Mouse movement hangs intermittently

I've been fighting a problem where the mouse stops moving intermittently, for a few seconds. I've found a number of possible fixes on the web but none helped. Then one day while it was happening, my Internet service failed due to a problem at the ISP, As soon as that happened, my mouse starting working normally and did so for the next five hours while the Internet service was down.

 

I might go for many hours and not have a problem. But when it starts, the mouse has "jerky" movement off and on for an hour or so. There doesn't seem to be a common time when it happens. I'm guessing that the cause is that some program(s) is accessing the Internet, maybe checking for updates or something like that. I have the Process Explorer program installed and when the mouse starts showing problems, l look at that program but can't see anything out of the normal. Is there a way to see what programs are accessing the web? Or is there something else I can do?

Hello and welcome to BC:

Have you tried a temporary, reversible "clean boot" to try to rule out a software conflict?
https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/article/5507/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-7

Next: We need more information in order to better assist you.

FIRST:

1. Please download, install and run the Free version of Speccy from here: https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy.
2. Then, go to File > Publish Snapshot
3. Click YES > Copy to Clipboard
4. Then please post the LINK to the report by pasting it into your next reply.

NEXT:

1. Please download and install MiniToolBox from here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/minitoolbox/
2. Place a checkmark in the following boxes:

List Last 10 Event Viewer Errors
List Installed Programs
List Problematic Devices
List Users, Partitions and Memory size

3. Click “GO”
4. Please post the text results here by pasting them in your next reply in this thread.

Thanks

No, I haven't tried a clean boot due to how intermittent the problem is. If it worked after a clean boot there would be no way to know if the problem was still there or not because it can sometimes take many hours for it to show up and I can't run the computer that long in that mode.

 

Here's the Speccy and Minitoolbox output. One of the changes I made for this problem is to uninstall the Opera browser because I found others saying it caused this problem. But I see it is listed in the services so maybe that is the problem. I will remove that service,

 

MiniToolBox by Farbar  Version: 13-05-2022
Ran by Jack (administrator) on 29-02-2024 at 14:14:17
Running from "I:\OK2RM\downloads"
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium  Service Pack 1 (X64)
Model: Aurora Manufacturer: Alienware
Boot Mode: Normal
***************************************************************************

========================= Event log errors: ===============================

Application errors:
==================
Error: (02/27/2024 12:42:38 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: Invalid (old?) table or database name 'osc_solution_v234 - Copy'

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:42:38 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: Invalid (old?) table or database name 'osc_solution_v234 - Copy'

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: Fatal error: Can't open and lock privilege tables: Table 'mysql.user' doesn't existFor more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: Can't open the mysql.plugin table. Please run mysql_upgrade to create it.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: Could not find a valid tablespace file for `wendelsql/searchword_swap`. Please refer to http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/innodb-troubleshooting-datadict.html for how to resolve the issue.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: Cannot open datafile for read-only: '.\wendelsql\searchword_swap.ibd' OS error: 103For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: If you are installing InnoDB, remember that you must create directories yourself, InnoDB does not create them.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: The error means the system cannot find the path specified.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: Operating system error number 3 in a file operation.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.

Error: (02/27/2024 12:11:07 PM) (Source: MySQL) (EventID: 100) (User: )
Description: InnoDB: Could not find a valid tablespace file for `wendelsql/search_queries_sorted`. Please refer to http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/innodb-troubleshooting-datadict.html for how to resolve the issue.For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.


System errors:
=============
Error: (02/29/2024 02:01:08 PM) (Source: Service Control Manager) (EventID: 7023) (User: )
Description: The Peer Name Resolution Protocol service terminated with the following error:
%%-2140993535

Error: (02/29/2024 02:01:08 PM) (Source: PNRPSvc) (EventID: 102) (User: )
Description: Event-ID 102

Error: (02/28/2024 11:49:55 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:49:55 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:49:54 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:49:53 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:49:53 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:47:53 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:47:53 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.

Error: (02/28/2024 11:47:53 AM) (Source: Schannel) (EventID: 4119) (User: NT AUTHORITY)
Description: The following fatal alert was received: 70.


