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Article ID: 321122 - Last Review: June 28, 2009 - Revision: 12.0

The Microsoft mouse pointer moves erratically or does not respond, the pointing device buttons do not respond, or the pointing device is not detected or stops working

This article was previously published under Q321122
Warning The steps in the "Resolution" section may disable the internal pointing device on a portable computer.

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SYMPTOMS

When you use a Microsoft pointing device on a Microsoft Windows-based computer, you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
  • The pointer moves erratically.
  • The pointer does not respond when you move the pointing device.
  • Nothing happens when you click a button on the pointing device.
  • The pointing device stops working after several minutes of use.
  • Some options or tabs may be unavailable in the Mouse item in Control Panel.
  • If you connect a Microsoft Plug and Play Serial Mouse, a Microsoft EasyBall, or a Microsoft IntelliMouse pointing device to the computer, the device is not detected by Microsoft Windows. When you run the Add New Hardware wizard, the issue is not resolved.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if files from a previous installation of a pointing device are still on the computer.

RESOLUTION

Method 1 : Uninstall any conflicting mouse software

If you have any other mouse software that is installed, such as Logitech or touchpad software, that software may conflict with the Intellimouse software. To uninstall the other software, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
    • Windows Vista

      Open Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start
        Collapse this imageExpand this image
        Start button
        .
      2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
      3. Press ENTER.
      Collapse this imageExpand this image
      User Account Control permission
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
    • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows

      Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start.
      2. Click Run.
      3. Type appwiz.cpl.
      4. Click OK.
  1. Follow the instructions to remove the software.
  2. Restart the computer.
If the issue continues to occur, go to method 2.

Method 2: Remove devices from Device Manager

  1. Open Device Manager. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
    • Windows Vista
      1. Click Start
        Collapse this imageExpand this image
        Start button
      2. In the Start Search box, type device manager, and then click Device Manager in the Programs list.
      Collapse this imageExpand this image
      User Account Control permission
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
    • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows
      1. Click Start.
      2. Click Run.
      3. Type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
  2. Select Mice and other pointing devices, and then press ENTER.
  3. Click any pointing device that is related to IntelliMouse or USB, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  4. Follow the instructions to remove the device.
  5. Select Human Interface Devices, and then press ENTER.
  6. Select any device under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  7. Repeat step 6 until you have removed all the devices.
  8. Select Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
  9. Select any device that indicates Root Hub or Host Controller, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
  10. Select Mice and other pointing devices.
  11. Select any other devices under this heading, and then press DELETE. When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
If the issue continues to occur, go to method 3.

Method 3: Remove and reinstall the IntelliPoint software

  1. View the list of programs that are installed on the computer. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
    • Windows Vista

      Open Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start
        Collapse this imageExpand this image
        Start button
        .
      2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
      3. Press ENTER.

      Collapse this imageExpand this image
      User Account Control permission
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
    • Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows

      Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
      1. Click Start.
      2. Click Run.
      3. Type appwiz.cpl.
      4. Click OK.
  2. Remove Microsoft IntelliPoint. To do this, follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows.
    • Windows Vista
      1. Click Microsoft IntelliPoint.
      2. Click Uninstall/Change.

        Collapse this imageExpand this image
        User Account Control permission
        If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
      3. Click Yes to confirm that you want to remove the program.
    • Windows XP
      1. Click Microsoft IntelliPoint.
      2. Click Add/Remove.
      3. Click Finish.
      4. Click OK.
  3. Restart the computer.
  4. Reinstall the IntelliPoint software.
If the issue continues to occur, visit the following Microsoft Web site to download and install the latest Intellimouse software:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/downloads/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/downloads/default.mspx)

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about pointing devices that do not work as expected, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
185663  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/185663/ ) The pointer moves erratically or does not respond when you use a Microsoft pointing device
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 7000
  • Microsoft Basic Mouse 1.0 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Bus Mouse 1.0
  • Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 1000
  • Microsoft Comfort Optical Mouse 3000
  • Microsoft Cordless Wheel Mouse
  • Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000
  • Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse
  • Microsoft Home Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft Home Mouse 1.0
  • Microsoft InPort Mouse
  • Microsoft InPort Mouse 1.0
  • Microsoft InPort Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse 3.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical 1.1
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Pro
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Trackball 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse Web 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliMouse with IntelliEye
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 6.1
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 6.0
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 5.2
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 5.1
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.1
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.0
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.0a
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.1
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.2
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.2a
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.2c
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 2.2d
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 3.0
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 3.1
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 3.2
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 4.11
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.0 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.0a for Macintosh
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.1 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 1.0 Home Edition
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 5.0
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 4.12
  • Microsoft IntelliPoint 4.01
  • Microsoft IntelliType 2.2
  • Microsoft IntelliType 2.0
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 5.3
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 5.4
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 5.5
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 1.2
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 5.2
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 2.1
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 2.0 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 5.0
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 1.1
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 2.11
  • Microsoft IntelliType Pro 2.2
  • Microsoft IntelliType 1.0
  • Microsoft IntelliType 1.1
  • Microsoft IntelliType 1.0 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft IntelliType 1.1 for Macintosh
  • Microsoft Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Optical Mouse Mobile
  • Microsoft Mouse
  • Microsoft Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 1.0 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 8.0 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 8.2 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 9.0 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 9.01 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 9.1 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 7.04 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Mouse Driver 8.1 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Notebook Optical Mouse 3000
  • Microsoft Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Optical Mouse by Starck
  • Microsoft Serial Mouse
  • Microsoft Standard Wireless Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Wheel Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft Wheel Mouse 1.0
  • Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical
  • Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000
  • Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth
  • Microsoft Intellimouse 2.00 Bluetooth
  • Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer with Fingerprint Reader
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000
  • Microsoft Wireless Notebook Presenter Mouse 8000
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 1.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2000
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 3000
  • Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 5000
  • Microsoft Wireless Wheel Mouse
Keywords: 
kbenv kbhardware kbprb KB321122

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