inspiron 1545 right click not working and I'm clueless!

What happens when you use a USB mouse? Does the right-click work?

Run Dell Diagnostics =>

>Test System

>Custom Test

>Pointing Device

>PS/2 mouse

use the graphical interface to test each single touchpad button.

If you don't have access to Dell Diagnostics (F12) after installing win7 use the bootable Dell "Driver and Utillty" CDrom

I did use dell diagnostics and the right button failed ( no reaction when pressed) when I tested both the old and new buttons. The left button and touchpad worked for both.

Yes, when I use a usb mouse the right click does work.

Dell Diagnostics is an OS independent diagnostic tool.If the touchpad fails the test then either the touchpad  or one of the chips on the mainboard is broken.You have already replaced the touchpad so it looks like the mainboard is the culprit.

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Did the the palmrest come with a new cable attached to it or did you have to use the old cable?In the latter case replace the old cable - if possible.Also make sure that the connector on the mainboard is not damaged or "dirty"

The USB port and the "touchpad port" are using different hardware/chips that might explain why an external mouse works fine.

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Also run the extended test if you haven't done that already

Dell Diagnostics is a nice program to test hardware but unfortunately it is not a "wonder tool".In some cases it won't be able to detect faulty parts like broken wires to a simple switch,connector etc. (it depends on the circuitry of course).

To my mind there is something wrong with the mainboard.In a list ditch attempt I would try putting some gentle pressure on the mainboard connector or moving the cable while pressing the button at the same time - it might be just a simple loose connection(almost invisible to the naked eye)-bad soldering whatsoever.

Thanks so much for your help!  I am exhausted with this computer right now  so it'll be a day or so before I open it up again, but I will try what you suggested.

The palmrest came with a new cable attached and the connector does not appear to be either damaged or dirty.  Also, I ran the extended test and everything passed.

A possible 5-minute software solution - looks complicated but is dead simple !

1.download the  program autohotkey.exe (Version 1.0.48.05) and install it

  http://www.autohotkey.com/

>On the desktop click the right mouse button(use external USB mouse) ,click "New" and then

 "AutoHotkey Script"

>name the new file "mouse.ahk"

>right click on the new file

>click "Edit Script"

>at the very end insert the following line  => "APPSKEY::rbutton" (without quotation marks)

>save the file

APPSKEY stands for Application key.This is the key between the right "Ctrl" and the left "Arrow"-key

The code "APPSKEY::rbutton" makes the the APPKEY behave like the right mouse or touchpad button.

Double click the file "mouse.ahk" - and test if you can use the APPSKEY as a right mouse key replacement.

After double clicking you'll see a new green icon in the system tray - you can use it to exit the script.

>I have the same laptop as you and it works on my machine.

>If it works it is also possible to use a different key - in case you need the APPSKEY

>Moving the script into the "start up" folder will automatically run the script-so you don't have to run it manually.

As I wrote earlier I think that the mainboard is in trouble and without technical experience it is almost impossible to even fix a loose wiring.If autohotkey works stick to it......

Thanks for the suggestion but that key already pulls the context menus. I have been using the key, I was just checking to see if there was a solution for the mouse button problem.

BRILLIANT!!!!!  Simple and 100% effective.  I'm already thinking of other scripts I can create