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"inaccurate" mouse click issue

D

DE

Flightless Bird
I've searched & searched, and not found a single report of this, though
I've experienced it on two different Dell laptops. Please note, this is
-not- the issue where the mouse cursor jumps to a different part of the
screen on its own.

I run XP/SP3 with the taskbar set to show each window, not grouped by
type, so I might easily have 20 or more items showing on the taskbar on
multiple rows, but with only one row displayed. Then I scroll (since I
only show a single row) from one row to the next, if I want to switch
from one program to another & the program is not visible in the taskbar
row showing. It's an old habit, and always worked in the past, with the
exception of two different Dell laptops (but also works fine on other
Dell laptops.)

Unfortunately, the problem resolved on the first Dell laptop at some
point, and I don't recall or know how or when. But I'm stuck with it on
the second laptop.

Specific behavior is:

When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with
multple rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a
completely different window restores. This happens no matter how
carefully, slowly, or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the
task bar will scroll on its own to the row for the window that opens, so
apparently it "knows" what window it's opening, but it's not the one I
selected with the mouse.

The mouse pointer is not set to jump to the most likely item; I hate
that behavior.

I have updated both the mouse (well, it's a touchpad actually) and
display drivers. However, because the scroll bar actually seems to
select another row when I click, not just the wrong window, I think
something else is at play. If it's relevant, both laptops have a
wide-screen format that I run at 1280x768 or 1280x800.

The really bizarre thing about this behavior is that it happens with
every-other selection; that is, it happens precisely one time out of
every 2 that I'll click on the taskbar to restore a window. The other
click will restore the window I really select. It doesn't seem to
confine itself to any particular program or circumstances.

Having experienced this on two different laptops, I feel sure I'm not
the only person in the world with the problem, although I know the
preference to run a bunch of separate windows showing on the taskbar
(instead of grouping them) is not the common one.

Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix this, rather than "do things
differently"? I've tried to search for answers in every way I can
imagine, but all I come up with are the (frequent) issues have with
jumping mouse on Dell laptops, which is a completely different issue
(and one I'm familiar with.)

Thanks.
 
U

Unknown

Flightless Bird
I don't have a touchpad, however do you have 'enhance pointer precision'
when displaying mouse pointer options?
"DE" <nowhere@all.disorg> wrote in message
news:eVJyiGNrKHA.3792@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> I've searched & searched, and not found a single report of this, though
> I've experienced it on two different Dell laptops. Please note, this
> is -not- the issue where the mouse cursor jumps to a different part of the
> screen on its own.
>
> I run XP/SP3 with the taskbar set to show each window, not grouped by
> type, so I might easily have 20 or more items showing on the taskbar on
> multiple rows, but with only one row displayed. Then I scroll (since I
> only show a single row) from one row to the next, if I want to switch from
> one program to another & the program is not visible in the taskbar row
> showing. It's an old habit, and always worked in the past, with the
> exception of two different Dell laptops (but also works fine on other Dell
> laptops.)
>
> Unfortunately, the problem resolved on the first Dell laptop at some
> point, and I don't recall or know how or when. But I'm stuck with it on
> the second laptop.
>
> Specific behavior is:
>
> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with multple
> rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a completely
> different window restores. This happens no matter how carefully, slowly,
> or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the task bar will scroll
> on its own to the row for the window that opens, so apparently it "knows"
> what window it's opening, but it's not the one I selected with the mouse.
>
> The mouse pointer is not set to jump to the most likely item; I hate that
> behavior.
>
> I have updated both the mouse (well, it's a touchpad actually) and display
> drivers. However, because the scroll bar actually seems to select another
> row when I click, not just the wrong window, I think something else is at
> play. If it's relevant, both laptops have a wide-screen format that I run
> at 1280x768 or 1280x800.
>
> The really bizarre thing about this behavior is that it happens with
> every-other selection; that is, it happens precisely one time out of
> every 2 that I'll click on the taskbar to restore a window. The other
> click will restore the window I really select. It doesn't seem to confine
> itself to any particular program or circumstances.
>
> Having experienced this on two different laptops, I feel sure I'm not the
> only person in the world with the problem, although I know the preference
> to run a bunch of separate windows showing on the taskbar (instead of
> grouping them) is not the common one.
>
> Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix this, rather than "do things
> differently"? I've tried to search for answers in every way I can
> imagine, but all I come up with are the (frequent) issues have with
> jumping mouse on Dell laptops, which is a completely different issue (and
> one I'm familiar with.)
>
> Thanks.
 
