Cursor has dotted box next to it! Please help.

[NoNopeNot]

I've searched everywhere and cannot find a solution.

Biggest issue is that it relocates the point of click to some weird location in between.
Yes, I've tried everything, I think, in System Prefs.
See image below.



Would appreciate the help

 

[chscag]

You didn't mention which version of OS X you're using, however, go into system preferences and open up the Accessibility Options and make sure you haven't accidentally changed anything.

And welcome to our forums.

 

[NoNopeNot]

You didn't mention which version of OS X you're using, however, go into system preferences and open up the Accessibility Options and make sure you haven't accidentally changed anything.

And welcome to our forums.

El Cap 10.11.5. MacBook Pro i7
I've tried all the accessibility options. As well as the direction in another post. No go.
Other ideas?

 

[MacInWin]

Does the shape survive reboots? Cold starts? I have seen that shape before for something, but I cannot remember. Still looking.

 

[Slydude]

I don't know what this is but a couple of questions occur to me:

1. Does this cursor appear if you log into a different user account?
2. What, if anything, do you have listed in the login items for your user account?

 

[NoNopeNot]

Does the shape survive reboots? Cold starts? I have seen that shape before for something, but I cannot remember. Still looking.

Yes. I tried it after readjusting the accessibility system preferences.

I've been on Mac's since '86. I'm certainly not an IT guy, but this is a stumper.

Bummer that there's no longer preferences to trash like the old days of issues. Or is there? (Yes, I'm certain the benefits far outweigh this lil bit o grief."

Maybe using a certain app activates it. I'll try that too.

 

[NoNopeNot]

i'll try another user after the app test. thx.

mcxmenuext
ituneshelper
google
stickies
google drive
adoberesourcesynchonizer
microsoftlync
dropbox
wunderlist
caffeine
microsoft office reminders
slack
LoginMgr

 

[Slydude]

Yes there are preferences that can be deleted. They are hidden in the last few versions of OS X but not that hard to access. Without knowing what is triggering the box you could easily delete several things before finding the right one. That's why I asked if it happened while you were logged into another account. That's also the reason I asked about login items for that account.

 

[NoNopeNot]

Hmmm. I'm thinking it might be Acrobat.
How can I trash the prefs?

 

[Slydude]

Make sure you are in the Finder and not some other app. Then do the following:
1. Press Command Shift G simultaneously.
2. In the dialog sheet that appears type ~/Library
3. Open the Preferences folder and navigate the preference that you want to trash.

I'd suggest moving the preference file out of the folder and move it somewhere like the desktop rather than deleting it. The log out and log of your account and log back in. If the problem goes away you can trash the preference file you put on the desktop. If it doesn't fix the problem you can put it back in the Preferences folder.

 

[NoNopeNot]

Preferences trashing provided no relief.
But at least I know the source.