=========================== Installed Programs ============================

7-Zip 22.00 (x64 edition) (HKLM\...\{23170F69-40C1-2702-2200-000001000000}) (Version: 22.00.00.0 - Igor Pavlov)
7-Zip 23.01 (x64) (HKLM\...\7-Zip) (Version: 23.01 - Igor Pavlov)
Acronis True Image (HKLM-x32\...\{5B755A36-60DF-40E9-B490-D8A93421D547}) (Version: 24.8.38600 - Acronis) Hidden
Acronis True Image (HKLM-x32\...\{5B755A36-60DF-40E9-B490-D8A93421D547}Visible) (Version: 24.8.38600 - Acronis)
Acronis Universal Boot Media Builder (HKLM-x32\...\{8FAB072E-6028-4BCD-A6CD-D179E4860073}) (Version: 11.5.38938 - Acronis)
AIMP (HKLM-x32\...\AIMP) (Version: 5.11.2429 - Artem Izmaylov)
AIMP3 (HKLM-x32\...\AIMP3) (Version: v3.50.1224 Beta 1, 31.01.2013 - AIMP DevTeam)
Alienware Command Center (HKLM\...\{ACBE8264-9018-49B8-9041-3A74E2596BF3}) (Version: 2.8.9.0 - Alienware Corp.) Hidden
Alienware Command Center (HKLM-x32\...\InstallShield_{ACBE8264-9018-49B8-9041-3A74E2596BF3}) (Version: 2.8.9.0 - Alienware Corp.)
Alienware TactX Keyboard CI 1.00.130 (HKLM\...\{13A3A271-B2AA-486C-9AD5-F272079BB9B5}) (Version: 1.00.130 - Alienware)
Alienware TactX™ Mouse CI 1.00 (HKLM\...\{B0D59FDC-FEAB-49A2-9B5A-E5E0A8F9D7E0}) (Version: 1.00 - Alienware)
Audacity 3.4.2 (HKLM\...\Audacity_is1) (Version: 3.4.2 - Audacity Team)
Avast Premium Security (HKLM\...\Avast Antivirus) (Version: 23.12.6094 - Avast Software)
Beyond Compare 4 (HKLM\...\{F636FCF3-D726-4D3A-8F68-CD4E2CA49343}) (Version: 4.4.6.27483 - Scooter Software, Inc.)
Beyond Compare 4.4.4 (HKLM\...\BeyondCompare4_is1) (Version: 4.4.4.27058 - Scooter Software)
Bonjour (HKLM\...\{6E3610B2-430D-4EB0-81E3-2B57E8B9DE8D}) (Version: 3.0.0.10 - Apple Inc.)
CCleaner (HKLM\...\CCleaner) (Version: 6.21 - Piriform)
Composer - PHP Dependency Manager (HKLM-x32\...\{7315AF68-E777-496A-A6A2-4763A98ED35A}_is1) (Version:  - getcomposer.org)
ConTEXT v0.98.6 (HKLM-x32\...\{73E0D3A0-9C30-4F59-ABBF-6233686FB396}_is1) (Version:  - ConTEXT Project Ltd)
CyberPower PowerPanel Personal 2.1.7 (HKLM-x32\...\5708-0475-1423-7128) (Version: 2.1.7 - CyberPower Systems, Inc.)
Data Lifeguard Diagnostic version 1.36 (HKLM-x32\...\{519C4DB6-B53B-4F5C-8297-89B2BE949FA5}_is1) (Version:  - Western Digital Corporation)
Directory Opus (HKLM\...\{6CFA061F-1A4C-4569-963F-2ACFC60F5CAD}_is1) (Version: 12.33 - GPSoftware)
Diskeeper 16 (HKLM\...\{7B3328EC-7CDD-4F54-8EDE-6317DBA51D03}) (Version: 19.0.1226.64 - Condusiv Technologies)
dr.fone (Version 10.3.1) (HKLM-x32\...\{E8F86DA8-B8E4-42C7-AFD4-EBB692AC43FD}_is1) (Version: 10.3.1.277 - Wondershare Technology Co.,Ltd.)
EPSON Scan (HKLM-x32\...\EPSON Scanner) (Version:  - Seiko Epson Corporation)
Epson Software Updater (HKLM-x32\...\{7CC286A8-EEC5-491F-A4B5-02BD4E656BF6}) (Version: 4.6.2 - Seiko Epson Corporation)
EPSON WorkForce 845 Series Printer Uninstall (HKLM\...\EPSON WorkForce 845 Series) (Version:  - SEIKO EPSON Corporation)
FileZilla 3.66.4 (HKLM-x32\...\FileZilla Client) (Version: 3.66.4 - Tim Kosse)
FreeOCR v5.4 (HKLM-x32\...\freeocr_is1) (Version:  - )
Geeks3D FurMark 1.28.0.0 (HKLM-x32\...\{2397CAD4-2263-4CD0-96BE-E43A980B9C9A}_is1) (Version: 1.28.0.0 - Geeks3D)
GIMP 2.10.36 (HKLM\...\GIMP-2_is1) (Version: 2.10.36 - The GIMP Team)
glogg (HKLM-x32\...\glogg) (Version: v1.1.4-x86_64 - )
