Mouse locks up for seconds at a time

[SharkAttack]

Common problem but I'm not sure if or how i've fixed it in the past.

I have a pc at home that has run fine for 3 years. Now all of a sudden the mouse cursor will "get stuck" for 5 - 20 seconds at a time and then suddenly spring to life.

Nothing new has been installed lately IMO. Only have a few progs open. Never had problems before. Plenty of space and RAM.

And no it isn't the mousemat!

Any clues?

[Zanza]

check what processes are running in your task bar, and how much memory they are using!

Is it just the mouse, or the whole computer? can you use the keyboard while the mouse is locked?

What connection is the mouse? Have you tried a different mouse or diff connection?

[in5ane]

Do you use thunderbird for email? Cos that locks up my work PC in short bursts.

[SharkAttack]

No processes. Average amount of memory in use. No thunderbird! Keyboard is fine.

[in5ane]

I used to have this with a combination of a soundblaster and XP. You got this?

[davidcotton]

Ball or optical mouse? If Ball try giving the mouse a good clean.

[Zanza]

is it in your USB port? I have had similar problems previously when my usb ports are overloaded, which made me switch back to the normal mouse connection, as I often have alot of stuff plugged into my USB.

But serioulsy try another mouse if you can, or if it is a USB mouse, go buy a USB to standard mouse port converter, their probably around ?3, fortunately I got one free with mine.

[SharkAttack]

ps2 mouse. Latest update - This morning the mouse locked completely and took the keyboard with it. PC was still fine as Zone Alarm was flashing away in the corner. Had to power it off manually and the keyboard came back but the mouse now seems dead. Tried another mouse but that didn't work either. So I'd guess the ps2 mouse port is buggered. However, a quick keyboard guided scan of device manager for xp showed no mouse listed?! Sign of the mouse driver being removed or is it not on there anyway?

I have a ps2 to serial connection to test out tonight, but I think I will try and pick up a USB mouse.

[PeteBrant]

Sounds like possibly an IRQ conflict to me - Try a USB mouse and see if that makes a difference.

[mid]

a quick keyboard guided scan of device manager for xp showed no mouse listed?!

If the machine doesn't detect one on the PS2 port at boot time, I don't think you'll see one in the device mangler. If you've got a USB keyboard, many machines regard one PS/2 port much like any other, so you might get away with plugging the mouse in the keyboard port for now.

Personally, I prefer USB mice - PS/2 mice only have a 20Hz refresh rate by default.

[SharkAttack]

Did a system resotre to 3 days ago and the mouse is 100% ok. Either Media Player 10 or the last windows update I did must have taken it down...hmmmmm

[SharkAttack]

Problem came back again. Now often freezes up and takes the keyboard with it. Really confusing. I am going to try a USB mouse.