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Question Profile
| DATE | Aug 16, 2007 |
| TICKET | #334561 |
| STATUS | Closed |
| SUBJECT | desktop pointer freezes up |
| CAT | Computers, Operating Systems, Applications or Connected Devices |
| TYPE | Computer Hardware (RAM, Drives, Video Cards, Motherbaord, CPU, etc) |
| DESC | CPU |
| DESC | |
| PLATFORM | |
| MODEL | |
| PROC | |
| RAM | |
| DRIVE | |
| NAME | Charles |
| USERNAME | dadgadder |
| TECHNICAL | Little Experience |
| ISSUE | Totally Lost |
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> desktop pointer freezes up
dadgadder - Aug 16, 2007 - 10:03 pm
HI ,
I am at a public library and accidently hit the escapr key and lost a half hour message. I have 4 minutes left. pointer freezes up i unplug then plug in usb which helps temporarily. Onyx nightly maintenance helpeed but just for 2 dqys. the pointer keeps stopping and not responding to mouser
Stuartpau - Aug 18, 2007 - 3:21 pm
Hi, it would be very helpful, if you could let me know what computer you are using, which version of the operating system OSX 10.4.1.0 you have and so on.
This information is available from the About this Mac under the Apple menu items, under the more info button, if you can get to it that is.
If you have no mouse at all, you can still navigate around the computer to some degree.
For example using the Tab key along with the arrow keys you should be able to first of all select your HD on the Desktop and open it, using Command (Apple Key), O, this is the command for open. Then using your tab key and your arrow keys, navigate to Applications/Utilities/System Profiler. Once you get to system profiler, select it using the keys and then open it.
The first page should give you some information regarding which Machine you have. Now I am assuming that you are on a Macintosh and not on a Windows system, if you are the procedure is quite different depending one which version of Windows you are using, as you can see, without some basic info, it is a little difficult trying to help.
So please send me as much info as you can. Also especially important is what type of mouse you have. Logitech, Apple, Razer Cordless optical Etc. Also if it is wireless, let me know if it is a Bluetooth Mouse or if it has its own little receiver OK.
One thing you can try you have a Mac is, when you restart the Mac, Hold down the following keys, all at the same time, until you have heard the startup chime at least 3 times. The keys are Cmd (Apple) Option (Alt) P, R.
You must keep these keys held down until you have heard the chime at least 2 times preferably 3.
This is resetting the PRAM on your Mac and it brings the Mac back to its original factory specifications and that includes mouse handling. It may also reset your system clock to the incorrect time, so you may have to change that, unless you use te Network to set the clock.
After the third Chime, let go of the keys and let the mac startup.
Do you have full access to this machine, I notice you mention you are at a public Library.
To troubleshoot a computer you often need an administrator account as a lot of features that need to be altered are only accessible with this type of account.
So let me know what you can, try out the PRAM settings and let me know what happens OK
Stuart
This information is available from the About this Mac under the Apple menu items, under the more info button, if you can get to it that is.
If you have no mouse at all, you can still navigate around the computer to some degree.
For example using the Tab key along with the arrow keys you should be able to first of all select your HD on the Desktop and open it, using Command (Apple Key), O, this is the command for open. Then using your tab key and your arrow keys, navigate to Applications/Utilities/System Profiler. Once you get to system profiler, select it using the keys and then open it.
The first page should give you some information regarding which Machine you have. Now I am assuming that you are on a Macintosh and not on a Windows system, if you are the procedure is quite different depending one which version of Windows you are using, as you can see, without some basic info, it is a little difficult trying to help.
So please send me as much info as you can. Also especially important is what type of mouse you have. Logitech, Apple, Razer Cordless optical Etc. Also if it is wireless, let me know if it is a Bluetooth Mouse or if it has its own little receiver OK.
One thing you can try you have a Mac is, when you restart the Mac, Hold down the following keys, all at the same time, until you have heard the startup chime at least 3 times. The keys are Cmd (Apple) Option (Alt) P, R.
You must keep these keys held down until you have heard the chime at least 2 times preferably 3.
