Fixing Sony VAIO TT touchpad Problems

I need to go back and edit this post. Unfortunately the solution below did not fix the problem. The Sony Vaio TT model touchpad, on many models, doesn't work properly. No matter what you do. Send it in to be fixed. Try other drivers. Etc. The touchpad simply isnt sensitive enough. I have tried 3 of them and they all had similar problems to varying degrees. I thought the solution below fixed it but quickly realized (see my last post below) that it didn't. So if you're running into this problem, please contact sony, ask for technical support, and tell them you want to report that the touchpad on this model was engineered wrong.

Original post:

First off thank you to everyone here for helping me out with this. I know this is going to be an issue in the coming months as more people buy the TT290 and other TT Vaio Models. So I am posting this as a unique thread in hopes that it gets found in Google, etc and others can be helped.

Problem: Sony Vaio TT model touchpad lacks sensitivity, will not respond to tapping, finger taps, or finger swipes 10-40% of the time. Very tempermental, sometimes requiring multiple taps before it registers, and multiple swipes of the finger before the mouse moves the pointer. This problem appears both in Windows XP downgrade and in the Vista version for some people. This problem was driving me crazy and some of the suggestions I got ("just use a mouse!") weren't helping.

Solution: This is a problem with the Sony Driver and it is completely fixable, thank goodness. The installed touchpad is an Alps touchpad and you can upgrade them.

Download the Dell Alps touchpad drivers here: Dell Alps Touchpad Drivers Version for Windows Vista and XP 32 and 64-bit

These drivers will work for both Windows Vista and the XP Downgrade if you opted for that.

Once you have done this you must rebooth (XP) adjust some settings.

1) Go into Control Panel > Mouse > and go to the "Dell Touchpad" tab. Click on the large Touchpad Graphic to open those settings.

2) Click the "Touchpad Settings" icon lower left.

3) Adjust "Touch Sensitivity" all the way to the left - "Light Touch".

This may be enough for you, but I found that it was not enough for me, so ....

4) Under "TouchCheck" on the same screen, uncheck the "Enable" option, to disable it. TouchCheck "numbs" the touchpad in case your palm rests against it, to prevent unwanted clicks or mouse movement. I dont have this issue and it optimizes the sensitivity even more when you are making deliberate movements.

I was convinced this was a hardware problem and I am both amazed and disappointed that Sony's drivers are actually making the touchpad a hundred times less sensitive than its predecessor (I had the TZ model which works like a dream out of the box). I almost threw in the towel with this amazing machine.

I am very thankful to everyone here who has helped me with this issue.

Note: *NO REGISTRY ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEEDED* despite what you may read in other threads. At least not for the sensitivity issue. However, other options will be automatically enabled like "scrolling" while you slide your finger, etc. If you do not want these (like me), you will need to poke around in the settings to disable them.

 

This whole time were you referring to tapping on the touchpad for clicks not registering?

I guess I read it wrong and thought that the regular buttons were having problems being registered too?

If the left click button works why not use that? I know that for some people the touch tap doesnt work as well as others if you either have calluses on your fingers or have sweaty hands.

Its just me though but I hate touch tapping and prefer to use the left and right buttons on trackpads.

In all my experience with notebooks, the tapping interface always never works perfectly. This is why I hate using that feature and prefer the physical buttons.

Only Apple's "multitouch" trackpad seems to work very well with multigestures and even then I still dont like using the touch tap for clicks.

 

Ok, i guessed that this was not a hardware issue but a XP software issue.

Also, i have never read of anyone having a problem with the touchpad that owns a TT if they are using Vista. Wanting multi gesture is not quite the same thing.

The Dell drivers are good but i don't like using them for the simple fact that you will get the Dell branding and i don't like that because i own a Sony and not a Dell lol. I don't know if the HP drivers provides the same function but without the branding.

Also, posting the exact same post more than once is cross posting.

Anyway, i'm glad that for you the touchpad issue is now resolved.

 

Unfortunately I take it back. Despite having upgraded the drivers this touchpad is a monumental pile of crap. Instead of clicking 3 and 4 times to execute a link, I now have to click 1 or 2 times.

