dv2000 touchpad issue

I recently bought a dv2000t, and am very happy with it. The screen is lovely and the keyboard has a really nice feel. And it runs really cool and quiet.

However, the touchpad is very erratic. When I touch around the middle and the top of the surface, it's reasonably accurate, but as soon as I move near the bottom the mouse pointer starts jumping all over the place.

I read on the dv2000 review on here that there's a 'dead spot' on the touchpad.

Has anyone else experienced this, or can anyone suggest a fix? (I suspect it's a hardware issue, so not sure a driver will fix this) - Either way, I'll probably just start using my mouse, I always preferred using a mouse for Photoshop work.

 

I solved this problem (among others) by returning the machine and buying a ThinkPad.

Chris

 

Well, it's a bit late for that now! ;-) I wish I had stuck with my original plan to get the R60, but I saw the HP in the shop and liked the look of it.

I just finished online chat with a HP technician, who told me to install the latest drivers and it would fix the problem. Which, of course, it didn't. I've already installed the latest touchpad driver *and* BIOS update. Didn't make any difference.

I'm convinced this is a hardware QC issue. I just don't have the time or patience to get into the whole returning the notebook for 'repair' and spending hours on the phone to customer care people trying to explain what the problem is.

So, I'll just plug the mouse in, turn off the trackpad, and live with it. You sort of get used to these little quirks after a while. What is it with laptops that you're almost *expecting* something to be wrong with them? (Or perhaps it's my grim history with Dell that's caused me to be like this)

 

My V3000 had the up and down issue when I first got it, but it seems to have worked itself out. I would update the driver/BIOS as a place to start. It is an excellent notebook considering the price.

 

Yea, I already tried that to no avail.

I'll just get used to it - I'm already avoiding the bottom part of the trackpad. And I prefer using a mouse anyway. You know how it is, when you buy something nice and new and shiny you really want it to be perfect - I was scanning for dead pixels as soon as I switched it on!

One consolation is that I'm not alone with this problem. And hey, it could be worse, I could be having these dv8000 keyboard problems...

Yet again I started looking at the R60/T60 specs.... but there's just something about this HP that I like - It just looks really nice, and I love the keyboard. And other touches like the remote control and the built-in microphone, and Quickplay, and the touch-buttons along the top. And it feels robust as well (no flex in the keyboard) - Overall I'm really happy with it. It was just that niggling touchpad problem that got me posting in here...

 

It's a great notebook for the price. The Imprint Finish separates itself nicely from the competition. The keyboard is not as good as a ThinkPad, but hey what else is? You could ask HP to replace the trackpad.

 

On my v2000, I was frustrated with the touchpad, too. Not sure if it was dead spots or sensitivity. Buried in the Synaptics box for adjustments is a deeper control of the touch pad (setting size of horizontal/vertical scroll areas, setting up the touchpad so each quarter of it has a different function, setting sensitivity, etc.). It looks, at first, like a help file but it's really fine control for the touchpad. On mine, it's a box on one of the tabs (maybe called Advanced?). Don't have the NB with me now to check.

After fiddling around with those controls, I liked the touchpad a lot better - more responsive and not as quirky, but still prefer a mouse most of the time.

 

This is a common issue with the dv2000. I called HP to return and the tech told me that he has never heard of such problem, which is surpised considering there are a few thread on this forum about it. I returned the thing and order a new one.

As a consumer, I really believe you should not have to stick with anything that is a manufacture's defect. Place the burden on HP to solve your problem. Call them and make sure they solve the problem to your liking.

 

Thanks for your advice. It got me thinking, and you're right - why should I have to put up with QC issues like this?

I'd already spent a long time on the phone to the HP engineer, and tried driver reinstalls and BIOS updates, didn't work. So, I took it back to the computer store this afternoon.

They brought another one out of the warehouse that had exactly the same problem - A dead spot on the bottom middle of the touchpad, and a strip along the bottom that is unresponsive or causes erratic mouse movements.

I checked the display model, and it had exactly the same problem! So that was three of them that had the problem. I didn't bother asking them to get another one out of the warehouse, I just got a refund.

Pity, as I really liked the laptop apart from that one irritating issue.

 

I've recently ordered a dv2000t but haven't received it yet. Assuming that I have the same symptoms I'm hoping that the below alert from HP I received a few days ago resolves this problem. Has anyone tried this fix? Did it work?


SUPPORT COMMUNICATION - CUSTOMER ADVISORY
Document ID: c00772784
Version: 1
HP Notebook PCs - Notebook Touchpad May Not Respond or Responds Erratically
NOTICE: The information in this document, including products and software versions, is current as of the Release Date. This document is subject to change without notice.

Release Date: 2006-09-13
Last Updated: 2006-09-14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
The notebook PC touchpad my respond erratically or insensitively.

