Mouse moves like crap

[snowdog]

I'm using Mandrake 9.0 and a generic optical wheel mouse. The problem is, my mouse sticks. Choppy movement, bounces around, etc. I've tried different coloured mouse pads, tweaked the settings in the KDE preferences panel, and no luck. The mouse moves fast enough, but not smoothly. The best luck I've had so far is the settings I have with a yellow file folder (not a computer folder, a real one) for a mouse pad, and it still sticks. I've even tried white paper, no luck. Like I said it's a generic (Micro Innovations, and I'm believing the micro part) optical mouse. I've had this same prob with RedHat, Mandrake 8.1, 8.2, etc. Suggestions?

[Piix4]

Perhaps you have a process like gpm running.

If this is so, open a root terminal and type killall gpm.
If this improves your mouse movement then don't run gpm on boot.

[snowdog]

Hey piix! That tip made a noticeable difference. The mouse is still a little sticky, but it is better now. Thanks!