I sat down with my TZ model and it was a *DREAM* in the touchpad arena.

I have now driven to Phoenix and sat down with my mothers TXN27N which has an identical touchpad (white color, smooth) and it works like a *DREAM*

This model is a pile of crap and I am done with it. I have now purchased THREE of them and I believe I've given a sufficient chance.

Mark my words you will hear more about this, and NO, there is no solution for it. Im done. Adios TT ....

Additional note:

I found this on a website review of the TT - and it was written by the *owner* of the site:

"admin says:
October 26, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Actually, I’ve had some “issues” with this laptop concerning the quality of the tracking of the track pad. I had to send it back to Sony because it is clearly defective and they are unable or unwilling to fix it claiming it is within their standards of quality.

I will detail the problems in an update to the review, but I’m still waiting for word back from them on what they can do to resolve the issue."

 

Incorrect. And I can prove I am right about this because I buy a new Sony Vaio every single year. I have the last two Vaio's I''ve purchased sitting right here on my desk in front of me. The other two (TZ and TX) work perfectly. The TT sucks. It doesn't register first-tap at least 50% of the time. As I've stated, I have also purchased THREE different TT models and they ALL had this problem. I also spoke to Sonystyle store and the manager there told me point blank "People come in here all the time complaining of the new touchpads. Its not just a driver issue, its a design issue." so even he is aware of it, even if nobody here is. The stupid sound files still don't fully play. When i go to the Sonystyle store they say they "cant help me" because I had mine custom configured. Nice customer service. Im done.

 

Im fully aware of that. Had you read my post, the reason why I did this was because I noticed that unique threads get indexed in search engines better. I wanted people to be helped by this solution. Unfortunately its not a complete solution and I am returning my third TT now.

 

Just trade it in for a Z.

 

Whats the benefit of getting a bigger, heavier notebook with a shorter battery life, the exact same hardware, and a significantly more expensive SSD that doesn't allow XP downgrade? Thats my impression of the "Z".

 

Get a samsung nc10 netbook. I just used it while being out and it lasted 8 hour and 15 minutes with wifi and constant surfing the net with 1 notch of brightness (plenty bright and vivid). Also it can even handle 1080p mkv 9gb-12gb files with windows media classic player, ffdshow (for subtitles) and coreavc although I play mostly 720p movies.

Awesome little netbook and awesome little screen and sound quality is very good for a netbook and I got it for just $425.

The best bang for buck ratio I have ever spent on and I had a sony vaio TZ a year and a half ago. It feels the same using the samsung nc10.

Also to note the trackpad is a multitouch trackpad and its the 2nd best trackpad I've ever used and very accurate and responsive, next to the 15" unibody mbp's multitouch trackpad of course.

 

Odd. Never had trouble with the Touchpad apart from the wake issue - but then, I'm not trying to use it with XP. Looks like neverwana may be better off with something more mainstream like the compact version of the HP Elitebook, Lenovo, etc with a proper downgrade option, notwithstanding the buyer's remorse I detect in his posts.

I noticed my SZ downgrade option didn't work properly either (although not in the touchpad area) so I installed VPC2007SP1 instead - which took care of my functional issues for the very small number of still XP-only apps I had at the time.

 

I sympathize with your problems, but to say "this model is a pile of crap" is not entirely true. There are hundreds in this forum who own it and are perfectly happy with it. May be Sony has let down its guard, being in this economic environment, and hence used some cost cutting measure that resulted in the poor quality product that you are so unlucky as to receive a few of them. I suspect they are from the same batch. I would return it, walk into a SonyStyle store to buy a new one, but before you walk out of the door, open it right there and examine everything until you are satisfied. This is how I got mine, although the salesman ensured me that everything will be ok and I can take it back.

 

There are many posters here who claim that custom models are made in USA while the ready made units are made in Japan.

Are there any quality differences between "made in USA" and "made in Japan". Surely there is. I bought the original version of Mercedes-Benz SUV made in USA, and there were so many problem with this model (not just mine) that I now believe the assembly line in USA is not as good as the one in Germany where my other sedan was made. I am not saying everything made outside of Japan is no good, just saying that this particular assembly line for custom Vaio computers are no good.

