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Strange things happening: programs opening on their own, mouse clicks things I don't click....

Anonymous
2012-10-10T16:34:42+00:00

I've been having some strange problems on my Windows Vista laptop. It just started acting up today. This time I've tried all sorts of scans, clean-ups, problem checks, but nothing is helping.

It's quite hard to describe, but basically the computer seems to be acting as if the mouse is being clicked when I'm not even touching it. So for example, then I click the start menu or right-click to bring up a scroll-down menu, it flashes up briefly but then disappears. Or I'm running a program and a box pops up saying 'Are you sure you want to close this program' when I haven't pressed anything. In Excel I try to type something in a cell but before I've finished typing the text disappears (exactly the same happens when I'm typing an address into web browser). Sometimes an open window will just close on its own.

It's not happening all the time, and even when it is happening I can still do a lot of normal stuff on the computer. But once it sets in it does seem to get progressively worse. Then, when it gets too much and I have to restart the computer, once it has rebooted it starts to make a really loud constant beeping noise, and I have to press F8 a few times to stop the beeping and bring up that options menu (safe mode, etc).

I'm not particularly computer literature, and have exhausted all the ways I know to deal with problems. I can't find any reference to this problem in other forum posts on here. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

My laptop has a touchpad, but I only use a corded mouse. (And yes, I've tried a different mouse, the problem still occurs)

(P.S. Not sure I've posted this in the correct part of the forum. Please let me know if I'd be better off posting it elsewhere)

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2012-10-18T12:23:19+00:00

Hi ComputerNerdDJMJ,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Communities.

I understand how frustrating it could be when things do not work as expected. Please do not worry I will try my best to resolve it.

Before we start troubleshooting on the issue please provide us with the additional information by answering few questions mentioned below, this will help us to troubleshoot better.

1.       Were there any recent changes made to the computer prior to the issue?

I would suggest you to follow the steps provided; this would help you to resolve the issue.

Method 1: set your computer in Clean Boot state and check if the same issue occurs.

By setting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After clean boot troubleshooting step, follow Step 7 in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.

Method 2: Mouse, touchpad, and keyboard problems in Windows: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/mouse-touchpad-and-keyboard-problems-in-windows?T1=tab05

Method 3: Also scan your computer from Microsoft Safety Scanner, which would help us to get rid of viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

Note: The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

Note: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Please perform these recommended steps and post back if you are still experiencing the issue.

Hope this information is helpful.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-17T19:42:30+00:00

    Hello Computer Nerd,

    Just now found this thread, and see that as of Nov 21, 2012 your problem was not solved - - - - - - - and yet on Oct 24, 2012 your question was marked as answered by Syed N.  Makes one wonder why he did this!  Do you really think it should be marked as answered?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-10T18:18:49+00:00

    One possibility is that you PC is being accessed remotely without your permission. Physically unplug your internet connection and see if the problem stops. If it does then I'd be suspicious.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-10-11T01:12:12+00:00

    Actually, I use the computer only for editing. I don't connect it to the internet regularly, and it was not connected to the internet when this problem occurred.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-11-21T20:51:25+00:00

    I'm not aware of any changes made before this occurred. It happens on and off. The best way to explain it is it's like the mouse is clicked constantly. If I hover over anything, ever for just a millisecond, it clicks it. I assume it's a virus and not a problem with the touchpad or mouse.

    I booted in safe mode and it still happens, and I ran a quick scan from METHOD 3 above, and it found nothing. Doing a full scan now. Also, tried Malwarebytes and it found nothing. Someone please help me!

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