Mouse rebellion

For the past three or four days, my mouse has been screwing with me. When I move it occasionally, the cursor flings to a random edge of the screen. This doesn't really facilitate any gaming at all, and I don't want to have to buy a new mouse (Had this one for 7 years, quite fond of it.)

I think it might be either something blocking the laser or something on my mousemat, which is made of gel.

Ideas welcome. What should I use to clean the laser? It's a Logitech MX-Laser.

Cheers,
~HM

You need this



and this



Let her clean your mouse while you look for another one. Seven years for a computer mouse is like 49 human years.

I've had my Laser mouse for close to 8 years now, I occasionally get the same problem you've described but it's usually either due to a bit of dirt on the desk, or a hair lodged in the part of the mouse where the laser is.

Basically just need to clean your desk (or mouse mat/pad) regularly and make sure that there's no dust or hair interfering with the laser (ideally you'd want to unplug the mouse for this so you don't blind yourself).

Usually to clean the laser part, a simple blow of air should dislodge any dirt particles from in there unless it's caked in there somehow.
A damp cloth and perhaps some cleaning fluid would work with your desk cleaning.

It's a Logitech Mx-Laser; cost me €80 back then, so I'm definitely not tossing it if I don't have to!

I tried removing the mousepad, but perhaps the desk was just as bad. I've tried cleaning the mouse, but I was afraid to try with water. I suppose it's come to that now, though.

Actually open the mouse and remove all the dust, you would be surprised what builds up in there. I typically open my computer and clean it out every so often because blockage creates more heat among other hardware issues.

Ok im both shocked and amazed - 7 yr old mouse and thats the only problem .. i had my mouse 1 yr before left mouse button died ( luckily i had spare buttons from other mice - pays not to always chuck a dead mouse :P ).Its a wonder those doing party/sweet/drunk titles dont kill the left mouse buttons as well - 10k clicks is a lot of clicks and wear and tear

Look after your shit Also if you buy cheap Chinese tat, you get what you pay for ^^

There's no actual way to opening this mouse, it seems... I think I have to force the sides off from all angles =/ Might damage something (i.e. the charging dock station) Fingers crossed it still works when I put it back together. Flat screwdriver time.

You don't need to open the mouse to clean the laser. Just use some cleaner like Windex on the bottom, lens area of the mouse.
Edit - btw, check that the laser's lens on the bottom of the mouse is not scratched or cracked (or dirty).

If you want to open the mouse, they are usually held together with screws on the bottom. The trick is that the screws are usually under the label on the bottom and/or under the 'feet'/pads. For the label, feel around the surface for a spot where there seems to be a hole underneath and poke a small (jeweller's) Philips screwdriver through the label to undo the screw.
For the feet/pads, you'll have to peel them off to expose the screws underneath. If you do it carefully enough and keep the sticky side of the pads free of dust etc., they should go back on easily (and there's always krazy glue).

You can also use contact cleaner aerosol sprays, dries fast leaves no residues. Cheaper than a new mouse.

Well, I opened it up. I have some good news and some bad news.

Good news is it still works. Bad news is it didn't fix it. I did clean out 7 years worth of hair/dust, though, maybe it made a minute difference. I need to get a pack of cotton buds.

Since you've already tried using it without the pad, try using a piece of paper on your desk instead of the mousepad and see how it responds.

Whenever I have trouble with desk surfaces, they generally go away when I stick my Sketchbook under my mouse.