So, if you still want a TT, I suggest to buy a ready made one from SonyStyle store and examine it thoroughly before you walk out.

 

I honestly wonder if this process is outsourced to the Philippines or Ecuador or wherever you end up when you try to get customer support. I would be willing to bet an American made custom machine would have fewer problems than an outsourced one (aside from Japan).

Thats an idea, but can I find one with the specs I need? If so, this may be the solution for me. I wanted the 64 GB solid state with 4 Gig of ram and downgrade option. From what i understand the stores are not matching that, nor do you get anywhere near the good price you get working with a phone guy who gave me a $200 discount just for fun. Let me know though, maybe i can go this route.

 

There is no 100% solution for you. You have to make a choice. Stay with Vaio, and live with the problem, and use an external mouse, or buy something else. You will never get a 100% TT, no matter how hard you try (and you already tried 3 or 4 times). Life is never perfect or fair!

 

Called the store. Sony has decided in their imminent brilliance to offer *NO* solid state notepads in the actual stores. They used to, but they went backwards in time and decided only to offer larger old-school hard drives in the preconfigured versions. So out the door that idea goes.

What a pile of crap. I wonder when the next generation model comes out after the TT? I consider the TT to be the successor of the TZ ... so when and what will be the successor of the TT ? .... I saw the TT has been on the market for at least a year. ...

 

Well I had a 100% perfect TZ model last year and a 100% perfect version of its predecessor before that!

 

The Sony VAIO TT Touchpad Problem Update

I just wanted to post this so those who frequent this thread will be aware of the problem for future folks who drop by here.

Aside from the 3 TT's I tried all with touchpad problems, there is this guy who actually runs a site with a review on the TT, and has evaluated over a dozen of them. He found that more than 50% were faulty. This coincides with what the Sonystyle store manager told me that people were frequently coming in with the same complaints. Maybe I should tell him to just use his mouse?

http://www.duaxiong.com/reviews/sony-vaio-tt-review

admin says:
October 26, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Actually, I’ve had some “issues” with this laptop concerning the quality of the tracking of the track pad. I had to send it back to Sony because it is clearly defective and they are unable or unwilling to fix it claiming it is within their standards of quality. I will detail the problems in an update to the review, but I’m still waiting for word back from them on what they can do to resolve the issue.

admin says:
November 11, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I finally managed to get the touchpad “fixed”. I think there’s a real quality issue here. Not all of them are bad, but I’ve sampled over a dozen Vaio TT laptops on the store showroom and I found that less than half of them, I would consider usable. Just make sure that you purchase from a place that you can work with in case you get a dud like I did.

admin says:
November 22, 2008
I had a bad trackpad on mine. It was ALOT of hassle trying to convince Sony that it was indeed broken. It’s fixed now, but that is the only issue I’ve had with this laptop. After trying a pretty wide sample of Sony trackpads, I think alot of their trackpads are just flaky. In my opinion, they have a quality issue there, so just make sure you can easily return it if you get a bad one.

Paul says:
December 16, 2008 at 1:01 am
Hi admin:
Are you the person I spoke with at the Sony store in Palo Alto?
You were talking with the staff about your track pad problem, and I was checking out the TTs?

admin says:
December 16, 2008 at 1:07 am
Hi Paul, Nope, definitely not me. I spoke with the people at the big Sony Showroom in Ginza, Tokyo. It was the ONLY way to get it fixed since SonyStyle claimed that it was working within their “quality” standards the BOTH times they looked at it. Just curious…what was that guy’s problem with his trackpad? Did they sort it out for him?

 

neverwana, you seem to be on a crusade -- I think this is like the third (maybe even fourth?) new thread you've started regarding your touchpad issues. While I can appreciate the fact that you must be upset at Sony, as I guess I would be in your shoes, I'd suggest that you've made your point, & that it'd be better for everyone if you kept all your touchpad-related posts to a single thread rather than plastering it all over the forum.

