Arrows keep firing automatically

[ParanoidAndroid]

Sometimes when I use a bow the arrows keep shooting automatically. This happens when I load an arrow onto the bow, aim and suddenly the arrow is released, while I still have the mouse button pressed down. After that it keeps firing arrows, just like if I were repeatedly clicking my left mouse button. It doesn't always happen, just randomly. My mouse seems fine, no problems in other games (it is wireless btw).

This happens on PC with a few graphical mods and using the unofficial patches. Anybody got an idea?

[The-Shadow-One]

is the why the arrows go like when you release them do they go in a straight arc or do they flop?

[Harald_Drake-Eyes]

Obviously you have found/made a automatic bow. The Dwemer would love you.

[ParanoidAndroid]

is the why the arrows go like when you release them do they go in a straight arc or do they flop?

They fly a few meters before hitting the ground, so no instant drop.

[kgnmike88]

it might be a backlog i sometimes do it myself on the xbox, i press and hold but it fires off one then i release to notch again but it thinks my realise means notch and fire another one

[BlackDrake]

I had this problem before, and i BELIEVE its to do with one of the unofficial patches....dont ask which one but I got so annoyed with it (since i was an archer/assassin) I reinstalled and the problem went away.

If I figure out which one, I'll post it.

[H8Ball]

Try a wired mouse instead of wireless. Sometimes wireless mice suffer from brief signal dropouts, enough to make an application "think" no buttons are down if it happens to read the mouse state during a dropout. There are only two states for a button, 1=down (pressed) or 0=up (released). It's a simple boolean state, NOT down (pressed) means up (released), so the arrow will be fired. It's the same principle as drag-and-drop... button down (press), move the mouse (drag), then button up (release). With Oblivion, it's down (nock arrow), move (draw bowstring and aim), up (release the arrow). If you're having problems with drag-and-drop releasing at random, it'll be due to dropouts.

I always use a wired keyboard and mouse, as I don't see the point of wireless when the cable run length to my PC is only 4ft and the wires reach easily. Wired guarantees the signal will NEVER suffer from dropouts due to signal interference (because the cable is shielded). Wireless is a gimmick. No untidy cables? Yeah, at the cost of a potential dirty signal. I prefer a guaranteed clean signal, thank you.

I tried a wireless mouse once but hated those "mouse freezes for a split second" moments when I couldn't rotate in fast action games and kept getting killed. I took it back to the shop, complained that it wasn't working properly and exchanged it for the wired version which worked perfectly.

If mouse movement and other buttons are OK, it could be the left button microswitch is going faulty. Very common if you have a tendency to "bang" that button in fast-paced action games. Microswitches are somewhat delicate and can't stand up to too much punishment. The internal switch contacts are easily bent or broken, leading to intermittent contact, especially on cheap mice which use poor quality microswitches. Even on the best quality mice, the microswitches eventually wear out and the left button goes first because it's the most frequently used.

No point in trying to clean or repair microswitches as they're sealed units. It's cheaper to simply buy a new mouse. I'm currently using a Trust Easyclick 5-button wired USB laser mouse (Product ID 16535). Trust are a well-respected manufacturer who produce good quality products. At £5, the mouse was SO cheap that I bought a SECOND one at the same time as a spare. So my NEXT mouse is still in the box!

Btw, I use button 1 (left) for Attack, button 2 (right) for Block, button 3 (middle/wheel) for Cast, button 4 (left-side-rear) for Grab and button 5 (left-side-front) for Sheathe Weapon. You can also buy a 7-button mouse, where the 6th and 7th buttons are built into the wheel (push it left or right). I think I might try one, since they'd be handy for Next/Previous inventory item in many games.

Hope this helps.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Thanks for all the tips, I will buy a wired mouse and see if the problem persists

[perylousdemon]

I've been using a wireless mouse and keyboard for a good while now, and I've never had any problems like this aside from when my battery is getting low. Have you tried changing the battery?

[Achilleus]

Maybe you could try and restart the game? Or you could completely make your computer forget your mouse then plug it in again.

If those don't work, just do H8BALLS intstructions, I'm sure they will work.