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Hi, I've got kind of an odd problem. I've searched all over the interwebs, but I can't find anything on it.

When I try to play skyrim via Steam, no cursor is visible. There is some mouse input, as I can use the mouse to change my point of view, or what I'm looking at. However, no cursor is visible. Menus can be scrolled through using the keyboard, but except for the opening screen, I cannot make a menu selection using the Enter key.

The display itself, sound, and animation works very well otherwise. Steam otherwise works fine. (And just to make it clear, I'm not trying to run Skyrim on the native Linux Steam client, I'm using PlayOnLinux).

Details:
Hardware: System76 Pangolin I5 8GB Intel graphics
Ubuntu 12.10 (I get the same result with both Unity and Gnome Shell)
PlayOnLinux: 4.1.9
Wine: 1.5.23

Any and all suggestions welcomed! Thanks!

Did you ever come up with a resolution to this Tor?  I'm having the same exact problem, I'm on a System 76 box as well.  Somewhat frustrating since the rest of the game is running flawlessly (although amazing Wine/Play on Linux can get this to work at all!).

First, try updating your version of PlayOnLinux.
I'm shocked Skyrim runs on an Intel GPU, impressive!

Since two of you are having the same problem, maybe I'll try installing Skyrim this weekend and see what happen....

You can easily download different versions of Wine with PlayOnLinux Tools menu.
Try different versions of Wine and see if you get the same symptoms.

booman, have you got any more info?

Personally I was able to solve this issue. I was never sure of the underlying cause, the two biggest candidates were the Mesa graphic libraries, and possibly having an external mouse plugged in during Skyrim install, which was somehow detected as a gamepad.

I suggest:

- upgrade to Ubuntu 13.04 (to be really sure do complete re-install)
- completely delete PlayOnLinux, Steam container, Skyrim etc
- unplug ALL USB periphreals
- reinstall with latest POL, Steam, Skyrim
- using Medium settings

After doing all of that, I was able to play fine. Some frame-skipping/lagging in various areas, but overall quite playable (60+ hours worth!).

Nope, I didn't install Skyrim yet... too busy testing STALKER Call of Pripyat and Crysis 2.
Thanks for the reminder, I'll try it in the morning.

ok, so have been fiddling with the settings and managed to get the mouse and bethesda logo to appear for about a second, then they disappear again. so confused as to why this is happening, because there are no errors in the debugger log.

Dude I am on this... I spent an hour-n-half this morning trying to install to no end.
I will be playing with it tomorrow morning too.

sorry booman, i didn't intend to cause you grief, i was only trying to post my "success" to help others. don't panic about rushing to get it sorted.

Honestly give upgrading the Mesa drivers a shot if you can. If you're on Ubuntu check out the following

http://askubuntu.com/questions/87104/how-do-i-install-the-lastest-mesa-driver-in-11-10

sorry booman, i didn't intend to cause you grief, i was only trying to post my "success" to help others. don't panic about rushing to get it sorted.

Edited by booman

Hey Booman, the original post talks about System76 Pangolin I5 8GB Intel graphics. I think the integrated Intel graphics is the key difference here, it has/had relatively poor driver support for Linux until recently. At least in my case that solved it.

I see, good point. The fact that it actually runs is pretty cool, but we are at the mercy of Intel to give Linux good drivers to support all these fancy Wine features.

I'm guessing tobywanbj is using a laptop. If this is the case, upgrading the video is not an option.
Gaming on Linux is going to require a Desktop and modern video card to get the best results.

yeah booman, using a laptop. Was sort of assuming that was the case, posted here more out of hope than expectation.

Sorry man, I wish there was a better way... I'm really loving the graphics on my desktop.
If you are a serious gamer like me, its time to get a desktop.

problem is i'm a serious gamer on a very tight budget :P not enough to buy a new pc. although hoping to sort out one as a present from my dad :P :P

Edited by tobywanbj

I know the feeling. I have several gaming machines that I have slowly upgraded for the last 6 years.
Just take your time researching the parts you need and slowly find a way to finance them.
With Linux, you can easily build a budget gaming machine for $500
But if you don't have that much, then trading and scavenging parts can work too.
Cases, DVD ROMs, CPU's and Memory is pretty easy to get ahold of...
But a decent mother board, video card and power supply is where the most attention should be given to.