Optical mouse problems?

Post by **Just another player** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 4:16 am

I bought an optical mouse, it's a Micro Innovations (yeah, it's cheap) and when I play q3a and am shooting at my opponent, my mouse, will just out of nowhere, spaz out and be pointing straight up for no reason at all.

I know it's not the server I play in (because it's always near flawless) or my rate, or my connection, and I have punkbuster updated.

Do I need to setup my optical mouse settings in my control panel for gaming or something?

Post by **reallyfull** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:08 am

The quality of your mouse probably has something to do with it. Here are some things you can try. What type of surface are you using the mouse on? If you are using it on a lighter color surface that could cause some problems also a reflective surface is bad too. Try a dark colored non-reflective surface and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't it's probably the mouse. Get something from logitech or microsoft.

Post by **menkent** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:37 pm

also make sure you have the correct drivers installed.
but yea, get a non-shit mouse.

Post by **Just another player** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:47 pm

reallyfull wrote:The quality of your mouse probably has something to do with it. Here are some things you can try. What type of surface are you using the mouse on? If you are using it on a lighter color surface that could cause some problems also a reflective surface is bad too. Try a dark colored non-reflective surface and see if it makes a difference. If it doesn't it's probably the mouse. Get something from logitech or microsoft.

Yeah, I spent $20 on it. And I thought that was a lot lol. Shows much I know about getting the right kind of mouse.

I'm just using a very generic $2 mousepad right now, I tried without the mousepad and the cursor will get lost on my screen sometimes.

What would you suggest for a logtec mouse that will play well with Quake III Arena? I searched and am overwhelmed by all the different types of Logitec Optical mouse's their are.

Post by **Just another player** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:49 pm

menkent wrote:also make sure you have the correct drivers installed.
but yea, get a non-shit mouse.

I don't think I have ever updated my drivers. Ever. This can't be the case though because before I got the optical, it was running just fine.

But I am tempted to update drivers just because it COULD improve my optical mouse sensitivity? Who knows. I am afraid to update though because I'm scared I might do something wrong and Quake III Arena won't run for me anymore and will have to reformat and yada, yada, yada lol

Post by **4days** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:01 pm

make sure there isn't any crap on the mouse that could be messing up/refracting the red beam.

got an mx510 and a rimless baking tray (very cheap, ultra slidey mousemats) - excellent combination for playing games, until the cat jumps on my desk and gets hair in the bottom of the mouse - then i get the same problems you're describing.

the standard logitech 3-button jobby is a good mouse if you prefer something smaller. been using one at work and never had any trouble with it.

Post by **Foo** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:06 pm

Black, textured surfaces give the best reponse on a red-beam optical mouse. Second to that, a veneer wood desk surface works admirably too.

If updating your drivers doesn't help matters (there should have been drivers/software on a CD that came with your mouse) then you may simply be limited by the mouse mechanics themselves.

But I owned a Logitech Optical some years back which exhibited the same behavior from time to time.

Depending on your budget, and if you do decide in the end that you want a better mouse, you should direct your attention to any of the Logitech, Microsoft, or Razor line mice in your price range. Look for the products aimed towards gaming (High sensor resolution) rather than office features (extra scroll and tilt wheels, more buttons), as this will help ensure that you're putting your money towards the best use.

Post by JB » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:53 am

i dont know. I like the simplistic, easy-to-use, reliable logitech mouses

Post by **Just another player** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:19 pm

JB wrote:i dont know. I like the simplistic, easy-to-use, reliable logitech mouses

Do you have MX518 work well? I ask that because it seems to be popuar?

And how do people play on a black textured surface? I turned my mousepad upside down because it's black texture and I can barely even move the mouse!! How do you guys do it?!?! lol

Post by **Just another player** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:23 pm

Foo wrote:Black, textured surfaces give the best reponse on a red-beam optical mouse. Second to that, a veneer wood desk surface works admirably too.

If updating your drivers doesn't help matters (there should have been drivers/software on a CD that came with your mouse) then you may simply be limited by the mouse mechanics themselves.

But I owned a Logitech Optical some years back which exhibited the same behavior from time to time.

Depending on your budget, and if you do decide in the end that you want a better mouse, you should direct your attention to any of the Logitech, Microsoft, or Razor line mice in your price range. Look for the products aimed towards gaming (High sensor resolution) rather than office features (extra scroll and tilt wheels, more buttons), as this will help ensure that you're putting your money towards the best use.

Do you think this is a pretty good deal? I don't want too expensive of a mosue, I'm not going for "to get better" , I'm gong for comfort. But I wouldn't mind improving some either. But that's not up to the mouse, that's up to me lol

http://www.nextag.com/Logitech-MX518-Ga ... rices-html

Post by **Foo** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:35 pm

The 518 is a very solid mouse. I'm using one now that replaced my mx510. That does look like a good deal.

Before you invest though, are you using your mouse on the USB or PS2 port? If PS2, try swapping to USB if possible.

Post by **4days** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:38 pm

Foo wrote:The 518 is a very solid mouse.

that sensitivity business. you can turn it off/rebind the buttons to something else?

Post by **Foo** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:40 pm

Yeah. I tried it for a few days but it's 100% gimmick. May as well bump it to 1600dpi and leave it there all the time.

I'm not using the keys for anything, but they can be re-bound in the control panel.

The first thing to go on these mice is always the logi symbol on the back of the mouse. Turns to ugly-looking mush in a matter of months.

Post by **spookmineer** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:08 pm

I kinda like how it looks

Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:40 pm

Foo wrote:The 518 is a very solid mouse. I'm using one now that replaced my mx510. That does look like a good deal.

Before you invest though, are you using your mouse on the USB or PS2 port? If PS2, try swapping to USB if possible.

Yeah. It's a PS2. I noticed the Logitech's use USB.

Post by **Foo** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:07 pm

It may be the PS2 that's causing it.

Like I said, I've had this problem before, even on a brand mouse. I'm somewhat cautious to recommend picking up a new mouse as it's always preferably to avoid spending money.

I can't guarantee it'll fix the problem, though I believe it will.

Post by JB » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:22 am

Just another player wrote:
Do you have MX518 work well? I ask that because it seems to be popuar?

And how do people play on a black textured surface? I turned my mousepad upside down because it's black texture and I can barely even move the mouse!! How do you guys do it?!?! lol

Yeah, MX518, i've had it for ages :P

Try using a multi-coloured, smooth surface. Just a guess, i dont think that will work

Post by **spookmineer** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:32 am

Black surface with smooth surface (so mouse moves smooth) and "rough" appearance (so light scatters) is best.

Post by JB » Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:10 am

Smooth, yet textured, and black is advised

Post by **Just another player** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:29 am

Thanks for the help guys. I went ahead and took back that cheap optical mouse I bought from Walmart and am going to order the Logitech MX518 online.

I'm currently using my old roller ball mouse right now and when I am playing my weapon switches on me when I'm not even wanting to change it!!! I have cg_autoswitch to 0 so it doesn't change automatically on me but it is, not sure why it's doing that.

I guess i shouldn't have to worry about it for too long since I will be ordering the MX518. But it's annoying and would like to know why it's even doing this!

Post by **Ganemi** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:24 am

My Logitech G5 mouse is pretty sweet. The only issue I had with it when I got it was that the mouse button would get stuck while playing, but after a few months that issue disappeared.

I wonder what these jerk faces have to say about it. : ]