Hi

I think there's a virus/trojan running on my pc, but I can't seem to get rid of it. Almost every time I use the computer now, after a period of use the cursor begins moving erratically when I touch the mouse, with the cursor randomly going everywhere I don't want it to, clicking on boxes etc. I've spoken to a friend who ended up taking his computer to be fixed due to the same problem, but I'm thinking that's a bit severe.. can anyone identify this as a specific virus, and advise as to how I can remove it? I've tried searching for info on it but to no avail.. :(

Cheers.

PS. I have a bog-standard, non-optical ball mouse and have not changed it at all - this is not the source of the problem.

Originally posted by Crackers
Hi

I think there's a virus/trojan running on my pc, but I can't seem to get rid of it. Almost every time I use the computer now, after a period of use the cursor begins moving erratically when I touch the mouse, with the cursor randomly going everywhere I don't want it to, clicking on boxes etc. I've spoken to a friend who ended up taking his computer to be fixed due to the same problem, but I'm thinking that's a bit severe.. can anyone identify this as a specific virus, and advise as to how I can remove it? I've tried searching for info on it but to no avail.. :(

Cheers.

PS. I have a bog-standard, non-optical ball mouse and have not changed it at all - this is not the source of the problem.

You say the mouse is not the cause of the problem? However, I'd still try another mouse first.

If the same erratic behaviour occurs, you'll need to give us a little more information before anyone will be able to offer any sort of definitive answer.

ie Operating System, list of programs starting at boot time etc.

Assuming it's not just a faulty mouse, why not just try scanning for a virus rather than googling it? :) AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01) is free... Then try some antispyware programs - there's plenty of threads suggesting which ones are good.

Originally posted by rich951
Assuming it's not just a faulty mouse, why not just try scanning for a virus rather than googling it? :) AVG (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01) is free... Then try some antispyware programs - there's plenty of threads suggesting which ones are good.
I use both AVG and Spybot - nothing. Perhaps it may be the mouse.. but as it works perfectly fine, then goes completely bonkers, it just doesn't seem like the problem to me.

Could be something weird like an electronics problem (dodgy contact inside etc) giving intermittent problems. It's got to be worth just sticking another mouse in for a while to see if that solves it... Optical mice are well worth having if you fancy treating yourself :)

Originally posted by rich951
Could be something weird like an electronics problem (dodgy contact inside etc) giving intermittent problems. It's got to be worth just sticking another mouse in for a while to see if that solves it... Optical mice are well worth having if you fancy treating yourself :)
Ok - I've recently seen a decent-looking cheap optical mouse, so I'll try that. However, just to add to this, in all my many years of using computer mice (16-17 years), I've never experienced a problem like this, ever. Therefore, I *still* say it's a virus!

Thanks for the advice though.. :)

Originally posted by Crackers
Ok - I've recently seen a decent-looking cheap optical mouse, so I'll try that. However, just to add to this, in all my many years of using computer mice (16-17 years), I've never experienced a problem like this, ever. Therefore, I *still* say it's a virus!

Thanks for the advice though.. :) So do a scan then, as advised above!!!!!!

What's the point of asking for advice if you know the answer anyway?

Ann_x: what's the point in replying so aggressively if you haven't read the thread properly??

Originally posted by Crackers
I use both AVG and Spybot - nothing. Perhaps it may be the mouse.. but as it works perfectly fine, then goes completely bonkers, it just doesn't seem like the problem to me.

he did do a scan and found nothing


doesnt sound like you have a virus then to me :)
does sound like it could be the mouse

OK.. this is a bit embarrassing. But I took your advice and switched the mouse.. and I am pleased to announce that so far.. ahem.. there has been no sign of the problem at all. :roll: :blush: :hihi:

Thanks a lot for all the advice. Yes, yes ok.. you were right. :)

Sounds like it could be heavy processor activity, try extending the time before the screen saver kicks in, have a look in task manager for the processor usage

OK.. this is a bit embarrassing. But I took your advice and switched the mouse.. and I am pleased to announce that so far.. ahem.. there has been no sign of the problem at all. :roll: :blush: :hihi:

Thanks a lot for all the advice. Yes, yes ok.. you were right. :)


Don't worry about it.

At least you know you've no virus/trojan:).