Losing mouse-pointer

[dougmack]

I basically don't ever shut off the machine, unless forced to. Sometimes, after
bringing the machine up out of sleep mode, the mouse-pointer is gone. 
You can get to a command input via ALT-F2, and there must
be a command that initializes the mouse pointer.  What is it?  (Otherwise, the
only cure I know is to shut down and reboot from cold start.) PCLOS 2010.
The mouse is a Kensington usb trackball.

If there is a _particular_ update that fixes this, I will try it, but please do not
suggest I upgrade the whole system or install 2010.07 from scratch.  I have
had far too much grief along that highway already, and I will not do it again.
The system basically works, and I would like to be able to use it, not mess
around trying to get it back running. If I ever install a later version from
scratch, it will be on a new machine. Meanwhile, the problem is livable,
especially if I can run a "fix" command.

(This is not the machine that I could not upgrade--that's a different animal
that I await assistance on.)

Thanx--doug 

[djohnston]

I'm using a USB Kensington trackball, too. I don't turn my machine off, but I don't use sleep mode, either.

This may be hardware-related, rather than software. Windows users also have the same problem after coming out of sleep mode. As an example, see:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprohardware/thread/985b2f3d-cd9d-4633-9814-4d1c5f3458ed

I did an internet search, but almost all the issues were with Windows. Is the trackball plugged directly into your computer, or through a hub? If it's through a hub, try one of the USB ports directly. See:
http://www.computing.net/answers/hardware/mouse-not-work-after-standby-mode/56432.html

I know that's not much consolation.