GrannySue,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Users:

2. Remove the system from the docking station, if applicable.
4. Determine if there have been any recent hardware or software configuration changes.
6. Disconnect external peripherals.
8. Upgrade to or reinstall the latest touchpad drivers.
10. Flash / Upgrade the BIOS.
12. Change the sensitivity settings for the pointing device.
14. Apply pressure to the right of the touchpad.
16. Disable the touch-pad.
17. • Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
    • Double-click the Mouse icon.
    • The Mouse Properties window appears.
    • Click the Device Settings tab.
    • Click to highlight Pointing Stick and click Disable.
    • Click OK.

Further troubleshooting ideas can be found in this knowledgebase article.

One more idea, often third-party mouse drivers can cause performance issues with the system's touchpad. If you are using an external mouse and it requires additional drivers, I would suspect that these drivers are likely conflicting with those for the touch-pad. You should remove the drivers for both pointing devices and then reinstall those for the mouse that you wish to use.

HREF="http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1033230">this knowledgebase article.

A further idea, often third-party mouse drivers can cause performance issues with the system's touchpad. If you are using an external mouse and it requires additional drivers, I would suspect that these drivers are likely conflicting with those for the touch-pad. You should remove the drivers for both pointing devices and then reinstall those for the mouse that you wish to use.

 

I am having the same problem.  I tried all the solutions above.  I have an Inspiron 4100 w/XP pro.  My mouse pointer keeps floating up to the right corner of the screen.  I am pretty sure it is the touchpad that is the problem, but I can't figure out how to disable it.  The directions given above don't work for XP because there is no device settings tab.  Any other suggesttions?  Thanks for your time.

Message Edited by Michael Bushnell on 02-11-2004 07:54 PM

I have tried a lot of fixes I have seen here but none have worked.  It isn't a constant thing but sure is a hinderance when it is happening.  I have noticed one thing that will definitely start it. Physically changing from Drive A to Drive E. Other than that it does it at its pleasure. I'm using ME.  Got XP about 6mo. after this p.c. but have had so much trouble,  with this p.c. , I haven't put it on.  Granny

I fixed my problem Granny, you may want to try it. I went and downloaded the newest driver for my touchpad and when it installed I had the option of turning off the pointer stick and the touchpad.  When I turned off the pointer stick my pointer stopped jumping around on the screen.  Thank God because it was starting to get extremely annoying.

Hi, I have an inspiron 8000.

This notebook has a pointing stick + touchpad.


I WAS experiencing eratic cursor behaviour.

The HARDWARE problem(s) was RESOLVED by Dell under Part Only Warranty as follows:


"The WANDERING OFF BY ITSELF mouse POINTING ARROW problem":
Replacing my apparently faulty palm rest assembly (part number 9C938 A00) with the latest part number 06G500 rev A05 in June 2003 solved the cursor racing over the screen all the way to e.g. the corner of the screen problem.
(I think part 06G500 is for both the i8000 and the i8100.)



"cursor jumping around when typing" aka "erratic mouse self clicking" aka "random cursor jumps" problem:
A few months later,
replacing my apparently faulty keyboard (part number 03609Y rev A00) with the latest part number 03609Y rev A03 in December 2003 solved the unintentional jumping of the active cursor to other parts of the word processor whilst typing problem (aka "ghost clicks" or "cursor jumping" problem).


Cursor works fine now.



IN GENERAL:
-Run the Dell diagnostics and see if a hardware problem is located.

-The pointing stick nub between the g and h keys may be stuck - wiggle it a couple times

-Adjust the sensitivity of the mouse in the Mouse entry in the Device Manager. Drag the Touch Sensitivity towards Heavy Touch and the Palm Check towards Maximum.

-Disable the pointing stick for a few days, if the problem is gone the keyboard may need replacing or cables are not properly connected.
If the problem is not gone the palm rest unit may need replacing or cables are not properly connected.


Contact Dell Tech Support.
I think Dell gives great service.



Hereby 2 links on the "cursor jumping around when typing" aka "erratic mouse self clicking" aka "random cursor jumps" subject that may be related:

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16253.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16425.

For those interested in a link on "The WANDERING OFF BY ITSELF mouse POINTING ARROW problem" see:

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=12447.

See also the following 6 urls:

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=11052.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=7068.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16361.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=7362.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_upgrade&message.id=16000.

LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16577.

_

I have been reading this forum for almost 3 yrs. doing everything anyone suggested.  I have tried  a cordless usb mouse and a ps2 but when that pointer decides to float, it floats. I will NEVER own another Dell.