Bit of a strange one, this...

[fafster]

We have a number of desks on which our optical mouses have trouble tracking. It's strange, as other parts of the same desk don't have this issue. It's almost as if they've been rubbed smooth over the years and are now too reflective.

I've tried some sandpaper but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Mousemats are definitely out of the question.

Any ideas?

[LosOjos]

Matte Paint? Don't really know how else you could get round it any other way...
I suppose if you wanted to make it look nicer you could make a mouse mat shaped template and spray matte paint on to all the desks in the same place...

[wesleyw]

What type of texture is on the desk surface?

[wesleyw]

I suppose you could try drawing a some faint vertical and horizontal lines on the desk where the mouse is used?

[tech_guy]

Have you tried cleaning the lens cover over the sensor on the mice?

[fafster]

I've still got the mouse-pad painting as an option.

There isn't any texture, but it must have some grain in it on other areas of the desk.

I think I'd take the drawing lines a bit further, and maybe cut marks into it. Though they're likely to hold dirt.

The mice are brand new out of the box.

[CraigM]

We have this problem too, it varies on mouse model and desk location. We have found that a sheet of blue paper usually does the trick, but it's not a true long term solution. Seems to affect cheaper mice more than Microsoft and other quality mice.

[tech_guy]

We once had it in a room where bright direct sunlight was falling on a desk and the mouse didn't like it.

[fafster]

It definitely affects some mice more than others. The mice we're currently using are the funky-shaped Acer models. We'd still have the same issue with MS and Logitech mice, though not to the same degree.

[john]

Stick on squares of Fablon. You are right though its an over the years problem, the texture has worn off the surface and its become highly polished.

[fafster]

I think that the Fablon idea is the one we'll most likely go with. Any idea where I could pick the stuff up?

[witch]

Sticky-backed plastic, to give it its generic name, can be bought from hobby shops like Hobbycraft or the Range, as well as some good stationers. Some wallpaper shops and haberdashers sell it too. You can get it on-line in a range of colours or mock wood effects!

[rad]

Sticky-backed plastic, to give it its generic name, can be bought from hobby shops like Hobbycraft or the Range, as well as some good stationers. Some wallpaper shops and haberdashers sell it too. You can get it on-line in a range of colours or mock wood effects!

sounds like Blue Peter stylie.
The only downside is the kids like to pick at things, and this will turn messy and then be sticky underneath once removed.

[fafster]

On the other hand, it's cheap enough to replace.

[witch]

We have got mouse mats for some of our optical mice because of this problem. We managed to get some very very solid, textured ones and the children have not managed to tear or spoil any of them yet