 

I think he is out to take revenge on Sony, and wasting our effort to help him. From now on, I will ignore any of his posts, unless he changed he screen name. I urge all of you to ignore him.

 

That was my quote you found about my touchpad issues. Sorry I haven't updated my site, but I will try to get to it soon. In the mean time, I'll do it here for everyone as well.

The TT touchpad issue is NOT related to software. It's most definitely a hardware problem. In my opinion, it's a manufacturing defect inherent in the Alps touchpad. On my machine, there was an area (a strip) about 5mm wide, that ran horizontally about one-third down from the top of the touchpad that was just not responsive. If you run your finger across this area, the computer would lose the track, or the cursor would jump when it picks up your finger on the other side. This was easily demonstrated by drawing lines in Paint. If try to move the cursor, starting from inside of this "dead zone", it would completely fail to track at all. This made for an infuriating mousing experience...as you've noticed.

I live in Tokyo and have the luxury of access to many floor models, including the ones at the official Sony Showroom in Ginza. Of the half dozen or so examples that I tried, only one was semi-acceptable. The others showed same the defect to varying levels.

I wanted an English keyboard on my machine, so my machine was a custom order from SonyStyle.jp. This meant that it is NOT returnable...I was stuck with it. The only thing I could do was send it in for repair. I thought it was an obviously defective part and would get replaced right away.

I was wrong. The first time into the repair center, it came back as "within Sony's quality standards". The rep even had the audacity to suggest that I use a mouse...

Next, I took it to the Sony Showroom; they have a customer service center there. I demonstrated the problem to the rep so that she could clearly see the obvious problem. They agreed to send it back under their representation...and again, the repair center refused to fix it; stating that there was nothing wrong with it.

Luckily for me, the manager there was able to request the touchpad to be replaced anyway, as a "preventative" measure; basically a "favor". A few days later, it came back with a new touchpad. While picking up the machine, I was able to confirm that the problem was gone before I left the Sony Showroom.

I was SO relieved that the whole ordeal was over. My next course of action was to file a lawsuit against Sony for not honoring their warranty. This was a brand new $3000 laptop after all. A non-functional touchpad makes the machine useless. I wasn't about to throw my money away without a fight.

For people considering the TT; it's a beautiful machine (for a PC) but I would suggest buying a pre-configured model from your local reseller so that it is easily returned if you have a problem with it...and in my opinion, is likely.

For you, this machine is probably too new (only six months on the market) to easily get replacement parts for self replacement. I would suggest filing an official complaint with Sony and maybe the BBB...or whoever needs to hear, and then file a lawsuit. I think just filing the lawsuit will be enough to get it fixed. It'll be MUCH cheaper for them to just replace the touchpad for you, than to send a lawyer to argue this.

Of course, if you can just return the machine and get your money back...that would be the first best option. If you can't get your money back, the Z is just a bit larger and doesn't seem to exhibit the same problems.

In my opinion, this is an issue that requires a recall, but I've not heard or read too many complaints about it, so I'm not sure. If there are many people experiencing this problem, we need some way to organize the complaints.

 

Why not? The HDD models are what sells more to most consumers. The shops are for consumers. You can't order online? (it's better for returns too as you don't have to go back to the shop)

 

Agreed.

Amazing! Finally something duplicatable. I began drawing lines horizontally in Paint, and halfway down, there simply is *no* line drawn in Paint. I can reproduce it just fine. Maybe this is my "area" that doesn't respond to taps the first, second, or third time.

Fortunately Sonystyle USA allows for returns, though it is a daunting and elaborate process of calling 2 different 800 numbers, getting authorizations, and printing out FedEx labels.

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ran into a very similar suggestion here! That made you mad? How odd! Me too. Wasn't that just plain irritating?

The reason a lot of people dont complain is primarily because most people don't spend literally all day using their TT. Some of us do. I work online and am on this thing from 8am to 5pm .... missing a few taps here and there for the casual user is just a minor irritation. After 8 hours of it, you're ready to throw the thing out the window. Include the fact that 50% of them dont have this problem, and you've got an even further reduced chance of complaints.

I will print out your post and bring it somewhere to get it fixed. Thank you for speaking up.