SCOPE
The specific notebook PCs affected by this issue are listed in the Hardware Platforms Affected section at the bottom of this advisory.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

Click Start, Control Panel and then double click the Mouse icon.
Select the Device Settings tab.
Click the Settings button.
Click the + sign next to Pointer Motion.
Select Slow Motion.
Ensure the Enable slow motion is not checked or enabled.
Click the + sign next to Sensitivity.
Select Palm Check. Adjust the slider for the appropriate settings.
Select Touch Sensitivity. Adjust the slider for the appropriate settings.
Test the touchpad.

Verify the latest drivers for your touchpad are installed. Visit www.hp.cm to locate updates.

If the touchpad issue continues, contact HP Service and Support for further assistance.

HP Notebook PCs - Locating HP Software, Driver and BIOS Updates


---------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware Platforms Affected: Compaq Presario V3000 Notebook PC series, HP Pavilion dv2000 Notebook PC series

Operating Systems Affected: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition

Software Affected: Not Applicable

Support Communication Cross Reference ID: IA00771715

 

ggrike - those instructions did not help in my case.

 

That setup guide didn't help me either. I went through every possible setting change with my DV2000t. I think HP has a hardware problem with this Synaptics touchpad and doesn't want to admit how widespread it is. I think they should be contacting Synaptics for a resolution. I tried to contact Synaptics myself, but they did not respond to my email. They don't offer end-user support. How nice of them.

Vinnie

 

I'm having the same issue on a refurbished dv2047cl I just purchased- a dead zone that runs along the bottom of the touchpad. I thought it might have something to do with horizontal scrolling but like everyone else, I had no luck playing with the settings in the control panel.

However I don't think this is a hardware issue. I removed the Synaptics driver completely and the full surface of the touchpad became responsive. This isn't very practical however, as the tracking speed is so slow with the generic driver. It does provide some hope that HP or Synaptics will resolve this with a driver update though. I'm not sure I'll be waiting around for it though- this is pretty annoying.

FYI, upgrading to Vista won't help either. I'm now running Vista RC2 on this machine- perfectly in all respects except for that touchpad!

 

Im not,it seemes my notebook is perfect except it having an SEC screen, and I think the screen is good. YAY

 

DV2000T here and having the same issue with the touchpad. very frustrating.

 

So is this dead spot above the horizontal scrolling area or are you confusing that area with a real usable spot (by default) and it's not really an issue?

 

If it's a driver problem and not a hardware problem then there might be some hope. Althought the latest touchpad drivers on the HP site are dated April 06.

I don't have my dv2000t anymore, but I wonder would booting from a Ubuntu CD work? (i.e. would the touchpad work correctly using generic linux drivers)

At least doing that would eliminate 'hardware' as the problem.

 

No, the behaviour is too intrusive and erratic to be considered part of the normal operation of the touchpad. I also changed just about every touchpad setting in software (including the scroll zones) but it had no effect on the dead area.

 

I'd recommend getting the driver updates from the vendor website. I downloaded the Synaptics drivers (not sure of release date, but most recent ones they have) from Synaptics website.

I don't rely on the PC maker to provide accurate or up-to-date software, especially drivers. I always recommend getting them directly from the vendor and not the company that made them.

HP (or Dell or anyone else) has no real vested interest in keeping that stuff completely up-to-date after about a year of production.

 

Good point - the drivers on the Synaptics website are more recent (even though they recommend getting the drivers from the system manufacturer website!)

http://www.synaptics.com/support/drive.cfm

The above site has v.8.3.4, whereas HP has v.8.2.23

 

Here's the latest update about my touchpad problems,,, First of all, I also purchased a dv6000t with NONE of the touchpad problems of the dv2000. I sent in my notebook for repair with an extensive explaination of the problems I've been having. Here's what happened... I received the notebook back with a note that said a cable problem was resolved along with the latest bios being installed. Well, guess what? I already installed the latest bios! Also the touchpad was no better, so apparently there was no cable issue. The 'technicians' also scratched the glossy top cover of my new computer.
I informed HP, though there online chat, that I wanted to be contacted via phone being that I've had way too many chat sessions and no resolutions. I was told to send it in and that all would be attended to. I was also told that I'd be contacted within 48 hours. Well, I was contacted but was not told that my computer was going to take 6 weeks for repair! I was outraged. See, before I was contacted the online chat rep told me of the 6 week wait. Then the story changed on the phone and I was told by an HP case manager that the computer was on it's way back and was fully repaired. Scratch and all. I recieved the unit. Touchpad finally is not dead at the bottom! Still kind of jumpy though. I was told that the 'logic board' was changed, twice! But here's the kicker,,, The unit still is scratched, the harddrive now is changed with another customer's drive. I can tell this because it has the guys name on it when I boot up. I opened the harddrive cover and see that is has a sticker on it with that customer's serial number on it. The silver cover that holds the touchpad and keyboard is now badly warped like it was forced together incorrectly. There's a big 'bump' in it now and the touchpad buttons are hard to press down. The unit is full of marks all over it and generally looks like it's been abused. Does not look anywhere near new anymore. Plus, the button that turns off the touchpad is faulty. Great job HP techs! What a bunch of losers. I sent this in the the Tennessee plant. Terrible work indeed.
I contacted the HP case manager and said enough is enough. I want a full, new replacement for this abused computer. I was told it would be at my door on January 8th being that the techs have back to back faulty repairs. I was told that this computer would be destroyed, whatever that means. I'm sure it will be salvaged for parts. HP reps still refuse to admit that this touchpad problem is widespread. I also told the the rep that the technician he was defending left his troubleshooting software in my notebook. One disk in the computer and one in the box. What professionals,,, pathetic. I will never return anything to HP for repair again. I'd rather sell it 'as is' and get another from a different manufacturer. My advice to anyone with these problems is to fight like hell and get a new replacement or an upgrade to the dv6000 which has none of these problems.

