Solved Weird mouse behaviour

[rigsby]

Posted this in several Windows/Tech forums but have been unable to resolve so far. If anyone here can help, I'd be most grateful.

Been having a weird problem with the mouse for a few weeks. Happens several times a day.

When I go into any application where you (use the mouse) to select one item, several random items are selected all at the same time. In Thunderbird, for example, selecting one folder, selects 2 or 3. In explorer, selecting one item highlights many more; and when I click on Firefox (to re-open the window) it kicks off another instance of the program; clicking on a pinned tab (in Firefox), doesn't open it but protects/locks it instead.

Closing & restarting the progs fix it, but it affects every running program, so I usually end up logging off and back on.

Swapped the mouse & tried a different USB port. It can't be the keyboard (I hope) because logging off/on rebooting always solves the problem until the next time.

Any ideas as to what's causing this ??

 

[sk0t0s]

Must be the keyboard.

Have you try to change your keyboard?

BTW, welcome to Sevenforums

 

[rigsby]

Thanks.

Why do say it must be the keyboard ?? I only ask cos when I reboot or logoff/on it's OK till the next time - maybe 2 hours or maybe 8 hours. I'm using the keyboard in the meantime (i.e. before it happens again). It is the only piece of hardware I've haven't yet replaced.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I suffered intermittent mouse problems since building my new box. I had a MS 5000 wireless usb, mostly intermittent jerky movement and sometimes weird "click" issues. Some times it would be great, other times terrible. I spent weeks trouble shooting. I finally changed to a Logitech G500 cabled usb mouse and it's been perfection for the past several weeks.

Wireless interference problems (position of the Sun, Moon and larger Planets) is the conclusion I draw.

 

[rigsby]

Mmm...OK I'll look into the keyboard (not literally !!). Thanks.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Your keyboard might have a sticky "Shift" key.

 

[rigsby]

lehnerus2000 - I believe you have hit on the nail on the head. I was dismissing the keyboard out of hand - but the SHIFT key IS very sticky & when I press it in conjunction with the left-click mouse it does exactly what I describe above.

I will definitely replace it now. Others (in other forums and here) have said replace the keyboard, but it was only when you mentioned the SHIFT key that it all fell into place.

Give me a week & I'll report back with my findings.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I had that problem with my old keyboard.

One of the "Shift" keys would stick (the other one was OK), which would cause all sorts of weird behaviour (e.g. launching multiple files and programs, opening links in new windows, etc.).

 

[sk0t0s]

Thanks.

Why do say it must be the keyboard ?? I only ask cos when I reboot or logoff/on it's OK till the next time - maybe 2 hours or maybe 8 hours. I'm using the keyboard in the meantime (i.e. before it happens again). It is the only piece of hardware I've haven't yet replaced.

Like everybody said... maybe you have a sticky "Shift" key in your keyboard.

 

[Britton30]

You can carefully pry off the Shift key cap and see if there's a clump of dirt, spilled Coke, or french fry and clean it off.

A cotton swab with moistened with some rubbing (Isopropyl) alcohol can be used to clean up any garbage found. A very tiny drop of light oil on the key stem can help free it up too.

 

[rigsby]

OK. It is the SHIFT key. It was fine all morning. I went out for about 5 hours, came back - and viola, the problem occurred. I banged the SHIFT key a few times and the problem was solved - whereas before I rebooted or logged-off/on to fix it. So it is that SHIFT key - but what I don't inderstand is why rebooting or logging off/on should fix it. Surely if it's stuck, then it's really stuck. Rebooting etc. is not gonna unstick it !?!?!?

 

[lehnerus2000]

OK. It is the SHIFT key. It was fine all morning. I went out for about 5 hours, came back - and viola, the problem occurred. I banged the SHIFT key a few times and the problem was solved - whereas before I rebooted or logged-off/on to fix it. So it is that SHIFT key - but what I don't inderstand is why rebooting or logging off/on should fix it. Surely if it's stuck, then it's really stuck. Rebooting etc. is not gonna unstick it !?!?!?

That is a good question.

Maybe it works on a "change of state" principle.
If the key is stuck during boot up, maybe the PC ignores the key signal until it changes again.

 

[sk0t0s]

Good to know that you sort it out. Don't forget to mark this thread solved

 

[rigsby]

Thanks for all the help, everyone.