Why Does My Mouse Cursor Keep Freezing For No Apparent Reason?

[bravejordy]

I have a Dell XPS-8500 Desktop PC running Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.
Intel Core i5-3450 CPU 3.10Ghz
4.00 GB Installed Memory (RAM)
System Type: 64-bit Operating System x64-based processor.


For the past five days, my mouse, or more precisely my cursor, just seems to intermittently stop dead in its tracks for no apparent reason. I've tried hitting various keys on the keyboard but nothing happens and I'm left with no choice but to hit the reset button on my computer. This problem seems to occur at any time, regardless of whether I'm surfing the Internet or simply playing a game of Solitaire on my computer.

I'd like to stress I've made no changes to my computer, nor have I physically installed anything in recent weeks. This problem however, does seem to coincide with a critical Windows Update on 06/05/2014 and I'm wondering if this could be the cause of my problem and/or if anyone knows how to resolve it. I had thought of using System Restore to to take my computer back to before the update to see if that fixes it, but the fact that it was a "critical update" makes me a bit wary of doing so.


Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

[bravejordy]

Thanks methyl, but Solitaire was just an example, my cursor's even been known to freeze on other programs, such as WordPad. I just wanted to emphasize it's not something that only happens when I'm surfing the Internet.

[SlackAlice]

What make mouse and how is it connected?

Try uninstalling the mouse in Control Panel/Devices, shutdown pc and re-start.

[bravejordy]

Thanks SlackAlice, will try what you suggested and let you know how things go. ;)

[bravejordy]

Oops! Sorry, meant to say it's just a regular Dell mouse that came supplied with the PC and connected via wired usb.

[SlackAlice]

Also, shutdown pc, remove the usb cable, restart the pc. Once the pc's up and running try plugging the mouse into a different usb port.

[bravejordy]

Thanks again, SlackAlice. I've done as you suggested but it's a little too early to tell if it's fixed the problem. I will however keep you posted.


One thing I will add is now that I come to think about it, I don't know if when the problem occurs, it also stops my keyboard from working. I have been reading that some people had similar problems with their mouse and keyboard after they upgraded to Windows 8.1 although this shouldn't apply to me because it's been a while since I upgraded and it's only during the last 5 days I've been having problems.


Anyway, that aside, fingers crossed my computer will be ok now.

[bravejordy]

SlackAlice:

After following your instructions to the letter, I'm happy to say it seems to have fixed the problem :) Thank you so much for all your help, it is greatly appreciated.

[SlackAlice]

Glad it's resolved.