Google Chrome (HKLM-x32\...\Google Chrome) (Version: 109.0.5414.120 - Google LLC)
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer (HKLM-x32\...\{18455581-E099-4BA8-BC6B-F34B2F06600C}) (Version: 1.0.0 - Google Inc.) Hidden
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer (HKLM-x32\...\{2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}) (Version: 7.5.8231.2252 - Google Inc.)
ImageMagick 7.0.8-67 Q16 (64-bit) (2019-09-29) (HKLM\...\ImageMagick 7.0.8 Q16 (64-bit)_is1) (Version: 7.0.8 - ImageMagick Studio LLC)
Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (HKLM-x32\...\{3E29EE6C-963A-4aae-86C1-DC237C4A49FC}) (Version: 9.5.6.1001 - Intel Corporation)
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 (HKLM\...\{92FB6C44-E685-45AD-9B20-CADF4CABA132} - 1033) (Version: 4.8.03761 - Microsoft Corporation)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.17 (HKLM\...\{8220EEFE-38CD-377E-8595-13398D740ACE}) (Version: 9.0.30729 - Microsoft Corporation)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.4148 (HKLM\...\{4B6C7001-C7D6-3710-913E-5BC23FCE91E6}) (Version: 9.0.30729.4148 - Microsoft Corporation)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x64 9.0.30729.6161 (HKLM\...\{5FCE6D76-F5DC-37AB-B2B8-22AB8CEDB1D4}) (Version: 9.0.30729.6161 - Microsoft Corporation)
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010  x64 Redistributable - 10.0.40219 (HKLM\...\{1D8E6291-B0D5-35EC-8441-6616F567A0F7}) (Version: 10.0.40219 - Microsoft Corporation)
Mozilla Firefox ESR (x64 en-US) (HKLM\...\Mozilla Firefox 115.8.0 ESR (x64 en-US)) (Version: 115.8.0 - Mozilla)
Mozilla Maintenance Service (HKLM\...\MozillaMaintenanceService) (Version: 68.0.2 - Mozilla)
Notepad++ (64-bit x64) (HKLM\...\Notepad++) (Version: 8.6.2 - Notepad++ Team)
OpenOffice 4.1.15 (HKLM-x32\...\{7A10D0DA-1711-4CB1-8D71-81A6E0149B43}) (Version: 4.115.9813 - Apache Software Foundation)
OpenSSL 3.0.5 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\OpenSSL (64-bit)_is1) (Version:  - OpenSSL Win64 Installer Team)
PuTTY release 0.72 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{8EFBA1C7-A8B8-4FB9-BEC0-6CEC6C7145DE}) (Version: 0.72.0.0 - Simon Tatham)
Quicknote 5.5 (HKLM-x32\...\JC&MB Quicknote_is1) (Version:  - JC&MB)
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver (HKLM-x32\...\{F132AF7F-7BCA-4EDE-8A7C-958108FE7DBC}) (Version: 6.0.1.6039 - Realtek Semiconductor Corp.)
Snagit 11 (HKLM-x32\...\{68723B04-57EC-11E1-A6A8-9E2D4824019B}) (Version: 11.1.0 - TechSmith Corporation)
Snagit 2020 (HKLM\...\{46DF39C3-F6AC-47FA-A1F5-D91ACB82530D}) (Version: 20.1.8 - TechSmith Corporation) Hidden
Snagit 2020 (HKLM-x32\...\{8e06da60-b3fd-48c1-bf2d-d677cc66dfc9}) (Version: 20.1.8.16558 - TechSmith Corporation)
Speccy (HKLM\...\Speccy) (Version: 1.32 - Piriform)
SQLyog 13.1.8 (64 bit) (HKLM\...\SQLyog64) (Version: 13.1.8 (64 bit) - Webyog Inc.)
The Bat! v10.5.2.1 (64-bit) (HKLM\...\{D083349D-CE0B-4B59-98CB-6C2588F554A4}) (Version: 10.5.2.1 - Ritlabs SRL)
Tweaking.com - Windows Repair (HKLM-x32\...\Tweaking.com - Windows Repair) (Version: 4.9.5 - Tweaking.com)
Wampserver32 3.1.4 (HKLM-x32\...\{wampserver32}_is1) (Version: 3.1.4 - Dominique Ottello aka Otomatic)

