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

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.

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

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.

1. • Windows Vista
     
     Open Programs and Features in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
     1. Click Start
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        .
     2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
     3. Press ENTER.
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     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. Follow the instructions to remove the software.
3. 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
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     2. In the Start Search box, type device manager, and then click Device Manager in the Programs list.
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     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

        
        .
     2. In the Start Search box, type appwiz.cpl.
     3. Press ENTER.
        
        
     Collapse this imageExpand this image

     
     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.
        
        
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        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:

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: 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.