New Mac users forum: How to stop black options box appearing when mouse points?

You're right, the left click was acting like a right click. But I think you've indirectly helped me sort it out, so thanks!

I went back to systems preferences to re-check the settings and noticed that Microsoft Intelimouse preferences wouldn't open...it only gave an option to delete the preferences. So I did that and reinstalled, but had the same problem...I couldn't access the preferences.

I then checked the Keyboard preferences. I recently started using a Logitech K750 keyboard but found in Keyboard>Modifier Keys that Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop was selected. I chose the alternative "USB Receiver" instead and the problem went away.

It's been an intermittent problem (just like the intermittent power loss problem on my Peugeot 306!) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't reappear. If it does you'll be the first to know!

Thanks again.

Spoke to soon. The somewhat illogical solution I tried before stopped working as soon as I sent the message!

So despite changing the settings I still have a mouse (in fact two Microsoft mice) that behave the same on left & right clicking.

Maybe it's time to try an Apple mouse.

Incidentally, it looks as if someone else has had similar problems:

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/switcher-hangout/216384-way-prevent-left-click-bringing-up-context-menu.html

Click Faster!

The click and hold is a function of the dock and cannot be altered.

P

If you actually have OS X 10.6.x, put your mouse pointer over the Mail icon in the dock and click and hold the LEFT mouse button.
See the options?

Wanna check your keyboard to see if the "control key is a bit stuck"

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When you click and hold the LEFT mouse button and CONTROL button on your keyboard, you get contextual menus; which is why I was suggesting about the keyboard. Try all options no matter how 'irrelevant!'

Predictably, the problem was caused by human error, not OSX.

The clue was in "I recently started using a Logitech K750 keyboard". I thought I could get away with continuing to use the old mouse, so I didn't disconnect the Microsoft wireless optical desktop receiver. Consequently there was a conflict between it and the keyboard's unifying receiver. Fortunately I have a spare USB mouse and discovered that disconnecting the Microsoft receiver solved the problem. I've now ordered a Logitech unifying receiver compatible mouse

Thanks for nudging me to work this out, all comments have been very helpful.

over an icon in the dock, press and hold the left mouse button, you do NOT get the contextual menu's?


P

I did not mention the Control key.

Try it with just the Left mouse button and NO modifier keys


P

...Keep in Dock, Open at Login, Show in finder -all in a little black box. You get that with ALL the opened Dock icons plus Expose' for THAT open Application you left click-&-hold on.

Now try it with a closed icon, preferably Mail. (it actually produces the same result, open or closed)

If you don't get:

In Box (xxxx Messages)
Get Mail
Compose New Message
Compose New Note
Options
Show All Windows
Hide
Quit

Then you are either not doing what you say you are or you do not have 10.6.8

A Left Click and Hold gives the same result as a Right Click with an icon on the Dock.

P

...Remove from Dock, Open at Login, Show in Finder or Open -for closed Dock icons... Take a look at this tutorial video from Apple; specifically 0:38:

http://support.apple.com/kb/VI22?viewlocale=en_US

I'm Using OSX 10.6.8 using either the Apple bluetooth mouse or the R.A.T.7 Contagion mouse, both doing a Left-Click-&-Hold with no keyboard assisting.

This is what I get.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8777887@N02/7640040616/

P

...but I've tried everything on my iMac and I cannot replicate that using the Left mouse buttons -unless I use Control or a Mighty Mouse. I took out my old Mighty Mouse (of which you can make both buttons secondary). Are you using an Apple keyboard?

This from an earlier post


http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/switcher-hangout/216384-way-prevent-left-click-bringing-up-context-menu.html

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Logitech unifying receiver compatible M510 mouse has arrived and is working perfectly with the Logitech K750 keyboard. Problem solved.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

...No Problem.