Erratic Mouse Behavior

What's the surface like?

I would check the surface we acutally had a user here who was having an issue like yorus it turned out the red in the mouse pad was causing it to act up. Do you have a non opitcal mouse to try ? I would try it jus to see what happens.

He is using a plain dell mouse pad. He had a non optical mouse in the beginning and we swapped it for the optical trying to fix the problem. Also the mouse buttons are active, so it is not just the optical sensor.

If the surface is reflective or translucent (a glass desk, shiny, or like Steelers4Life said, has red in it)  or the mousepad is a photo or something with a broad spectrum of colours, this very well could be the case.

Again, what's the surface like?

The surface is smooth and light blue, not shiny at all.

If it's just a plain mousepad as you say, and the user isn't eating greasy food like chips or something while using it (or anything that leaves crumbs or dirt in the way) then I would definitely think it's an environmental issue.

One thing you could try is take the user's non-functioning mouse and try it on another system to prove your point of it being environmental.  

You could try a can a compressed air and since the mouse is relatively new I'm assuming, then I'd blow out the inside of the PC case and clean out the rest of the components.

You said you were working with Dell to replace the system - was the system replaced, or were you just investigating that option?

It depends somewhat on the model of the computer. Dell, for instance, is having incredible trouble with their optical mouse on models 2400, 3000, and 4700... perhaps others.

Because of their widespread problems, I assume that the supplier is selling to other companies which may also experience the problem.

Dell, we know from our repair experience, sends out a replacement without asking questions if it is still under warranty... and they don't want the old one back.

The problem could also be between the keyboard and the chair.

When clicking, does the user press to hard or press forward while clicking the button to make the mouse move?  I've seen that before, where the user literally didn't have the motor skills required to operate a mouse, they practically picked it up every time they clicked.

Can you duplicate this problem on the system with yourself or another user?

We replaced the entire system.

The PC is a Dell Optiplex 520. And we fought with Dell to get a replacement.
I agree that this most likely is a user problem. But mangers are involved now and I need to find a solution.

I have not been able to duplicate this problem.
The user's PC is next to a window, large power supply and large machine. But even when it is powered off the mouse can still be erratic.

As a test, hand the user a regular mouse, and see what happens

I heard of a case when bright light from a window reflected off a manager's team building trophy, then off a brass power plate on the floor and then up between the crack between his other table, throwing his mouse in a trip. :) Not that I believe it, ofcourse.

To prove that it's environmental, take the new machine, move it to somewhere else, and see if the mouse works.  If it does, then the proof is right there.

Okay, give me couple days to work with the user and I will get back on.

But, I like this best

netcmh:
I heard of a case when bright light from a window reflected off a manager's team building trophy, then off a brass power plate on the floor and then up between the crack between his other table, throwing his mouse in a trip. :) Not that I believe it, ofcourse.

Glad I could make you smile, during this terrible time :)

Once you disable the driver, you can plug back in your serial device.

Just out of curiosity, which devices were plugged in to your serial?

ChiefIT: Could you point me to a url that'll help me understand this behavior?

Thanks

I work with serial sensors all the time because I collect multibeam data and GPS data as well as rack temperatures, oceanographic data, and hydrochemistry data. All are pretty much serial sensors that go into digiports.

I discovered this issue on my own. So, I don't have the URL to associate this with.

When a serial sensor is plugged into a computer, and plug&pray is enabled, the serial string will send out a dollar sign in front of the string itself. Every time the OS sees this serial string with the dollar sign in front of it, the OS assumes its a mouse. So, a mouse driver is installed and every time serial data is sent to the OS, your mouse jumps all over the place and right clicks and left clicks. The serial data really confuses the mouse.  So, you unplug the serial device, (most likely a GPS or rack temp sensor), disable the driver, and plug it back in.

Interesting, will have to follow you around :) and learn more :)

Thanks