-N-

 

Im sure trackball mouses sold more than optical mouses when they first came out too. Does that mean you stop offering optical mouses in the stores? No.

So is the website.

You missed my sob story. I've ordered online. 3 times. Ive got $10,000 in purchases with Sony TT's as I've had three models with crappy touchpads sent to me. Im waiting to be refunded for the first two returns still.

 

Why would you order three one after another? I must have missed the story.

 

I too, have had a touchpad issue with Sony. I received my new TT VGN-290 last week. I immediately noticed problems with the touch pad. Near the top, center, especially when moving downward for about one third of the touch pad, the pointer would not move. I spent 2 hours going through various tech support, driver changes, settings changes. Finally, I tested with an external mouse and no problems. Sony was going to send "on site support", but because I just cracked it open, I asked for a new replacement, which they processed. I should get my new TT shortly, and pray I don't have the same issue. This does not look uncommon if you search for sony tt touch pad problems. I will update when I get the replacement TT.

 

UPDATE: I just received another new Sony, one month later (in fairness, I changed some specs on my order due to a special on upgrades Sony was having). Plugged it in and SAME PROBLEM. I am likely done with this model. Manufacture dates were a month apart, yet the SAME PROBLEM. I had a few friends "just move around on Windows and tell me what is wrong", and all noticed the problem immediately, so its not in my head. How can a product that cost close to $4,000 USD have a repeated problem like this? This is UNBELIEVEBALE.

 

Update 2: Went ot the Sony store in Dallas. While there, I tested three of the tt's on display. I made each touchpad fail, while two of Sony's empoyees watched. My test that most consistently fails is a vertical swipe, starting above the touchpad and ending mid way through the tracking area. I use medium to light swipes, medium speed. The swipes fail at least 1 in 4 times, and when they do, they sometimes fail 3-4 times in a row. Other directions fail as well, but I can't get a consistent failure to show others. This is appears to b an isue with most/all of the tt's.

Now, just as an fyi, I love the tt in most all other ways, and I researched for months before I bought this. I am extremely disappointed, and am even considering keeping it, but it will bother me every time I use it. I wish Sony would address in their FAQ's, else I see this as an uphill battle with Sony and would be better off returning versus fighting tech support. As I type this, the touchpad on my 6 year old Fujitsu lifebook P5020d works perfectly...

 

So, for those following this issue, I decided to return it. I used it for several days, hoping it would magically fix itself (I played plenty with the settings and reloaded the device, even hoped that a driver upgrade came out that would fix all). However, the touchpad issue continues to drive me crazy every time I use it. Again, I still love everything else. The screen is especially awesome, even in an outdoor environment. It is clean and crisp, and much brighter than my old laptop. The keyboard is also great, as the layout was new to me, but now that I have used it, I don't want a laptop with the old layout! One thing missing: backlit keyboard. I thought this had it, but it does not.

I will be willing to reorder this laptop-but only once I get confirmation from Sony that this is a real quality issue and that it had been resolved. One final note: because I didn't want to go through 2 hours of tech support to do everything I haver done with previous techs (and on my own) to resolve this, I must pay for shipping on the return. Other than that, Sony was great about the return.

I would love to hear from others that have experienced this or even from Sony on this issue. Please post if you have had similar problems.

 

I also have the same unresponsive touchpad, i noticed it already when i tested it in the store i bought it on 3 june 2009. however i asked the salesman that the touchpad wasnt working well but he told me it will be better if you use more because it's new. I regret that i believed him and stumbeld on this post, now for working for a week i still have the problem. sadly the shop have doesnt refund. can i go to a sonystyle store and return my TT, i dont want to have it fixed and wait for weeks because i need it this week for work.

what are my rights?

 

what store did u buy it from?

 

Well that will probably depend on the consumer laws in the area/locality/country you live....

