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18575
March 30th, 2005 18:00
a fix for drifting mouse syndrome
I have been having the dreaded "drifting mouse" syndrome for some time now, on an Inspiron 4100. From google searches and also on the Dell forums, it seems that this is a very common problem with laptop systems (not just Dell laptops, other brands as well). Tech support usually recommends reinstalling the touchpad driver, or deleting nontouchpad pointing device drivers (e.g. Intellimouse or Logitech Mouseware), or disabling the little eraserhead (trackpoint) in the driver configuration. NONE OF THESE THINGS WORKED FOR ME.
After many nights of searching google groups, I finally came across a fix. This is truly a hardware problem, not a software problem. I know this because I can get drifting mouse syndrome even when booting to DOS and running Dell Diagnostics on the pointing device. The source of the problem is the eraserhead trackpoint. For some reason, this thing will send erratic signals, causing the mouse cursor to move on its own.
The fix is very simple. Remove your keyboard, and cut the connector that connects the trackpoint to the mainboard. (be careful not to cut the connector for the keyboard keys!) My mouse cursor has been rock solid stable ever since. Of course, you will lose functionality of the eraserhead, but I never use it anyway. I don't necessarily think that it's a "defect" of the eraserhead, more of a design flaw. At any rate, it took me some time to find this info, so hopefully this will be helpful to others.
I wonder why Dell has never acknowledged that drifting mouse syndrome is a hardware issue. Maybe they don't know? Or don't want to admit that subpar hardware is used in their systems?
After many nights of searching google groups, I finally came across a fix. This is truly a hardware problem, not a software problem. I know this because I can get drifting mouse syndrome even when booting to DOS and running Dell Diagnostics on the pointing device. The source of the problem is the eraserhead trackpoint. For some reason, this thing will send erratic signals, causing the mouse cursor to move on its own.
The fix is very simple. Remove your keyboard, and cut the connector that connects the trackpoint to the mainboard. (be careful not to cut the connector for the keyboard keys!) My mouse cursor has been rock solid stable ever since. Of course, you will lose functionality of the eraserhead, but I never use it anyway. I don't necessarily think that it's a "defect" of the eraserhead, more of a design flaw. At any rate, it took me some time to find this info, so hopefully this will be helpful to others.
I wonder why Dell has never acknowledged that drifting mouse syndrome is a hardware issue. Maybe they don't know? Or don't want to admit that subpar hardware is used in their systems?
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siriusbowman
5 Posts
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April 15th, 2005 20:00
Had the same problem on my Insp 8000, but solved it simply by disabling the track stick using the Synaptics utility. I got the utility when I re-installed the touchpad driver software, which I downloaded from the Dell support web site. I totally agree, the drifting cursor problem is hardware-related, and it is the eraserhead in the middle of the keyboard. Most folks seem to think it is the touch pad, but at least in some cases, it is not.
naraynel
1 Message
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April 17th, 2005 10:00
Hi there,
I have read on this forum that several people are having trouble with a drifting mouse. I had this trouble on my new Inspiron 6000, the mouse pointer was jiggling most of the time and it was most difficult to hit anything on the screen. It was most frustrating and I even went back to the shop and complained about the mouse not working. The shop replaced the mouse but the new one was no better.
The fix was so easy. Just change your mouse pad. The new mice with the optical sensor dont like any pad surface that is reflective.
Hope this helps.
naraynel:smileyvery-happy: