Comp mouse problem.

[Kobuk]

Sometimes when I'm browsing the Net and I click on my browser's back button, Instead of going back one page at a time, my mouse/browser will suddenly "skip" and I'll go back 2 or more pages, even though I only wanted to go back one. This really frustrates me.  And then I have to click the forward button to go forward one page that I originally wanted to stop on. Or sometimes when I need to click on the X in the upper right corner of another window, my mouse/browser will suddenly close my entire browser instead of just that one window I was trying to close. My mouse isn't that old. I have a HP one that I've been using for 6 months now. I'm really not sure whether the problems are with my mouse controls or something else with my comp. I could use any help.

[Avan]

Do you know what the exact model of your mouse is?
What browser are you using?
And... is your mouse wireless?

[Kobuk]

I threw out all the mouse packaging long ago.
Using Firefox.
Corded mouse.

[Avan]

Hmmm... it usually gives the model of the mouse either in the device list or on the bottom of the mouse. The device list can be found in the windows control pannel under 'device manager'

That is if you are using windows, which I assume you are.

Are you using firefox 2.0,3.0 or 3.5? I think that one of the 2.0 versions had a problem... because I remember that once upon a time I had the exact same problem.. it may have been with my mouse though...

I need to take a good run down memory lane for a bit to remember how I fixed this....

[Kobuk]

HP mouse model M859PU

[Avan]

So does this phantom-double-clicking happen all the time (like, to anything, not just the back button? You might not notice it, but sometimes you can find this problem, like double-clicking on a drop-down menu which will cause it to drop down partially and then go right back up.)

If it happens all the time, make sure your control panel is set to the same setting as here: (works for pretty much any 98 and later microsoft windows OS)
http://i41.tinypic.com/11h7wgp.jpg

[Kobuk]

I've been having mouse/clicking problems all night tonight. I talked to my best friend about this and he suggested I might have a bad mouse and told me to buy a new one.......which I may end up doing tomorrow anyway.

[Avan]

I take it the control panel solution didn't work?

The problem with this problem is that there are so many possibilities (it might not be your mouse, so buying a new one might not necessarily even solve the problem....)

Ok, here are some more things to try...

1) check for mouse driver updates
2) check for firefox updates/new version (if you are running version 2.0, or even 3.0)
3) check for windows updates
4) reinstall the mouse's driver

[Ziel]

A lot of mice don't even mess with drivers anymore. Only ones with them that I've seen are higher-end gaming mice. That's the beauty of plug-and-play: don't have to mess with drivers.

It sounds to me like the button mechanism is probably bad.  I assume that this is on his new computer, which means it's likely all up-to-date as far as firefox and windows are concerned.

There's always some extra bounce/vibrations that happen after pressing a button. It's just a fact of life. Either the mouse is having more of this bouncing than it should, which causes it to click again since the bouncing would be continuing after the input buffer has ended.  Or, the input buffer for whatever reason fails, and is reading some of that bouncing as additional clicks.  The point of the input buffer is to avoid this exact situation.

Either way, I'd say that you're probably looking at needing a new mouse.

[Weisseman]

I've got a similar problem at the moment with my logitech as it happens. One reason I've seen is that the spring is gone the button of the mouse of something. Probably need a new mouse. How long have you had it?

[Kobuk]

I assume that this is on his new computer, which means it's likely all up-to-date as far as firefox and windows are concerned.

I'm still using my old desktop system at the moment. I won't get a chance to hook up my new comp till maybe Sat. tomorrow.

How long have you had it?

Probably 6 months.

[Weisseman]

Shouldn't have gone that fast = / If you've got a spare mouse try that first and see what happens. If the issues is resolved then it was probably the mouse. If not it could be a software issue.

[Cosantoir]

A lot of the large PC companies have a very bad habit of sending sub standard peripherals with their computers.  HP and Dell are some of the worst unless you opt up to the optional high quality mouse when you order the computer.  I speak from personal experience having provided support to litteraly thousands of these machines and seeing first hand the high rate of failure of mice and keyboards.  I would bet money that the mouse itself is the culprit.  I keep a drawer of spare mice and keyboards for just such occasions.  As far as mice, I prefer the Logitech MX series.

[Ziel]

I recently replaced my mouse with one from OCZ. Might not be a brand name that many would think of for mice (especially since they often aren't available in stores), but I love mine.  I mean, $20 for a laser mouse is really cheap.  But it's built really well. Haven't had any issues with it yet.  Unfortunately, they only have the notebook version left (I like the larger size of the desktop mice).  So if you like smaller mice, or have smaller hands, I would highly recommend it as an option.  They do have a couple larger desktop models out, but not the same one I've got now. I would assume they're just as good though.

[Avan]

Actually Ziel, there have been instances where bad programming or even problems with various development environments can cause these problems... (thinks back to an old version of visual basic which generated phantom click events under certain condition... (found that in my google searching on this to help solve kobuk's problem))

[Ziel]

Wasn't saying that that never happens. But every analog button has this sort of bouncing error in it's input. It can't be avoided. Given that it's a new problem on a mouse/machine that have been used together for a while (correct me if I'm wrong on that), I would still have to blame the hardware.  Especially since it's kind of a cheap mouse (as was said before, HP mice aren't so great anyhow).

[Avan]

Well, I've never really used any of those 'free' mice: afterall, I build all my systems, so I go out and get a good mouse to go with it, so I've never really known about how well (or how not well) those cheap mice perform.

[Kobuk]

Well, I went to Office Depot tonight near where I work and I bought one of these for $25:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=041
The two features which looked interesting that drew my attention was the 4-way scrolling button, and it has a 5x magnifier which is good since I have bad eyesight. Anyway, I'll get my new comp and this new mouse all hooked up tomorrow when I have more time.

P.S. - What do I feed computer mice? And do cats get jealous of them? (joke)     

[Ziel]

That should work out fine for ya.  And hey, it says it has a 2-year warranty, so if it happens again (shouldn't) you're covered!  My experiences with Microsoft mice have all been good. They seem to make pretty decent mice.

You should have a new computer party once you get it going. I mean, people throw housewarming parties... computers should get some love too!

[Kobuk]

Mouse problem all fixed. New mouse I got works great. I especially love the built-in 5x magnifier. Sweet! 

[Avan]

So it was the mouse!
(well, it still could have been other stuff, but less likely in this case)

Hmmm... since I remember my problem was solved w/o replacing the mouse...

/in any case, good news ^^

[Kobuk]

So it was the mouse!
(well, it still could have been other stuff, but less likely in this case)

I still think it was the cat. >.< *gives all the feline members of Furtopia an icy cold stare*     (joke)