Problems with an optical mouse

I have been using an optical mouse for the last four weeks and have noticed that the cursor has acquired the bad habit of jumping to any given corner of the monitor. This is a ) annoying, b ) bothersome and c ) can lead to me closing a program that I still need because the unmentionable cursor jumped to the x just as I was clicking.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? Any practical solutions?
Thanks.

just rub it with your finger, under, you know, the light...it worked for me.

and if that doesn't work, check the battery and try the mouse on a different surface - very shiny ones can cause problems.

I had the same problem. Switched my mouse pad from a slick shiny one to a matte black one and haven't had trouble since.

get a solid color mouse pad, no patterns, no wood. The wood pattern on your desk can make it jump too.

Yep! My black shiny table stops the cursor entirely.

Thanks for the input. Thing is, we have to use our company's mousepads mentioning some award or other ...

Turn it upside down, then!

1. Clean mouse Optics
2. Change Battery.
3. Get new mouse pad (Screw the Company your productivity is being affected) and there are special pads you can use for Optical/laser mice.
4. Get new mouse

laser mice shouldn't don't have problems with patterned mousepads. Better than optical mice. But a company insisting on a particular mousepad is a stupid company. Leave the company.

1. Set light to the company on the way out!
2. Get a laser mouse and laser the bosses head off!

If you turn the mouse mat upside down, and it works ok, then that is the best compromise! As anyone who can read upside down writing will still be able to read about the award!