Cannot select entities and then use commands such as copy, paste etc

Hi

I cannot select anything and then use any commands such as copy, paste, mirror, trim or extend. I have tried altering the settings such as Entity Snaps, Entity Selection and Mouse Options  and also tried selecting entities before command to no avail. I have also tried using the Quick Modify command

Sometimes if I click enough times,eventually, I can get the command to work and then it stops again. The mouse is plugged in so it can't be the battery!

Any ideas? Thanks