If you are having problems in games, the XP interface, etc., try this fix.

1. Open the CONTROL PANEL
2. If using common tasks open PRINTERS AND OTHER HARDWARE, then MOUSE.
If using classic view open MOUSE.
3. click on the POINTER OPTIONS tab and !uncheck! the following: ENHANCE POINTER PRECISION and SHOW LOCATION OF POINTER WHEN I PRESS THE CTRL KEY.

The ENHANCE POINTER PRECISION function applies an acceleration curve to the mouse. This is found in Windows 2000 as well.

Another area to check:
1.click on the HARDWARE tab and click PROPERTIES
2.In the new box click the ADVANCED SETTINGS tab.
3.Set SAMPLE RATE to the higest number. (this is how many times per second windows checks the position of the mouse. This means higher number = more response.)
4. increase INPUT BUFFER LENGTH to the highest number. (this is windows "buffer" or temporary storage for data from the mouse)
5. if you !do not! have a wheel on your mouse. under WHEEL DETECTION select DETECTION DISABLED. (this will free up resources for windows)

Good Luck!