Mouse cursor keeps vanishing

My mouse cursor keeps disappearing and I can't see it. It is there and if I move it to the right spot I can see that it highlights the icon or what ever it is on. I hit the control button to get the circle to show me where it is but it is still invisible on no specific program at all. I have to restart the computer for it to come back on. It has been happening more frequently lately but it does not seem to follow any pattern. Does anyone have any idea what is causing this?

Can you give a brief description of your computer, with operating system...
You might benefit from a repair install, if WXP

It is a Dell computer with W7 install. It is a pretty basic computer. Dual core AMD cpu.

Can you try another mouse, as a test... Some of the lower cost usb mouse and wireless mouse have been difficult at keeping the image on the screen for some unknown reason.

Does un/replugging the mouse restore its cursor (or restart is the only solution)? Have you tried reinstalling its driver?

Does it only dissapier when you type? If so you have the setting turned on. If you go into control panel and mouse you can disable it.