Cursor Problems

I'm having a serious problem with my cursor. When I'm typing, it jumps backwards into the middle of a word I've already typed, or it jumps up a line or two. It does this while I'm in word and on AOL etc.

I had this exact problem with my Inspiron5150 years ago. It took a new motherboard, a reformat, a new keyboard, touchpad and I don't remember what else and it still never got fixed. Finally after screaming and crying, I got a new computer which was fine.

I'm going to call tech support. I think I've had this computer a month.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Yup. All it takes really to fix it is to prevent yourself from touching the touchpad while you are typing. If you accidentally touch it while typing, occasionally the cursor jumps back and you find yourself typing in between works, etc. I agree, it is very annoying, though its not a hardware or driver issue.

 

Thanks for the pointer... no pun intended... By the time I read your post, I had already called Dell and they're supposed to be shipping a new computer with the same exact parts. Now I'm kind of embarrassed. I'd rather keep my old one if all that caused it was my palm on the touchpad. I'm going to keep track of where my hand is; and if it's just what you say, I guess I can cancel the order.

 

Don't cancel until you're sure that brushing the touchpad is what's causing the problem.

 

Thanks. I think I'll wait.

I can't imagine that at the end of month I suddenly started touching the pad in a way I hadn't before. Actually, I was just typing this post and my hands were carefully raised above the touch pad and the cursor jumped up a few lines. Very weird.

 

Just to update you. I've been working in Word tonight for a couple of hours. The more I type, the more frequent the hops and jumps become. I'm certain it can't be my hand on the touch pad. The situation has become so annoying, that I'm probably going to switch to my old Inspiron until the new computer comes.

I'm still curious about what could cause this problem. And of course why me twice????

(Just in this short post, the cursor has jumped up a couple of lines twice. Urgh)

 

Try disabling the touchpad and using an external USB mouse.
See if you still get the cursor hopping around.

 

I only use a mouse. Certainly can try the reverse.

 

You could also try taping a piece of card board or a playing card over the touchpad. Just tape it on the topside by the keyboard and not quit all the way across. Flip it up when using the pad and flip it back down when typing docs.

My touchpad also has a setting for pressure sensitivity and palm check. I use sensitivity at heavy touch and palm check at maximum. With those settings I don't need cardboard (although my husband does on his computer) and I don't have to completely disable the pad.

 

So did you have the same cursor problem?

I find it very odd that the more I used the computer last night... i.e. Word... the more frequently my cursor flipped around. I didn't change anything about the way I was typing. If anything, I was more careful about keeping my hand above the pad.

This morning, I've had no problem so far. Again, absolutely no difference in my typing or hand placement.

How could it be the touch pad when I didn't have this problem until very recently?

 

Yes we had similar problems. I would start to type a word and the cursor would jump back. The last few letters would be at the beginning. Very, very annoying. It was brushing the touch pad in our cases. I don't know if that is your problem or not but I suspect it is.

I agree with Chelet, try disabling the pad and use an external mouse for a while to see if it is the culprit.

You might also consider an external keyboard for when you are at home. They are much cooler on your lap and lighter weight. Less expensive if you break it by tossing it around or spill something on it. You are also not going to a block a vent and cause wear and tear on the laptop. I just find it more comfortable to use an external keyboard.

 

Hey Chalet,

I've gone to the control panel to disable the touch pad; but I couldn't find that as a setting. Can you tell me where it is?

I'm still guessing that my issue has to be more than the touch pad. I went a month without anything happening. Last night the cursor was all over the place. Today I haven't had a problem.

 

On my Gateway with vista HP
Control Panel > mouse >device settings > highlight your touchpad > disable