The mouse does does point to the correct spot on the screen

robert712,
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To change how the mouse pointer works
 1.  Open Mouse by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware, and then clicking Mouse.
 
2.  Click the Pointer Options tab, and then do any of the following:

• To change the speed at which the mouse pointer moves, move the Select a pointer speed slider towards Slow or Fast.
 
• To make the pointer work more accurately when you're moving the mouse slowly, select the Enhance pointer precision check box.
 
• To speed the process of selecting a choice when a dialog box appears, select the Automatically move pointer to the default button in a dialog box check box .
 
• To make the pointer easier to find when you move it, select the Display pointer trails check box, and then move the slider towards Short or Long to decrease or increase the length of the pointer trail.
 
• To ensure that the pointer doesn't block your view of the text you're typing, select the Hide pointer while typing check box.
 
• To find a misplaced pointer by pressing the CTRL key, select the Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key check box.
 
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/efd700f8-bbc0-4f04-9f78-3bdb4bbf47011033.mspx#EKD

Let us know if you need more help.
Thank you,

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Gloria
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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Hi

I'm having exactly the same problem.  As far as I can tell changing the settings does not help.  I've set my mouse scheme to NONE (which I was told would help) and have changed my screen resolution too (apparently that might help) but nothing works.  The mouse pointer just isn't where the screen tells you it is.

I asked Dell to help but they told me I would have to pay them!  This problem has existed since I bought the PC.  I'm running Vista too.  I've swapped the mouse but that didn't help.  I'm sure it's a Vista thing.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

I also am having this problem using all the same components and operating system. The problem is sporadic and is particularly noticeable and bothersome when using Excel and ArcMap. Are there any solutions?
B

Gloria,

These suggestions are nothing more than a walk-through of the dialog box options and are not helpful at all. I am having the exact same problem as the other two people (except that my pointer has to be above and to the left of the target). The OS is Vista Home Premium (all service packs installed) on a Dell XPS  computer. I am using the MS Wheel Mouse Optical with the most current driver and have tried other mice but the problem is the same. The problem is sporadic--it does not seem to occur when using Word (or perhaps is not noticeable), but is particularly bothersome when using Excel or ArcGIS. Dell offers no help with this. Hopefully you can.