Dell Inspiron N5010 touchpad not working properly

Hi The_Driver,

This might be a possible driver or hardware issue. I would suggest a clean re-installation of the touchpad drivers.

• Open Device Manager (Start -- Control Panel -- Device Manager).
• Expand Mice and other pointing devices,right click on the Touchpad
• From the drop down menu, select “Uninstall”.
• Ensure to check the box “Delete driver software for this device”.
• Restart the computer.
• Then check for the touchpad drivers in Control Panel -> Add or Remove programs, possibly Synaptics might be mentioned, uninstall the driver.
• Restart the computer
• Now re-install the latest drivers from the following link http://dell.to/11iojrK -> type the Service tag of the computer -> select the operating system -> expand Mouse, Keyboard & Input Devices, download and install the driver.
• Restart the computer and check the functionality.

Hope this helps.

I expanded Mice and other pointing devices, but the only item listed underneath it was the PS/2 Compatible Mouse along with the USB mouse I'm using. Nevertheless, I uninstalled it. I also couldn't find the touchpad drivers/Synaptics under Add or Remove Programs. I did re-install the latest drivers, but that only led back to the original problem, which is the right-button still won't work.

Hi, a new problem has occurred. All of a sudden the usb mouse I've been using isn't working. When i turn on the laptop, the left-click button works like the right-click button on the desktop only. Other than that, I can only move the cursor with the touchpad. When I plug in my usb mouse, I can control the cursor with both the touchpad and mouse, but now can only left-click with the touchpad and right-click with the mouse; the other buttons arent working.

I found a way for the usb mouse to work. If I click and hold the right-button momentarily it works. However, this wasnt the way it was working and I haven't done anything, like install/uninstall a program, to explain it.

Hi The_Driver,

This seems to be a hardware failure. Seems like the button is not working any more. Please check the touchpad button if they are stuck.

However, check the following settings. Go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Mouse. Ensure that both Switch primary and secondary buttons and Turn on ClickLock are unchecked.

The right button doesn't seem to be stuck or loose. Both boxes are unchecked. What can I do to fix this and why did it affect my usb mouse?

Hi The_Driver,

Thank you for the response. As mentioned in my last response, it seems to be a hardware failure and the touchpad may have to be replaced. You can check the warranty status online. Click on the link http://dell.to/12x7FDD -> type the service tag of your computer and click on Warranty tab and let me know the status.

Hi, I really dont think thats the problem. I think I may have a virus.

I'm the only person with access to my laptop and today when I came home from work there was an emoticon, this one to be precise "=-]"  typed on a sticky note on my desktop. What does this mean?

Furthermore, I ran two scans and both found nothing which is odd because they always find tracking cookies which they delete.

Hi The_Driver,

I understand your perspective. However, the symptoms point towards hardware failure. Also, the troubleshooting that we performed did not produce any positive results.

If you suspect that there is a virus, you may try perform PC Restore. Please refer How to restore your Windows 7 computer to factory settings http://dell.to/16GQS5e.

Note: This step leads to complete data loss including pictures, music files, videos, documents and applications. Please disconnect any external peripherals as well.

If you still experience the same issue, then replacing the touchpad should be the next step.

How much does the touchpad cost and if I replace and it proves not to work can I return it?

Hi The_Driver,

I would be able to comment on that. Let me know if your system is under warranty. I will help you in getting the laptop fixed.

If the warranty has expired, you may contact our Out of warranty dept on 1-800-288-4410 (for USA only). If you are in a different country, then click on the link http://dell.to/ZU2f5L -> choose your country from the top left hand side -> click on 'Contact us' to get the contact information.