Do mice go bad?

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

My laser (corded) mouse that I've had for years has been acting strange. Sometimes the arrow/cursor moves in the opposite direction that I'm moving the mouse, and sometimes it jumps around the screen like crazy. Is this a mouse problem or is my graphics card going nuts?

Do you have any recommendations for a new one? I want a laser mouse (don't really care whether it's cordless), with a scroll wheel, and preferably side buttons (i.e., a five button mouse). Maybe now is a good time to just buy a Wacom tablet and pen... hmmmm.

[longears]

Evoluent VerticalMouse

[71 dB]

Is this a mouse problem or is my graphics card going nuts?

I'm pretty sure the problem is optical. The laser diode of your mouse is dirty.

[MishaK]

I'm pretty sure the problem is optical. The laser diode of your mouse is dirty.

That, or there is crud on the surface of the mousepad/desk where it's being used.

[Szykneij]

Do mice go bad?

Yes, they do. And then they join gangs and wear this T-shirt:



Sorry, I couldn't resist. This thread gives new meaning to the phrase "you dirty rat". 

[Siedler]

Yes, I do believe they have a 'best before' date.

[MishaK]

Yes, I do believe they have a 'best before' date.

At first I thought this thread was seeking advice on cat food storage.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

At first I thought this thread was seeking advice on cat food storage.

Please direct all such questions to Air Canada, who seem to have figured it out. On a recent flight to Toronto, they had "meals for sale". I wasn't too hungry and just wanted a little snack, so I opted for the "tuna salad" ($2). I swear to god, what they gave me looked like a can of Fancy Feast cat food; the flavor was about what you'd expect...

[Heather Harrison]

When I saw this thread, I thought of renegade rodents being even more destructive than they usually are.

I haven't had the precise problem you mention with computer mice, but I have had other problems and have come to the conclusion that they cannot be relied upon.

Heather