This is resetting the PRAM on your Mac and it brings the Mac back to its original factory specifications and that includes mouse handling. It may also reset your system clock to the incorrect time, so you may have to change that, unless you use te Network to set the clock.
After the third Chime, let go of the keys and let the mac startup.
Do you have full access to this machine, I notice you mention you are at a public Library.
To troubleshoot a computer you often need an administrator account as a lot of features that need to be altered are only accessible with this type of account.
So let me know what you can, try out the PRAM settings and let me know what happens OK
Stuart
dadgadder - Aug 20, 2007 - 6:07 pm
Stuart, thanks 4 your pompt attention,
My system=Dual G5 1.8 Ghz/768 ram/ OS X 10.3.9. I was thinking that I had a profile at the site that listed this information already, hence the reason I didn't include it.
I am back online at home with access to my beloved Mac and I have a 10.4.6 disc that I haven't loaded yet because I'm not sure if I need to back up my files to a external drive or simply just load. I mention it because I'm wondering if Tiger would make a difference in the performance of the pointer.
I had a situation a while back when something happened that set my system back to default settings. I lost bookmarks but not my files "whew". Is this the same as resetting the PRAM settings. I'll wait to hear back from you before I attempt the keyboard/2-3 chimes strategy. Would it be wise to back up my files externally as well when I do?
The mouse is the regular usb connected, laser type and is 2 years old as is the whole system.
My goals with my mac involve audio engineering ( recording home made music)
Charles
Stuartpau - Aug 21, 2007 - 8:29 pm
HI I thought maybe you had resolved the situation. It is ALWAYS wise to back up your files if you can no matter what is going on.
Resetting the PRAM, is not something that would happend accidently, so I really don't think that event that occured had anything to do with that, but definitely get your files off if you can. If you use anything like Entourage, you will also want to backup the Microsoft User Data file.
Once you have done that then go ahead and do the PRAM. Reset.
Serenak, has posted a very possible case with any wired USB mouse. With all the motion the wires can become broken inside the insulation and this would easily cause the symptoms you appear to be having. IT is always a good idea ot have a couple of mice available, especially if oyu use wired ones instead of Bluetooth or radio Mice. They all have their problems and I have no mice that are older that a year, as i use them that much.
So if you cna rule out the mouse as being the problem, for example by using it on another system that would be an excellent idea.
Do the PRAM reset and let me know whaat happens. Theoretically it should not damage any of your files but if you can back them up then do it. That will leave you free to reinstall the OS if need be. I try to avoid that as i have so much stuff on my systems, it would take a month easily just to rebuild all the applications and their supporting files.
Most Audio files have a lot of supporting files like Sample Etc nad I have thousands probably hundreds of thousands of these so I generally try to avoid redoing the OS unless I have to, but I always back up my entire Startup drive and the drive I use to keep my samples and other audio support files on.
The 10.4.6 disk might be an option, but make sure you get your files off the drive first.
Stuart
Resetting the PRAM, is not something that would happend accidently, so I really don't think that event that occured had anything to do with that, but definitely get your files off if you can. If you use anything like Entourage, you will also want to backup the Microsoft User Data file.
Once you have done that then go ahead and do the PRAM. Reset.
Serenak, has posted a very possible case with any wired USB mouse. With all the motion the wires can become broken inside the insulation and this would easily cause the symptoms you appear to be having. IT is always a good idea ot have a couple of mice available, especially if oyu use wired ones instead of Bluetooth or radio Mice. They all have their problems and I have no mice that are older that a year, as i use them that much.
So if you cna rule out the mouse as being the problem, for example by using it on another system that would be an excellent idea.
Do the PRAM reset and let me know whaat happens. Theoretically it should not damage any of your files but if you can back them up then do it. That will leave you free to reinstall the OS if need be. I try to avoid that as i have so much stuff on my systems, it would take a month easily just to rebuild all the applications and their supporting files.
Most Audio files have a lot of supporting files like Sample Etc nad I have thousands probably hundreds of thousands of these so I generally try to avoid redoing the OS unless I have to, but I always back up my entire Startup drive and the drive I use to keep my samples and other audio support files on.
The 10.4.6 disk might be an option, but make sure you get your files off the drive first.
Stuart
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