 

Ok, I need to do one more update and one more try...I am so angry right now I could explode. I am working in New York City, and stopped by the 550 Madison Sonystyle store. Honestly, I was hoping to test the tt's and see the problem was fixed, or that a sales person had some insight regarding the problem. Here is the turn of events, which occured at about 1:15 eastern on 6/10/09. I approached about 4 sales people hovering around a wall of TT's. A short, young black gentleman (who shaved his head bald and had an accent...sorry, I left in such a huff I did not get his name) greeted me. The first question out of my mouth was "Do the TTs still have the touch...." and before I was finsihed saying touchpad problem, he was shaking his head no (he clealry must know this is an issue, answering me before I finish the question). So, I proceeded to go to the touch pad and make it fail in front of his eyes, repeatedly. He then proceeded to put his finger on it and move around the curser and said "see, it works for me". My response "Yes, I see you can make it work, but I can make it fail...". His response?!?!? "Well, maybe its YOU then"!!! I was so flabbergasted, I said "yes, thats the problem, its me" and I walked out of the store. I am so angry right now I could explode!!!

I really want a TT, but this just confirms that SONY has no itnention of admitting its a problem, so no intention of addressing or fixing it. I think I am done. I made every effort to get a fully working $4,000 laptop, but apparently, Sony doesn't want me to have that. Warning to all on defective TTs. UGGGGGGGH!

 

In the US, they will allow a return. If you don;t go through technical support to confirm your problem, they will make you pay return shipping. This was hefty for me, with insurance (about $85 total). It appears there return policies in other countries are more restricted.

 

Well... I don't think some sales guy at a sony store speaks for "Sony Corporation" any more than a guy answering the phone at a call center does. But I can understand how you'd be frustrated after having talked to a bunch of sony people, from the sounds of it, & not finding anyone who can really answer you or help you out.

I'm still amazed out how some people are saying this is a widespread problem for the TT, but by the same token there are a number of happy TT owners here (including me) that haven't experienced the issue. Others have brought it up, but it's not like the TT thread is full of touchpad complaints. I'm not disputing that there might be an issue -- I just wonder if it affects 10% of the units out there, or half or what, & if it's maybe specific to certain configurations or something.

I've had touchpad problems maybe a handful of times in the 4 months I've owned it, and each time it went away right after I put it to sleep & woke it up again. Try this next time you come across a TT...

 

I am with you Mr T - I don't know where all versions of the TT are assembled but mine is made and assembled in Japan (there was another post somewhere about how their TT was marked as being assembled elsewhere to Japan ), now could the trackpad issue just be a case of a bad batch? - as it seems to be largely affecting the North American market (well based on the posts on NBR anyways)

I also know a couple of TT users here in Australia and we have not had any issues with the touchpad.

My touchpad seems hyper responsive if anything.

I don't think its a massive worldwide issue as it seems to be most of the people making the complaints have purchased in North America (although happy to be corrected) which could explain the whole batch run theory, different batches would most likely get shipped to different countries. Lets face it, the Sony Style rep in New York or wider USA couldn't give a monkeys about a TT sold in Australia at the end of the day and is more likely to say that it affects the whole product line to get people of his back whilst in-store. In otherwords he will only be able to accurately talk about his own market.

I don't think it fair to label the entire TT product line as a load of bollocks based on a handful of gripes in here - how many users are having problems that have probably not ever heard of the NBR forums, and equally how many happy TT users out there who also have not heard of the NBR forums....

 

I just bought a TT190N and I was very surprised that it was so difficult to use the trackpad. I have a Fujitsu P7010D and the difference is like night and day. I thought the problem was just drivers, so I went onto the internet to hunt for a new driver and found this thread. Now after spending a day struggling with the touchpad and installing all my software, I realize that I'll either need to convice Sony to fix this, or simply sell this notebook and buy a different model.

For those who doubt this problem: trust me, after 1 minute of using the notebook it is obvious that something is wrong... it simpy does not feel right at all. My Fujitsu has a Synaptics trackpad and it works so much better. Also interesting to see that the Synaptics drivers have many more features and possibilities than the Alps drivers. (And I can also mention that the Synaptics drivers are updated regularly whereas the lastest version of the Alps drivers are from 2007).

This is my first Sony and after reading so many good things about them I was really not expecting this.

 

As i have posted before, our company has several of the new TT's.

