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Finding your mouse pointer in Gnome

How to find your pointer on the screen

Gnome versions before 2.1:

  1. Click on the ' Applications ' menu and then click on ' Preferences ' or press ' Alt ' + ' F1' and then use the ' down ' arrow key to highlight ' Preferences ' .
  2. Click on ' Mouse ' or press the ' right' arrow to expand the preferences sub menu, then press the ' down ' arrow until ' Mouse' is selected and then press ' Enter '.
  3. Click on the ' Cursors' tab or press the ' Tab' key until the ' Buttons' heading is highlighted and then use the 'right arrow' to go to the ' Cursors' options.
  4. Click the checkbox next to ' Highlight the pointer when you press Ctrl' under the ' Locate Pointer ' heading or press ' Alt ' + ' P ' as shown in Fig 1.
  5. Click the ' Close ' button or Press ' Alt ' + ' C ' return to the Gnome desktop.
  6. You will need to log out for the changes to take effect. Next time you log-in an animated square will appear around the mouse pointer every time you press the ' Ctrl ' key.

Mouse preferences dialog. box
Fig 1

For Gnome versions 2.1 or newer

  1. Click on the ' System' menu and then click on ' Preferences ' or press ' Alt ' + ' F1' to access the application menu and then press the ' right ' arrow until ' System' menu is highlighted and then press the ' down ' arrow until ' Preferences ' is highlighted.
  2. Click on ' Mouse ' or press the ' right' arrow to expand the preferences sub menu, then press the ' down ' arrow until ' Mouse' is selected and then press ' Enter '..
  3. Click on the ' Cursors' tab or press the ' Tab' key until the ' Buttons' heading is highlighted and then use the 'right arrow' to go to the 'Cursors' options.
  4. Click the checkbox next to ' Highlight the pointer when you press Ctrl' under the ' Locate Pointer ' heading or press ' Alt ' + ' P ' as shown in Fig 1.
  5. Click the ' Close ' button or press ' Alt ' + ' C ' to return to the Gnome desktop.
  6. You will need to log out for the changes to take effect. Next time you log-in an animated square will appear around the mouse pointer every time you press the 'Ctrl' key.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

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