Is this a virus?

[adamthole]

Every once a while, the pointer on my screen goes psyco, it goes moving all around, closing windows, minimizing forms, etc. It just moves all over. It also does it when i play games (mainly Quake 3, or Wolfenstein). Does anyone have a clue what this is? Ive even redone my hard drive a couple times, and it still does it. It only does it like twice a month though. Thanks.

[devinemi83]

run an antivirus scan NOW!!! if you dont have one go to www.housecall.antivirus.com, if a free online scanner, and if you do have one, go and update its pattern files. If you have no virus, it could be a driver conflict or an interupt problem. If this is a trojan, it could be something more evil than what is doing, so you have to kill it now if its there. Also, scan any floppies or cd you made. If you burned it onto a CD or floppy you would reinfect after reinstalling everything.

[DJ Zeratul]

I am not going to say "its not a virus" straight out but this has happened to me before also... Check to see if you have any joystocks plugged into your game ports or USB ports, and if you have a pen tablet, check to see that the pen is not causing the mouse to flicker up... I would be more inclined to say it is a joystick though because they can go spaztic and also the programmed keystrokes can cause minimization and closing of windows... If this is not the case, and you have no viruses, I dont know what to say, but I hope this information can be of use to you.

-Z

[djstealth]

Do you have some remote managing software such as PCAnywhere installed? Perhaps someone knows the login/password/IP to your computer.

[tigerwolf]

It does sound like some hardware conflict instead of a virus. Especially since you mentioned redoing your hard drive and its still doing it. What type of mouse do you use? Serial or PS2? Have you made sure its fully connected. Have you checked the device manager under control panel and system and seen if there are any conflicts there? You may also want to check with the motherboard manufacturer and see about any issues they may have had. I mean there are any number of things that could be causing. Hell it could be the mouse itself, have you tried using a different mouse on the system?

Does the problem occur in correlation to anything else. I mean when it occurs note what else you've done prior to it happening. Sometimes you'll see a pattern. Everytime I run the printer the mouse goes nuts, etc. Given you said the frequency was minimal, I would say it is possibly some software or something you are doing at those moments that is causing it.

[zzyzzx]

If you have a regular mouse (not optical) have you checked for dirt in your mouse?

[dumwaldo]

this sounds like what happens when i get a cat hair under my optical mouse... do you have a cat?

you left out some information so i just have a few questions for you.
do you have anti virus software?
do you have a firewall?
if you do have a firewall is it software or hardware?
what is allowed to pass through your firewall?
have you run any checks for virus?
do you have a optical mouse or one with a ball?
do you have a corded mouse or a cordless one?
do you have a ps2 mouse or a usb mouse?
do you have the correct drivers for your mouse installed?
do you connect the mouse through the keyboard or directly to the computer?
what does "Ive even redone my hard drive a couple times" mean?
what have you done to troubleshoot the problem?
have you gone to the manufacturers website and checked the faq or support page for help?
who is the manufacturer of your mouse?
could you have included less information in your post?
did you really think someone would magically know how to fix what they cant see and you offered no details of?
have you seen this post.. http://www.vcdhelp.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=78182 ?
did you read that post?
why not?
dont you think its time you did?

[adamthole]

geez dumwaldo, cam down.

Basically, I just wanted to know if it was a known virus. Which it isnt, therefore I know it is no big deal. Thanks for all of the help everyone. I believe the probelm has to do with my Gravis Game Pad. It seems to only happen after ive been gaming alot, so Im guessing it is the problem. Thanks.

And I do have virus protection, no fire wall, corded ball USB HP mouse, and no cat.

[tigerwolf]

now that's a psychotic episode I'm accustom to. Feel better dumwaldo?

LOL.