Question: My mouse pointer became invisible after some updates after I upgraded to 15.04 from 14.10. 
In all standard settings the mouse pointer is activated (system settings, dconf...)
I also tried different cursor icons with no success.

The pointer is sometimes visible after I shut down and reboot the system. But only sometimes and I couldn't figure out a patterns why it sometimes shows up.

I found the following solution which did not work

```
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.cursor active false

```

Any help appreciated! thanks!

Answer: 
I have the same problem after upgrading to 15.04 from 14.10. Sometimes the mouse pointer will appear, this happens approx 1 in 5 computer switch on times. I found a way to get round this as suggested above.

(note: this will hard-kill any running processes).

`sudo service lightdm restart`

This does have to be issued after every start up . Does anybody know of a more long-term fix?

I have now found a long-term fix. Switch to gdm instead.

`sudo apt-get install gdm`

after trying several reboots this fix seems to work every time.

I don't know if `lightdm` gives any advantages over `gdm`, but to me seeing the cursor is a big advantage of GDM over lightdm.
Issuing the following command will restart compiz (the window manager and decorator), without loosing your desktop and loging out (like restarting lightdm would):

```
sudo killall -i -HUP compiz

```

That brought my cursor back when it disappeared, while keeping all my windows and my currently working programs.