My mouse pointer has started to move jerkily. What is wrong?

Sam Long, August 2003

If it is a standard analogue mouse (rubber ball activating orthogonal shafts) then you should remove the ball and the mouse top cover (there will be a screw securing the sections). Clean the mouse ball and ball support with a damp cloth and remove any debris from the shafts, plastic supports and ball stabilising wheel (a small paintbrush is ideal or a low power compressed air jet). A small drop of WD-40 on the shaft bearings will also help. Make sure the mouse base is clean (where the base runs over the mousemat)Also ensure that your mouse mat is in good condition and clean! Occasional maintenance of this type should keep the mouse in good working order.

Randolph Carter, August 2003

try cleaning the rollers inside the mouse which the ball rolls on

chris dell, August 2003

remove the bottom cover containing the mouse ball then clean ball u will see inside the cavivity of mouse that the rollers are dirty carefully clean them with nails or something this should sort out the trouble

johnj, August 2003

Are you talking about a laptop or a desktop pc???

Well if its a pc you could try opening up the mouse and cleaning it? Use a small cotton bud and take off all the dust and dirt off the rollers, and make sure the surface of the mouse mat is not damaged in any way.
Also make sure there is not any prank software that is running that may be causing this? You can check by pressing ctrl+alt+delete and going to task manager/processes and look for any programs that you dont recognise and end task them.

If all that doesnt work, buy a new mouse.

If its a laptop, thats a different story, try and get an airspray (compressed air) from pc world or something, will cost about £5 and all you do is spray your keyboard, i suggest doing this with the laptop upside down, and something underneath like a piece of paper to styop all the dust ruining your carpet.

If that doesnt work you'll have to get it fixed permamently, and thats another question in itself.

Nadeem, August 2003

Hi Sam

This normally happens due to a build up of dirt on the bottom and innards of your mouse. Turn your mouse upside down and remove the ball retaining ring. With your fingernail or a small screwdriver scrape off the dark build up of dust/grime from the rollers of your mouse. Also give the ball itself a clean in warm soapy water (remembering to dry it!) Put the mouse back together and it should run alot smoother!

If you have problems with this alot consider buying an optical mouse and you wont ever have this problem again :)

Neal Plews, August 2003