J

Jose

Flightless Bird
On Feb 13, 12:26 pm, DE <nowh...@all.disorg> wrote:
> I've searched & searched, and not found a single report of this, though
> I've experienced it on two different Dell laptops.  Please note, this is
> -not- the issue where the mouse cursor jumps to a different part of the
> screen on its own.
>
> I run XP/SP3 with the taskbar set to show each window, not grouped by
> type, so I might easily have 20 or more items showing on the taskbar on
> multiple rows, but with only one row displayed.  Then I scroll (since I
> only show a single row) from one row to the next, if I want to switch
> from one program to another & the program is not visible in the taskbar
> row showing.  It's an old habit, and always worked in the past, with the
> exception of two different Dell laptops (but also works fine on other
> Dell laptops.)
>
> Unfortunately, the problem resolved on the first Dell laptop at some
> point, and I don't recall or know how or when.  But I'm stuck with it on
> the second laptop.
>
> Specific behavior is:
>
> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with
> multple rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a
> completely different window restores.  This happens no matter how
> carefully, slowly, or un-quickly I click on it.  At the same time, the
> task bar will scroll on its own to the row for the window that opens, so
> apparently it "knows" what window it's opening, but it's not the one I
> selected with the mouse.
>
> The mouse pointer is not set to jump to the most likely item;  I hate
> that behavior.
>
> I have updated both the mouse (well, it's a touchpad actually) and
> display drivers.  However, because the scroll bar actually seems to
> select another row when I click, not just the wrong window, I think
> something else is at play.  If it's relevant, both laptops have a
> wide-screen format that I run at 1280x768 or 1280x800.
>
> The really bizarre thing about this behavior is that it happens with
> every-other selection;  that is, it happens precisely one time out of
> every 2 that I'll click on the taskbar to restore a window.  The other
> click will restore the window I really select.  It doesn't seem to
> confine itself to any particular program or circumstances.
>
> Having experienced this on two different laptops, I feel sure I'm not
> the only person in the world with the problem, although I know the
> preference to run a bunch of separate windows showing on the taskbar
> (instead of grouping them) is not the common one.
>
> Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix this, rather than "do things
> differently"?  I've tried to search for answers in every way I can
> imagine, but all I come up with are the (frequent) issues have with
> jumping mouse on Dell laptops, which is a completely different issue
> (and one I'm familiar with.)
>
> Thanks.


That would be the Dell Inspiron 15, right?
 
E

Elmo

Flightless Bird
DE wrote:
> I've searched & searched, and not found a single report of this, though
> I've experienced it on two different Dell laptops. Please note, this is
> -not- the issue where the mouse cursor jumps to a different part of the
> screen on its own.
>
> I run XP/SP3 with the taskbar set to show each window, not grouped by
> type, so I might easily have 20 or more items showing on the taskbar on
> multiple rows, but with only one row displayed. Then I scroll (since I
> only show a single row) from one row to the next, if I want to switch
> from one program to another & the program is not visible in the taskbar
> row showing. It's an old habit, and always worked in the past, with the
> exception of two different Dell laptops (but also works fine on other
> Dell laptops.)
>
> Unfortunately, the problem resolved on the first Dell laptop at some
> point, and I don't recall or know how or when. But I'm stuck with it on
> the second laptop.
>
> Specific behavior is:
>
> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with
> multple rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a
> completely different window restores. This happens no matter how
> carefully, slowly, or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the
> task bar will scroll on its own to the row for the window that opens, so
> apparently it "knows" what window it's opening, but it's not the one I
> selected with the mouse.
>
> The mouse pointer is not set to jump to the most likely item; I hate
> that behavior.
>
> I have updated both the mouse (well, it's a touchpad actually) and
> display drivers. However, because the scroll bar actually seems to
> select another row when I click, not just the wrong window, I think
> something else is at play. If it's relevant, both laptops have a
> wide-screen format that I run at 1280x768 or 1280x800.
>
> The really bizarre thing about this behavior is that it happens with
> every-other selection; that is, it happens precisely one time out of
> every 2 that I'll click on the taskbar to restore a window. The other
> click will restore the window I really select. It doesn't seem to
> confine itself to any particular program or circumstances.
>
> Having experienced this on two different laptops, I feel sure I'm not
> the only person in the world with the problem, although I know the
> preference to run a bunch of separate windows showing on the taskbar
> (instead of grouping them) is not the common one.
>
> Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix this, rather than "do things
> differently"? I've tried to search for answers in every way I can
> imagine, but all I come up with are the (frequent) issues have with
> jumping mouse on Dell laptops, which is a completely different issue
> (and one I'm familiar with.)
>
> Thanks.


If the Pointer Precision doesn't help, consider this:

Try lowering graphics hardware acceleration slide. You can lower
graphics hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings tab,
Advanced button, Troubleshooting tab. If this helps, you probably need
a different graphics card or updated drivers.

--
Joe =o)
 
D

DE

Flightless Bird
No, but with that thought (a sensible one) I have already tried various
tweaks in that area, to no avail.
I actually meant to say that but fumbled it.
Thanks.

Unknown wrote:
> I don't have a touchpad, however do you have 'enhance pointer precision'
> when displaying mouse pointer options?


