Unable to adjust Mouse speed and see Track bar on iMac 2017

Question

Level 1

4 points

Unable to adjust Mouse speed and see Track bar on iMac 2017

Running latest Ventura OS 2017 with 27"screen

When I got the iMac from my dad, we reset the OS.

I plugged in a PC keyboard and PC gaming mouse, which worked, but the mouse was super slow to move, horribly so.

Went into mouse settings to adjust speed and I did speed to max and it sped up but strangely the trackbar completely vanished. So thinking something with PC mouse, I bought a Bluetooth mouse and set it up. Still no trackbar appears to change the speed. How do I fix this? More info, with PC mouse plugged in Bluetooth mouse is way too fast. Unplug PC mouse and Bluetooth mouse is way to slow.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 14, 2025 8:49 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

211,231 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:35 AM in response to sdowney717

Give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Have you contacted the manufacturer of the mouse to see if it needs a driver to operator with a Mac?

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Answer 2

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:16 AM in response to sdowney717

screen pic showing no slider. Tried 5 different mice, wire, bluetooth, 2.4ghz, no setting available for speed

Other than that all the mice work.

I found a mac os app called better mouse. It does control the mouse speed, which tells me Mac Os must be defective.

That program costs $7.99

Any ideas?

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

83,722 points

Jan 14, 2025 12:02 PM in response to sdowney717

Actually it looks like Display Contrast is making the gray scale on the screen hard to see.

In the old account, go to Apple > System Settings > Accessibility > Display and

1) make sure that "Increase contrast" switch is Off

2) make sure the the Display Contrast: slider is set to normal

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Answer 4

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:11 AM in response to sdowney717

I just tried to do a reset of the OS, like start over and it says erase Assistant is not supported on this mac!

We bought this from Apple in 2018 and it has the 5K retina display, it is definitely an Apple product.

I have no idea what to do.

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Answer 5

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:53 AM in response to Old Toad

The mouse works as in it pushes the mouse cursor on screen and buttons click, is that working?

I have no trackbar slider bar to change the speed. only thing I have noticed

I just tried remapping the alt key (is it option key) and when I hold alt + R down it boots to a strange screen with no mouse control showing macintoshHD. Hit enter and it boots me into the os. It's giving me grief. I setup an apple ID and can log in on the Imac, thought that might be an issue, but no.

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Answer 6

Old Toad

Level 10

211,231 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:03 AM in response to sdowney717

That's not how you boot into Safe Mode with an Intel Mac. If the keyboard is a wired keyboard hold down the Shift key and then boot the iMac. Keep holding down the Shift key until you get to the login window.

If you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

HOLD DOWN THE SHIFT KEY DURING BOOT.

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

211,231 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:12 AM in response to sdowney717

Apparently the mouse is not fully compatible with the system. You can get an inexpensive wired mouse at any electronics store and use it. Of if you want a B/T wireless mouse get a Magic Mouse from Apple. They do work.

Have you installed and run any "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus or VPN apps on your Mac?

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Answer 8

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:55 AM in response to sdowney717

I plugged in another wired mouse, no trackbar slider

I plugged in a wireless 2.4ghz mouse no trackbar slider

I will take pic showing there is no trackbar slider

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Answer 9

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:22 AM in response to sdowney717

Is there a way to do a system file check?

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Answer 10

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:57 AM in response to Old Toad

I just tried the hold down power button. Held it down the whole time. It still loads the login screen, like a normal start.

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Answer 11

sdowney717 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:03 AM in response to sdowney717

ok since it uses intel chip. held down the shift key saw the red letters safe mode upper right. Logged in. Went to mouse settings, there is no trackber slidder for the mouse speed.

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