I have that problem too. Just got a Dell Mini Inspiron 10 in January 2010. The pad works fine for moving around and for clicking but I cannot click and drag anyhing. The mouse pointer starts jumping all over the screen when I do that.
We have the exact same problem but I have not found a solution. Help please! It is really annoying.
This problem has plagued me for 5 months. I have read several new product reviews that complain about this behavior on the Inspiron Mini. When I started to do some drawing on my Mini, I couldn't stand it anymore and have tested two workable solutions.
1. Put on a "rubber finger tip" on the finger you use for tapping the button. These can be purchased at office supply stores for handling paper. Or use the finger tip from a rubber glove. This insulates the tapping finger from the touchpad and makes it less likely to trigger a jump.
2. Put one or 2 layers of transparent tape over the button part of the touchpad. Again, this acts as an electrical insulator, and the mouse won't jump when you use the button area.
I found that even with two layers of clear package sealing tape, AND a layer of duct tape, the touchpad STILL sensed my finger movements! So, I decided to let my subconscious work on it, laid down on the sofa, and awoke with the solution. I cut a length of velcro loop fastener with adhesive backing, about 1/4 inch wide, and the length of the touchpad, and stuck it on across the button area. It works perfectly. Now using the touchpad is little worse than average touchpad, although this reduces the area quite a bit, I find it is not a problem in use.
Simple, cheap, and effective, and with my black case, it even looks ok. It does take a while to get used to the feel of this area, however.
Now, I still think that Dell needs to FIX this, by getting ElanTech to rewrite the driver to ignore motion, and touch inputs in the area of the buttons. Strangely, I looked at HP laptops, and they are now using the same stupid, and unusable, touchpad. DUMB! Don't the people that market these products EVER use them?
While this is a good idea this is not a real solution. DELL fix the problem! I can't even use my mini b/c of this stupid touchpad. I'd have returned it but you WOULDN'T ALLOW ME.
I certainly agree that Dell should fix this problem, but I am sure that if you do the modification I suggested, you will be able to use the touchpad well enough to make good use of the computer. I am using mine to write this. It does seem to fix the problem, if in a somewhat 'kludgey' way.
This is an ongoing issue, an issue that Dell have decided to ignore with the new revision of the Mini 1012. I purchase a few weeks ago. It's a great little netbook, but for the touchpad, it is just awful to use.
I like the suggestion of putting tape over the click area, and will try that. But Dell, you really need to rethink this design? Software update should be able to solve this, Apple have a similar concept, but it works.
If you go into the Mouse settings, the Dell settings are the very same for their other touchpads, they haven't customized it for the mini, and it's unique way of working.
Dell, please listen to your users and nearly every review of the Mini 10, the biggest issue we all have is the touchpad, fix this and you have a great netbook, if not the best on market.
mlozier
1 Message
0
February 8th, 2010 20:00
I have that problem too. Just got a Dell Mini Inspiron 10 in January 2010. The pad works fine for moving around and for clicking but I cannot click and drag anyhing. The mouse pointer starts jumping all over the screen when I do that.
We have the exact same problem but I have not found a solution. Help please! It is really annoying.
I have Inspiron mini 10 with Windows XP installed
ZhaHongBo
3 Posts
0
February 27th, 2010 17:00
This problem has plagued me for 5 months. I have read several new product reviews that complain about this behavior on the Inspiron Mini. When I started to do some drawing on my Mini, I couldn't stand it anymore and have tested two workable solutions.
1. Put on a "rubber finger tip" on the finger you use for tapping the button. These can be purchased at office supply stores for handling paper. Or use the finger tip from a rubber glove. This insulates the tapping finger from the touchpad and makes it less likely to trigger a jump.
2. Put one or 2 layers of transparent tape over the button part of the touchpad. Again, this acts as an electrical insulator, and the mouse won't jump when you use the button area.
rphunter
5 Posts
1
March 15th, 2010 08:00
I found that even with two layers of clear package sealing tape, AND a layer of duct tape, the touchpad STILL sensed my finger movements! So, I decided to let my subconscious work on it, laid down on the sofa, and awoke with the solution. I cut a length of velcro loop fastener with adhesive backing, about 1/4 inch wide, and the length of the touchpad, and stuck it on across the button area. It works perfectly. Now using the touchpad is little worse than average touchpad, although this reduces the area quite a bit, I find it is not a problem in use.
Simple, cheap, and effective, and with my black case, it even looks ok. It does take a while to get used to the feel of this area, however.
Now, I still think that Dell needs to FIX this, by getting ElanTech to rewrite the driver to ignore motion, and touch inputs in the area of the buttons. Strangely, I looked at HP laptops, and they are now using the same stupid, and unusable, touchpad. DUMB! Don't the people that market these products EVER use them?
kesseret
3 Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 12:00
While this is a good idea this is not a real solution. DELL fix the problem! I can't even use my mini b/c of this stupid touchpad. I'd have returned it but you WOULDN'T ALLOW ME.
rphunter
5 Posts
0
June 16th, 2010 15:00
I certainly agree that Dell should fix this problem, but I am sure that if you do the modification I suggested, you will be able to use the touchpad well enough to make good use of the computer. I am using mine to write this. It does seem to fix the problem, if in a somewhat 'kludgey' way.
lukejr
2 Posts
0
July 18th, 2010 07:00
This is an ongoing issue, an issue that Dell have decided to ignore with the new revision of the Mini 1012. I purchase a few weeks ago. It's a great little netbook, but for the touchpad, it is just awful to use.
I like the suggestion of putting tape over the click area, and will try that. But Dell, you really need to rethink this design? Software update should be able to solve this, Apple have a similar concept, but it works.
If you go into the Mouse settings, the Dell settings are the very same for their other touchpads, they haven't customized it for the mini, and it's unique way of working.
Dell, please listen to your users and nearly every review of the Mini 10, the biggest issue we all have is the touchpad, fix this and you have a great netbook, if not the best on market.
Luke