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Windows XP and the Mouse - Mouse Behaving Erratically?

SUMMARY: Solve problems with your mouse under Windows XP.

If your mouse occasionally bounces around the screen, clicks items when you don't want them clicked, or maybe even if it just can't detect a wheel (if one exists), this tip is for you.

First off, if your mouse performs erratically, it may require a cleaning. Refer to your mouse manual for details. All disclaimers apply.

You may also want to try changing some advanced XP settings.

1. First, open Windows XP's Mouse Control Panel.

2. On the multi-tabbed dialog box that follows, click the "Hardware" tab.

3. Choose the "Properties" button.

4. Another multi-tabbed dialog box should appear. Choose "Advanced Settings".

5. Now, click on the "?" icon on the top-right corner of this window and then click the text next to "Sample Rate", "Wheel Detection", and "Input Buffer Length". These provide helpful hints to configuration tweaks that may solve your mouse problems.

6. Perform the tweaks as desired and needed, but make sure to write down your original settings in case something goes wrong.

7. When you are done tweaking, press "OK" to close the dialog boxes.