========================= Devices: ================================

Name: Generic- SD/MMC USB Device
Description: Disk drive
Class Guid: {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives)
Service: disk
Device ID: USBSTOR\DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_SD/MMC&REV_1.00\20060413092100000&2
Problem: : This device is disabled. (Code 22)
Resolution: In Device Manager, click "Action", and then click "Enable Device". This starts the Enable Device wizard. Follow the instructions.

Name: Generic- SM/xD-Picture USB Device
Description: Disk drive
Class Guid: {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives)
Service: disk
Device ID: USBSTOR\DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_SM/XD-PICTURE&REV_1.00\20060413092100000&1
Problem: : This device is disabled. (Code 22)
Resolution: In Device Manager, click "Action", and then click "Enable Device". This starts the Enable Device wizard. Follow the instructions.

Name: EPSON Storage USB Device
Description: Disk drive
Class Guid: {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives)
Service: disk
Device ID: USBSTOR\DISK&VEN_EPSON&PROD_STORAGE&REV_1.00\7&A376B0A&0&504B46593132303642&0
Problem: : This device is disabled. (Code 22)
Resolution: In Device Manager, click "Action", and then click "Enable Device". This starts the Enable Device wizard. Follow the instructions.

Name: Generic- Compact Flash USB Device
Description: Disk drive
Class Guid: {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives)
Service: disk
Device ID: USBSTOR\DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_COMPACT_FLASH&REV_1.00\20060413092100000&0
Problem: : This device is disabled. (Code 22)
Resolution: In Device Manager, click "Action", and then click "Enable Device". This starts the Enable Device wizard. Follow the instructions.

Name: Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller
Description: Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller
Class Guid:
Manufacturer:
Service:
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1033&DEV_0194&SUBSYS_75851462&REV_03\4&246044E2&0&0038
Problem: : The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
Resolution: To install the drivers for this device, click "Update Driver", which starts the Hardware Update wizard.

Name: Generic- MS/MS-Pro/HG USB Device
Description: Disk drive
Class Guid: {4d36e967-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Manufacturer: (Standard disk drives)
Service: disk
Device ID: USBSTOR\DISK&VEN_GENERIC-&PROD_MS/MS-PRO/HG&REV_1.00\20060413092100000&3
Problem: : This device is disabled. (Code 22)
Resolution: In Device Manager, click "Action", and then click "Enable Device". This starts the Enable Device wizard. Follow the instructions.

