Mouse button not registering clicks consistently

Any one heard of a problem with the left mouse button not registering clicks periodically? And then registering them back to back really quickly, which is interpreted as a double-click by the application? I don't think tapping the touchpad has the same problem, but I have just started getting into the habit of using that. I dont think the right mouse button has the problem either, but you don't use that button as much. I have not tried hooking up an external mouse because I do not have a USB mouse (been using laptops with touchpads too long).

 

I have an Inspiron 2200, running XP SP 2 - Home edition. I have run the BIOS diagnostic with no reported problems.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

Stephen