[ZacSixChip]

I have a 2 year-old dell desktop running Windows 7 that a week ago, the mouse cursor started slowly moving to the upper right-hand corner of the screen all on its own. I've tried a 2nd mouse (both usb) and it did the same thing, so I don't suspect the mouse as being broken. Its not opening files or clicking on things, just sliding upwards.

There are no PS2 ports so I can't eliminate a corrupt USB driver but I'm running Malwarebytes on it now and if comes back having found nothing, I don't know where I will turn next! Any ideas?

[ZacSixChip]

Malwarebytes found and removed some stuff and the problem remained. Ran the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper and the PROBLEM REMAINS! Figured it had to be a USB driver that both Windows7 and Standalone System Sweeper shared, so as a last resort I booted off an Ubuntu live CD knowing that there was no way the mouse would continue to have the same issue in a completely different environment, AND IT DID. I've tried 3 different mice and the only thing they had in common was that they were all USB. I am about to loose it!

[captainron276]

Not sure if this will help you; but then you never know. It's been several years since this took place; but I had a very similar problem with my mouse creeping like yours plus when I tried to scroll pages weird things happened in that I was loosing control it seemed.
Anyway, it turned out to be a bad keyboard that was causing the mouse problem. So, if you can try another keyboard give it a shot.

Good luck

[ZacSixChip]

Thanks for the advice captainron276 but I just (kinda) figured it out: it has to have something to do with a Dell optical mouse erroneously being identified as a Microsoft Trackball. When I disable it, the autonomous vertical movement ceases and the mouse functions normally!! I don't believe it!

I cannot fathom how Win7 Safe Mode, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, and Ubuntu all have the same issue.


I need to post a larger picture.

[Mark1956]

It is probably all down to the way the system is identifying the mouse and loading the wrong drivers at boot up. If you delete all the other mouse drivers it should not happen again.

Follow this guide to find any hidden mouse drivers and delete them all.

[ZacSixChip]

Mark1956, agreed but the mouse has been in use for 5 months and just two weeks ago started malfunctioning. I STILL cannot comprehend how Ubuntu V 10.? has the same problem - that live cd was made like two years ago!

[DaveBurnett]

You may find that it is the track point (that thing in the middle of the keyboard).
I had the same problem on my laptop and solved it by disconnecting the track point and leaving the pad connected.

[Mark1956]

Well, that would make sense Dave, but it is a desktop .

Strange things do happen with drivers sometimes, I would try what I suggested earlier and see if that fixes it for Windows. Ubuntu I am not too sure about as I don't use it myself.

[DaveBurnett]

Ah some Dell desktop keyboards have a trackpoint. The other thing is that it might be a poor USB connection to the mobo.
Do you have a USB port on the front of your machine as that one will be connected to a different USB controller to those at the back on the mobo.