Name: Serial ATA Controller
Description: Serial ATA Controller
Class Guid:
Manufacturer:
Service:
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1095&DEV_3132&SUBSYS_02F71028&REV_01\4&24931170&0&00E4
Problem: : The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)
Resolution: To install the drivers for this device, click "Update Driver", which starts the Hardware Update wizard.


========================= Memory info: ===================================

Percentage of memory in use: 73%
Total physical RAM: 16384 MB
Available physical RAM: 4269.24 MB
Total Virtual: 40382.14 MB
Available Virtual: 22377.75 MB

========================= Partitions: =====================================

1 Drive c: () (Fixed) (Total:455.99 GB) (Free:197.01 GB) NTFS
3 Drive e: (Storage) (Fixed) (Total:558.91 GB) (Free:209.77 GB) NTFS
4 Drive f: (Media) (Fixed) (Total:465.76 GB) (Free:433.2 GB) NTFS
5 Drive g: (Elements) (Fixed) (Total:7452 GB) (Free:3391.38 GB) NTFS
6 Drive i: (Programing) (Fixed) (Total:558.91 GB) (Free:380.68 GB) NTFS

========================= Users: ========================================

User accounts for \\JACK-PC

Administrator            Guest                    Jack                     


**** End of log ****

 

Thanks for the information.
Intermittent problems can be hard to troubleshoot.
If you're not willing or able to try some basic troubleshooting, like a clean boot, we can only offer limited help.

The most obvious thing to try: uninstall Avast, at least temporarily.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/794869/ftc-accuses-avast-of-selling-users-web-usage-data/

There are several diagnostic utilities available for these situations.
I'm not sure if they're supported on Win 7.
So, I'll defer to others with recent/current hands-on experience with this Windows version.

Cheers

Thanks for trying to help. I understand there's probably not a lot that can done. Uninstalling Avast is another thing I can't do. It would mean running without  it for, possibly, a day and that is too risky.

What is the exact make & model of the mouse?

Perhaps someone still using Windows 7 can offer better advice.

-----
As for uninstalling Avast, I expect you already know that no security suite can provide full protection. The user is the weak link in the security chain. Expert suggestions:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/407147/answers-to-common-security-questions-best-practices/

And Windows 7 has been out of support for many years: it is an obsolete, insecure OS that poses its own significant security risk, especially for online computing. But I expect you know that, too. :-)


Good luck!

Edited to add: "cleaning", "tweaking", "tuneup" & "optimizer" apps like CCleaner & Tweaking.com "Windows Repair" can cause more harm than good. It's hard to know if use of these and/or similar apps may have contributed to your current issue.

Edited by MoxieMomma, 29 February 2024 - 04:50 PM.

All of my programs are up-to-date and have ran fine before this problem started. As mentioned, the problem is somehow related to the Internet. I've turned off auto-update on many of the programs but that hasn't made a difference. If there was a way to know what programs were accessing the Internet at the time of the failure, I would probably be able to trace the problem but I don't know how to identify those.

Can you please tell us the exact make & model of the mouse?

Again, a clean boot would help to exclude a software issue.

Edit: likely culprits = Avast, Acronis, Epson printer

Also: according to Speccy, your mouse driver is from 2006. It might be worth checking for a newer driver?

And, as mentioned earlier, there are some diagnostic utilities that could be helpful.
But we'll need to wait for someone who still works with Windows 7 to weigh in.

Good luck

Edited by MoxieMomma, 29 February 2024 - 10:54 PM.

Jack, although it may be a red herring, your Speccy report mentions the Alienware TactX Mouse. Is that the mouse you're currently using or are you now using a wireless mouse? If you are, then is it an RF (the one that comes with a USB dongle) or Bluetooth mouse?

The mouse is a Logitech Performance MX using a dongle.

You have a rather power hungry video card, five storage devices hooked up + are using the problematic High Performance Power Plan,

 

What is the brand and model name or number of the PSU and how old is it,

 

Observation from Speccy;

 

 

 

Edit to correct external link.

Edited by PhillPower2, 05 March 2024 - 12:15 PM.