I have only seen one instance where the trackpad was the least bit problematic and that was from one person who was not a trackpad fan in general who said that they have never worked well for him. He even thinks he may be part of the issue because he has extremely dry skin.

In any event that is not a knock at anyone but perhaps another variable.

Personally, I was impressed enough with the battery life, screen and overall quality of the unit that i bought one for my own use (a 230) and I'm quite happy with it and carry it everywhere.

"...Spartans" what i don't understand is both the anger and continued effort to use something that obviously isn't working for you. Maybe it's fate or the gods or whatever has decreed that you should use something else.

I had two bad Honda Civic's in a row (considered by many to be one of THE best cars) and decided that it was time for a Toyota.

Regardless I hope you resolve this, but I did want to add my voice to the group that both has not had a problem with the TT and enjoy it very much

 

Desertlap,

You comment as if this problem might just be that we don't like this touchpad or our fingers are dry.

Let me make this clear:

THE TOUCHPAD IS CLEARLY BAD.
AS IN DEFECTIVE.

That does not mean that it simply does not work. But it works so poorly that it is clearly bad.

The fact that many people rerport this problem (at least a few in this thread and a few more on other sites) means that it is a real problem and not our imaginations.

There is no way the trackpad should work this way. It works but very poorly.
I work in the IT industry and have sold notebooks for 15 years and have experience with hundreds of touchpads. At first I thought that it might just be a driver problem, or maybe that my fingers are dry (I did actually think that), but it is clear to me now that it is a hardware problem.

I like the screen and battery life and everything else about the notebook too. But I cannot use it with this trackpad, it is simply too frustrating and kills my productivity when I need to repeat each action 2-3 times.

 

There have been a lot of posts and debate regarding how widespread the issue is or isn't, so I created a poll. Please vote!

 

It is definitely a dichotomy, because I love this laptop in every other way! If it had a working touchpad, I would be quite happy, even at its high price. Maybe the gods are at play! But I will likely try again in a few months, unless someone else comes out with an ultraportable that compares...Sony is way ahead of the rest from a style persepective.

 

It's interesting to be lectured in large point multi-colored type......

But anyway, CLEARLY, you have not gotten this completely figured out yet either. My trackpad doesn't have the problem nor does the three other ones I have worked with at work. (and yes i did try the paint trick earlier in the thread)

So either SOME of the trackpads are defective and SOME aren't or there is another issue(s) here.

In any, event I wish you well and hope that you find a resolution that makes happy.

 

thanks, I try.

Nobody is saying that every unit produced has this problem or that every alps touchpad is bad. Clearly there are enough bad units to show that there was maybe a bad batch of touchpads. At least there is possibly a failure in their QC system.

 

I bought the TT11WN in Sweden a month ago, and it sure does have a touchpad problem. I have owned countless laptops with touchpad, this touchpad is the worst by far. But I love the TT so I will just get used to the unresponsive touchpad.

 

Just a reminder to please vote in the poll, which can be found in another thread on this forum, so we get an idea as to how widespread the issue might be... thanks!

 

MrT-

Can you add a link to the poll?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=390113

 

Hi, I just recently bought a Sony TT25SN (before reading this forum unfortunately). My touch pad problem is exactly the same as everyone's here. I went to Sony Service (Bangkok) Center and they told me certain Alps touch pad has thicker coating on the surface than normal. The problem will make the touch pad less sensitive which can not be fixed by any driver. They are ordering new replacement part for me which should be in next week. They were not surprised by my problem. They were already informed and will replace the bad ones.

 

I have yet to notice a problem with my TT but I want to know is the Dell alps drivers any better than the ones made for Sony? I just find the Sony drivers sometimes to be a little to slow for my taste and looking for something with a bit more speed.

 

bump please?

 

Lots and lots of people are having problems with the Sony touchpads, including me. Called Sony, they didn't provide any help at all.

Looks like we're not the only ones investigating this issue, seems some laptop owners are angry and are taking action. Take a look at http://www.classactionfaq.com/sonytouchpad/

I may just contact them to see what can be done. This is ridiculous, my Sony laptop not working like this.