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Middle Trackpoint Button for Scrolling - How?

Discussion in 'Dell Latitude, Vostro, and Precision' started by maxh, Mar 23, 2012.

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  1. maxh

    maxh Notebook Consultant

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    I used to use the middle trackpoint for scrolling. I'd hold it down then push the trackpoint up/down to scroll. I've been using my laptop at the desk with a USB keyboard for a few months, though, and now I'm trying to scroll like I used to, and it's not working. I don't get any visual indicator at all when I push the middle trackpoint button, like I used to.

    Does anybody know how to re-enable this?
    ​
     
    maxh, Mar 23, 2012
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  2. maxh

    maxh Notebook Consultant

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    So, anybody?
     
    maxh, Mar 30, 2012
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  3. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    Its an option in the dell trackpoint software. You can set the middle button to be a 'middle' click rather than a 'stick' click...



    In mine, the dell settings option is under "change mouse settings'
     
    whitrzac, Mar 31, 2012
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  4. maxh

    maxh Notebook Consultant

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    I think mine's broken. No matter what I do, I can't get either of the middle mouse buttons to work (the one with the trackpad nor the one with the trackpoint). This seems unlikely to be a hardware issue, but I can't figure out anything else to do to re-enable it.

    I use my laptop with a mouse frequently so don't notice it as much, but when I forget to bring my mouse somewhere, work is very cumbersome, as I use the middle mouse button extensively with my CAD work. It used to work, but now it doesn't. What do you think; should I contact tech support? They'll probably just want to replace the keyboard...
     
    maxh, May 1, 2012
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  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Notebook Consultant

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    "What do you think; should I contact tech support? They'll probably just want to replace the keyboard..."

    Don't know if you have Basic or Pro Warranty, but I would think they know better than most how to troubleshoot their own product.
     
    frodoz737, May 1, 2012
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  6. nublar

    nublar Notebook Enthusiast

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    You have to have the Dell Touchpad software running in order to utilize the two middle buttons.
     
    nublar, May 1, 2012
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  7. maxh

    maxh Notebook Consultant

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    That was one of the first things I tried before starting this thread. Both middle buttons used to work fine, then one day stopped.

    I have next business day support. My experience in the past has always started with someone in another country reading through a script, directing me to perform the self diagnostics test, then scheduling a technician to come replace whatever was giving the problem. I don't know about you, but I can't stand the whole dance through the scripted routine thing on the phone or chat, so was hoping someone might have some insight to fix the problem without resorting to it.
     
    maxh, May 2, 2012
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  8. adante

    adante Notebook Geek

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    Might be worth taking a look at this thread

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/423415-ultranav-middle-click-button-scroll.html

     
    adante, May 4, 2012
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  9. landsome

    landsome Notebook Evangelist

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    if you have al ALPS touchpad, install the generic / Acer drivers (check relevant threads for the Acer model numbers with ALPS touchpads). it gives you the option of using the trackpoint for scrolling even w/o using the middle button
     
    landsome, May 4, 2012
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  10. philippz

    philippz Newbie

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    You have to go to the Dell Touchpad settings and then on the top select Pointstick. It defaults to the Touchpad. The Pointstick settings let you assign functions to the middle button.

    The Dell Touchpad settings are in the taskbar on the bottom right. Right click on the Touchpad icon and select Touchpad Properties.

    If you don't have that, you have to download and install the Touchpad driver from the Dell support website.
     
    philippz, May 8, 2012
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