Edit to add: Replace Avast with Avira, apart from it foisting junk on you Avast has been found to be liberal with users information as well

Your opinions about Avast and Avira must have been formed years ago. Did you know that both are owned by Gen Digital now?

https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/family-of-brands/

Or that Avast stopped selling browser information in 2020?

https://blog.avast.com/a-message-from-avast

Or that Avira ended support for Windows 7 at the end of 2021?

https://www.avira.com/en/support-product-lifecycle

The OP has not asked for antivirus advice anyway.

The mouse is a Logitech Performance MX using a dongle.

RF mice like yours operate on the same frequency as WiFi so it's possible that your router is creating interference that's affecting your mouse. It's unlikely though because the technologies are different -  but possible.

 

You mentioned that when your Internet went down recently your mouse started working normally for the duration of the outage so perhaps the lack of WiFi traffic was responsible for this. The next time your mouse plays up, as a test, turn off your router's WiFi. If it doesn't have a physical switch then you can use the router's admin control panel.

 

Also, if the USB dongle is at the back of your PC and shielded by the PC's case then move it to one of the front USB ports instead.

 

Edit to add: Replace Avast with Avira, apart from it foisting junk on you Avast has been found to be liberal with users information as well

Your opinions about Avast and Avira must have been formed years ago. Did you know that both are owned by Gen Digital now?

https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/family-of-brands/

Or that Avast stopped selling browser information in 2020?

https://blog.avast.com/a-message-from-avast

Or that Avira ended support for Windows 7 at the end of 2021?

https://www.avira.com/en/support-product-lifecycle

The OP has not asked for antivirus advice anyway.

 

 

 

Wasn't aware as to who now owns Avast and in all honesty it is Irrelevant as to when it happened, Avast was a great AV for years and that behaviour lost Avast a lot of both users and respect, the crap that it foists on the unsuspecting is wrong and the program can be nightmare to get rid of.

 

Avira was a clanger on my behalf and I have since corrected my mistake,

 

The member may not have asked about anything AV related but something is using up most of their RAM and the OP having both Avast and even the most basic Windows 7 Defender could be conflicting + all the memory getting used up would interfere with all hardware behaviour.

 

Edit to add: Replace Avast with Avira, apart from it foisting junk on you Avast has been found to be liberal with users information as well

Your opinions about Avast and Avira must have been formed years ago. Did you know that both are owned by Gen Digital now?

https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/family-of-brands/

Or that Avast stopped selling browser information in 2020?

https://blog.avast.com/a-message-from-avast

Or that Avira ended support for Windows 7 at the end of 2021?

https://www.avira.com/en/support-product-lifecycle

The OP has not asked for antivirus advice anyway.
 

 
 
Wasn't aware as to who now owns Avast and in all honesty it is Irrelevant as to when it happened, Avast was a great AV for years and that behaviour lost Avast a lot of both users and respect, the crap that it foists on the unsuspecting is wrong and the program can be nightmare to get rid of.
 
Avira was a clanger on my behalf and I have since corrected my mistake,
 
The member may not have asked about anything AV related but something is using up most of their RAM and the OP having both Avast and even the most basic Windows 7 Defender could be conflicting + all the memory getting used up would interfere with all hardware behaviour.

I agree that completely removing Avast can be a nightmare, so we should not be so quick to suggest a nightmarish course of action that may or may not solve intermittent mouse movement hangs. I was rather amused to see that your amended recommendation is to replace Avast with AVG!? I guess you were not aware that Avast bought AVG in 2016, and in fact AVG uses Avasts engine!

https://support.avg.com/answers?id=9060N000000TsFrQAK

If intermittent mouse movement hangs are being caused by the Avast engine (which I doubt), then replacing with AVG does not sound like a promising solution. My unsolicited antivirus advice would be Microsoft Security Essentials. I have no idea why Microsoft is still providing security intelligence (definition and engine) updates for MSE in 2024, but they are:

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=Microsoft%20security%20essentials

Installing Avast should have disabled the old Windows Defender antispyware, but clever users sometimes manage to turn Defender back on. If he wants to keep Avast, I would urge the OP to keep Defender disabled to avoid any conflicts.