> "DE" <nowhere@all.disorg> wrote in message
> news:eVJyiGNrKHA.3792@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> I've searched & searched, and not found a single report of this, though
>> I've experienced it on two different Dell laptops. Please note, this
>> is -not- the issue where the mouse cursor jumps to a different part of the
>> screen on its own.
>>
>> I run XP/SP3 with the taskbar set to show each window, not grouped by
>> type, so I might easily have 20 or more items showing on the taskbar on
>> multiple rows, but with only one row displayed. Then I scroll (since I
>> only show a single row) from one row to the next, if I want to switch from
>> one program to another & the program is not visible in the taskbar row
>> showing. It's an old habit, and always worked in the past, with the
>> exception of two different Dell laptops (but also works fine on other Dell
>> laptops.)
>>
>> Unfortunately, the problem resolved on the first Dell laptop at some
>> point, and I don't recall or know how or when. But I'm stuck with it on
>> the second laptop.
>>
>> Specific behavior is:
>>
>> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with multple
>> rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a completely
>> different window restores. This happens no matter how carefully, slowly,
>> or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the task bar will scroll
>> on its own to the row for the window that opens, so apparently it "knows"
>> what window it's opening, but it's not the one I selected with the mouse.
>>
>> The mouse pointer is not set to jump to the most likely item; I hate that
>> behavior.
>>
>> I have updated both the mouse (well, it's a touchpad actually) and display
>> drivers. However, because the scroll bar actually seems to select another
>> row when I click, not just the wrong window, I think something else is at
>> play. If it's relevant, both laptops have a wide-screen format that I run
>> at 1280x768 or 1280x800.
>>
>> The really bizarre thing about this behavior is that it happens with
>> every-other selection; that is, it happens precisely one time out of
>> every 2 that I'll click on the taskbar to restore a window. The other
>> click will restore the window I really select. It doesn't seem to confine
>> itself to any particular program or circumstances.
>>
>> Having experienced this on two different laptops, I feel sure I'm not the
>> only person in the world with the problem, although I know the preference
>> to run a bunch of separate windows showing on the taskbar (instead of
>> grouping them) is not the common one.
>>
>> Anybody have any thoughts on how to fix this, rather than "do things
>> differently"? I've tried to search for answers in every way I can
>> imagine, but all I come up with are the (frequent) issues have with
>> jumping mouse on Dell laptops, which is a completely different issue (and
>> one I'm familiar with.)
>>
>> Thanks.

>
>
 
D

DE

Flightless Bird
Elmo wrote:
> DE wrote:

....
>> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with
>> multple rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a
>> completely different window restores. This happens no matter how
>> carefully, slowly, or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the
>> task bar will scroll on its own to the row for the window that opens, so
>> apparently it "knows" what window it's opening, but it's not the one I
>> selected with the mouse.

....
>
> If the Pointer Precision doesn't help, consider this:
>
> Try lowering graphics hardware acceleration slide. You can lower
> graphics hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings tab,
> Advanced button, Troubleshooting tab.


Yes, that was it. I may have done that on the other laptop at some
point, and not remembered it. Doing that, plus changing some of the
advanced effects so that it isn't completely Windows-managed, fixed the
problem totally. (I don't like the "fade" settings and animations
anyway; I like things snappy and clean.)

> If this helps, you probably need
> a different graphics card or updated drivers.
>


I might, but getting a new card would be probably half the cost of the
laptop, and not worth it to me; it works fine with acceleration
dropped, and I dislike those other effects anyway.

And I had already tried different/updated drivers, 3 different sets
including those directly from Intel, to no avail.

But thank you for putting me on to the right area of settings! It's
such a little thing, but SO VERY ANNOYING!
 
E

Elmo

Flightless Bird
DE wrote:
> Elmo wrote:
>> DE wrote:

> ...
>>> When I have multiple program windows showing on the taskbar, with
>>> multple rows, sometimes I click on one to restore it, and instead a
>>> completely different window restores. This happens no matter how
>>> carefully, slowly, or un-quickly I click on it. At the same time, the
>>> task bar will scroll on its own to the row for the window that opens, so
>>> apparently it "knows" what window it's opening, but it's not the one I
>>> selected with the mouse.

> ...
>>
>> If the Pointer Precision doesn't help, consider this:
>>
>> Try lowering graphics hardware acceleration slide. You can lower
>> graphics hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings tab,
>> Advanced button, Troubleshooting tab.


That's great! Thanks for reporting back.

> Yes, that was it. I may have done that on the other laptop at some
> point, and not remembered it. Doing that, plus changing some of the
> advanced effects so that it isn't completely Windows-managed, fixed the
> problem totally. (I don't like the "fade" settings and animations
> anyway; I like things snappy and clean.)
>
>> If this helps, you probably need
>> a different graphics card or updated drivers.
>>

>
> I might, but getting a new card would be probably half the cost of the
> laptop, and not worth it to me; it works fine with acceleration
> dropped, and I dislike those other effects anyway.
>
> And I had already tried different/updated drivers, 3 different sets
> including those directly from Intel, to no avail.
>
> But thank you for putting me on to the right area of settings! It's
> such a little thing, but SO VERY ANNOYING!



--
Joe =o)
 
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