Z2 cursor jumps then characters inserted

On my new Z226, every once in a while the cursor jumps an inch or two and then a couple of characters are typed or a selection is made. This seems to only happen when I begin typing something. I've reduced the palm sensitivity of the track pad, but I don't think it's related to that because it keeps happening. I'm also very careful about not contacting the pad. I've read about this problem on the ASUS Zenbook, but also that driver updates have cured the problem on that laptop. In fact, my Zenbook UX-21 doesn't manifest the problem. I thought I also read about the same situation on the VAIO Z2, but now I don't seem to be able to find threads dealing with it. Is this a known problem? Is there a fix or a workaround? My VAIO drivers are updated.

 

I get the same thing on my Vaio Z1 - no idea what causes it. You could try disabling the track pad to confirm that it's not the track pad. What driver solved it on the ASUS?

 

I have got simmilar issue at vpcz1 - once repaired and now waiting for pick up of 2 time same issue over 2 years

BTW anyone knows home many repairs can be done for I can ask replacement?

thx

 

It must be the same Synaptics trackpad and driver (or at least very similar) to what's in the Zenbook. I don't know exactly how ASUS solved the problem, just that the included software that updates drivers via ASUS will update the driver as needed. In late 2011, there were lots of complaints about the Zenbook's trackpad's weird behavior. But since I bought mine in March, 2012, I was never subject to the old drivers. ASUS, however, apparently has disabled many of the trackpad's functions so that its basic functions will work properly. The settings utility doesn't show nearly as many mouse options on my Zenbook as on my Z2. I have software that will re-enable the option to choose missing functions, so they're all there. It's just that ASUS apparently had to disable half of the Synaptics, so I'm wondering if it's the same situation with the Z2. If so, you'd think there'd be more complaints because the Zenbook early adopters complained early and loud.

I guess you're right that it's possibly not the trackpad. But the problem's too intermittent to disable the trackpad and then see if it recurs or not. I mean, you can't use the computer long without resorting to the mouse, and the problem might not manifest for hours.

 

Downloads - touchfreeze - Utility for Windows that disables touchpad automatically while you are typing text - Google Project Hosting

Try that.

 

^ I ended up installing a program called "Touchpad Pal". It pops up a little message every time it blocks an unwanted click on the trackpad (I think it blocks any clicks made on the trackpad within a second of when you last typed).

Interestingly, these messages have appeared when my hands were nowhere near the trackpad, which seems to reinforce my experience that it's not me rubbing my hand against the trackpad, but there is some sort of hardware or software fault creating unwanted taps. Certainly, I have another PC with a trackpad, and I've never had the problem of unwanted clicks that I have had with the Vaio Z1.

 

At this point, I'm virtually certain that it is indeed my own right palm that gets too close to the trackpad. I'll try that Touchpad Pal. The real problem is the rather bizarre design decision to place the trackpad off center, to the right. I mean, were they thinking? Typists will always put index fingers on the 'f' and 'j' keys, so displacing the trackpad to the right penalizes touch typists unecessarily.

 

Can you cover the trackpad with something and see if that makes a difference?

 

Of course, but wouldn't that get in the way of using the trackpad? Touchpad Pal seems to be working pretty well.

Is there any possible design advantage to displacing the trackpad to the right? My Zenbook has a huge, but centered trackpad that doesn't give me this problem.

 

What I have also just done is disabled "tapping" in the synaptics trackpad control panel (i.e. being able to click by tapping the trackpad instead of clicking the actual mouse button). I'll see if that makes a difference.

 

I'd rather not do that, myself. I'd strongly prefer to be able to tap the pad, particularly right after moving the cursor, when your finger's already over the pad. Touchpad Pal continues to look good.

 

...for testing purposes.