Sometimes, the mouse doesn't work at all; other times, the mouse
pointer hops across the screen like a flea. Here are a few fixes to try:
- If no mouse arrow is on the screen after you start Windows, make sure that the mouse's tail is plugged snugly into the computer's USB port. (If you have an older mouse with a round PS/2 port instead of a rectangular USB port, you need to restart your PC to bring the newly plugged-in mouse back to life.)
- To restart your PC when the mouse doesn't work, press these keys from either the Start screen or the desktop: Press the Windows key and I key simultaneously to fetch the Charms bar's Settings menu. Then press your keyboard’s arrow keys to highlight the Power button near the bottom of the Settings pane. Press Enter to fetch the Power menu, then tap your Up Arrow key to highlight Restart. Press the Enter key to restart your computer.
- If you own a cordless mouse, the little guy probably needs new batteries.
- A mouse pointer can jump around onscreen erratically when the mouse's innards become dirty. Clean the mouse's under parts with a moist rag, making sure to remove any debris.
- If the mouse was working fine but the buttons seem to be reversed, you've probably changed the right- or left-handed button configuration setting in the Control Panel. Open the desktop Control Panel's Mouse settings area and take a look at the setting for Switch Primary and Secondary Buttons. Lefties want it turned on; righties don't.