Vincent

 

So has anyone actually installed the updated drivers from Synaptics site AND found that it solved or helped the problem?

 

Hi,

I have recently bought a second hand dv2045ea. Brilliant box in every respect, apart from this problem with the touchpad (also crappy sound card and speakers but at least they work).

I have managed to speak with HP tech support rep about this. After a lot of explaining and when it was clear that the laptop is outside warranty, she has said that this is a hardware fault and that I should send/take it to authorised service centre.

I am not inclined to do this as I will have to pay and am not ready to spend another penny on this. However, the fact that they have admitted it is hardware fault could benefit anybody within their warranty.

Hope this helps,
U

 

i just got a dv6000 and i just had the same problem,i think.i couldnt use the scroll thing on the touchpad.i went into the settings and did all the test,and in the test it seem to work.so i did download the drivers from the synapitics site,but rebooted first to make sure the scroll didnt work.

after the reboot,the scroll works.i guess ill just keep the drivers in case lol.

 

I think this was a problem with the synaptics touchpads, the alps on the dvX500 seem to be fine

 

I disabled all scrolling functions on this pad since the sensivity adjustment didn't work out. Besides there's a dedicated up/down page keys. I have a dv2000z

 

Hi, another update.

I wrote before about the same problem on dv2035ea... In the meantime, I got a dv2036ea for my wife as she liked my box

Anyway, same problem.

The way I got it to be bearable (and that's stretching the meaning of 'bearable' a bit) is by removing synaptics driver altogether.

I had a few dells in the past and I miss them badly...

U

 

is this also problem with the dv2500t???

 

Alright guys, as many of you I have been having the same problem, exactly the same problem with this HP dv2000 touch pad.
Fortunately, I have a 2 year warranty. I sent my laptop for repair 3 times. Yes, 3 times.
I am definitely going to post an update here. This is a wide spread problem, however, it is not a problem present on all dv2000 laptops but let's say many of them.
The first 2 times, my touchpad was not even replaced. I know it because I had marked it with two black little spots on both corners.
One nice, finally American, manager is now taking care of this problem. Before, I had to deal with totally unexperienced so called "technicians" from abroad, off-shore.
The second time, my power adapter and power cord were not even returned to me. They were lost somewhere. A funny HP "manager" called Tui refused to send me a new power adapter. Funny guy, that would have cost HP too much, $5 to 10. Instead, he said he would have sent an email to the repair center to find my power adapter. No, words from him or the repair center for nearly a week. This time, I spoke to a nice qualified manager. He is sending me a new power adapter and hopefully he is going to help me out.
My last but still possible option is to sell it.
Laptop is really great, I love it but I can't use an external mouse for the rest of my life.

 

Ubuuntu, yes you are right. The problem is slightly solved by dis-installing the synaptics mouse program (or driver). As you nicely said, the mouse gets to be bearable.
Any problem with the dv2500 guys?
I had a HP DV1000 and loved it!!! but weak mother board. Warranty extended service plans are a must!!!

 

SPOOKOMAN wrote: "I think this was a problem with the synaptics touchpads".

Yes, definitely that is the problem.

 

Sorry another note, IT IS AN hardware problem with the dv2000. It is not a software or driver updating problem.
The problem can be a little adjusted by uninstalling the synaptics driver.
Here is how you do it:
1. click on START
2. click on CONTROL PANEL
3. click on ADD and REMOVE programs
4. find synaptics
5. uninstall it

At this point the touchpad will work a little better.

I installed the newest synaptics driver and the problem remains the same.

To fully solve the problem you have two options:
1. send it back and cross your fingers that they actually replace the touchpad and that the replaced touchpad doesn't have the same defect.
2. sell it

 

Anyone tried the new drivers Synaptics v10.1.8 yet?

http://www.synaptics.com/support/drive.cfm

i think it would solve the touchpad issue for dv2000.