ

 

[fastpakr]

It's funny that you mention Ubuntu - I'd considered suggesting that Jim use a live boot USB key just to see if his issue persisted there.

 

[MikeG]

Disable both the touchpad and touchscreen. My experience is that hardware is almost always the culprit when computers do wacky things like this. Didn't think about the touch screen, hate them personally.

 

[Curious Hound]

Clean the chowdah off everything!

 

[Jim Oaks]

I cleaned the screen. Never use the touch screen or pad, but just had to start so I can copy and past. The computer doesn't like me left clicking my mouse.

 

[4x4junkie]

Do you ever also have happen; you single-click on a file just to highlight it, but have the file actually open as if you double-clicked it?

If so, this is probably dirty microswitches in the mouse (the switch contacts building up dirt or carbon deposits or something and becoming intermittent as you hold pressure on it). You did say you tried another mouse, however I've had this happen on enough mice that I think there may be a possibility both mice have the issue, especially with aftermarket mice as opposed to ones that are included with a name-brand computer (1 in 3 mice I've ever owned have had this happen).

My fix has been to take apart the mouse and liberally spray the switches with a contact cleaner that also has a light lubricating oil in it (spray it into the switch right where the little miniature buttons are). The oil residue seems to stop further buildup of dirt on the contacts.