Make sure your system is running the latest BIOS version and touchpad drivers. This should alleviate the difficulty.
Go to
http://support.dell.com Choose your country if you have not done this yet
Enter your service tag or choose your system type
Click on Downloads for your system
Select the proper category and locate the proper file that you need
BIOS updates will be listed under the Flash BIOS section.
Once you download the file, double-click on it to extract the files to a floppy disk and then reboot the system with the floppy disk inserted in the system to update the BIOS.
I loaded the latest synaptics touchpad driver and have changed nothing else. My cursor has not jumped once since I did that earlier this evening. I have typed enough that it usually would have jumped many times. I think the problem is fixed!
Robertino. Re your wild cursor. I've been trying to get mine fixed for several week now, and may have finally done it. I was on the phone with Dell for 3 hours today, and the problem appears to be gone. The guy ultimately had me "uncheck" all but a very few necessary programs from the Start menu,and he reversed the boot-up sequence from First to Second on the big Startup window....that's it. I've been typing for two hours now, and this pointer and cursor have both stayed right where they belong. I just hope it lasts. It sure is nice not having to chase and correct all those errors. Good luck.
This is a common complaint I have heard. It is caused by a number of things.
First step go to start, settings, control panel, mouse.
On the touch pad set palmcheck to max and sensitivity to minimum. Take the check off of Tap to click and tap and drag, change the pulldown bar to pointing stick and repeat these steps.
This works for most users. The thing to understand is that these devices are highly sensitive and many users have a heavy touch. With a touchpad, four buttons, and a trackstick that react to the slightest touch this can cause problems. I admit I've had trouble adjusting to using the touchpad. It isn't a design flaw though. I loan my system to my mother quite a bit. She has a light touch and has never reported a single problem to me. It's a matter of getting used to it or adjusting the settings to work for you.
download to a file in the root of c. extract the file to that location. Boot off a win98 cd or a win xp cd. do the start computer without cd rom support (for the win98 cd) or cancel out of the load xp now on the xp cd. both of these options should get you into a dos prompt you might have to mess arround with it a bit. From there change to the c drive by typing c: from there to a change directory command such as c: cd name of your file. from there you can run the program like you are on a floppy. all you have to do is a few simple dos commands. One word of advice make sure you have the right bios for your computer. if is is the worng one you will blow up your bios and will not be able to recover. it is easy to flash just be carefull that you are using the right version for your board.
I have the latest BIOS (A15 for Dell 8100), which by the way installs straight from hard disk and I have the latest touchpad drivers and the problem still exists.
I'd say that touchpad must be faulty hardware. The only way to correct this problem is to completely disable the touchpad and use a mouse.
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:
Suzanne
1 Rookie
•
90 Posts
0
May 16th, 2001 16:00
Make sure your system is running the latest BIOS version and touchpad drivers. This should alleviate the difficulty.
Go to http://support.dell.com
Choose your country if you have not done this yet
Enter your service tag or choose your system type
Click on Downloads for your system
Select the proper category and locate the proper file that you need
BIOS updates will be listed under the Flash BIOS section.
Once you download the file, double-click on it to extract the files to a floppy disk and then reboot the system with the floppy disk inserted in the system to update the BIOS.
rebertino`
4 Posts
0
May 17th, 2001 01:00
robert139
3 Posts
0
May 17th, 2001 22:00
Blackbird013
1 Message
0
May 20th, 2001 20:00
First step go to start, settings, control panel, mouse.
On the touch pad set palmcheck to max and sensitivity to minimum. Take the check off of Tap to click and tap and drag, change the pulldown bar to pointing stick and repeat these steps.
This works for most users. The thing to understand is that these devices are highly sensitive and many users have a heavy touch. With a touchpad, four buttons, and a trackstick that react to the slightest touch this can cause problems. I admit I've had trouble adjusting to using the touchpad. It isn't a design flaw though. I loan my system to my mother quite a bit. She has a light touch and has never reported a single problem to me. It's a matter of getting used to it or adjusting the settings to work for you.
Gerrys8100
5 Posts
0
March 26th, 2003 18:00
I do not have a floppy drive on my system. How do I update the BIOS without one?
Gerrys8100
5 Posts
0
May 22nd, 2003 14:00
Do you know for a fact that the latest BIOS has a fix for this specific problem? Or are you just taking a shot in the dark hoping it will help?
Updating the BIOS is not fun or easy (I do not have a floppy drive).
thanks,
Gerry
p.s. the jumping cursor problem is much more awful thing than you may realize. It is incredibly annoying!
jayfoo2
3 Posts
0
May 27th, 2003 20:00
trappedinnv
5 Posts
0
May 27th, 2003 21:00
trappedinnv
5 Posts
0
May 27th, 2003 21:00
download to a file in the root of c. extract the file to that location. Boot off a win98 cd or a win xp cd. do the start computer without cd rom support (for the win98 cd) or cancel out of the load xp now on the xp cd. both of these options should get you into a dos prompt you might have to mess arround with it a bit. From there change to the c drive by typing c: from there to a change directory command such as c: cd name of your file. from there you can run the program like you are on a floppy. all you have to do is a few simple dos commands. One word of advice make sure you have the right bios for your computer. if is is the worng one you will blow up your bios and will not be able to recover. it is easy to flash just be carefull that you are using the right version for your board.
Gerrys8100
5 Posts
0
May 27th, 2003 22:00
I'd say that touchpad must be faulty hardware. The only way to correct this problem is to completely disable the touchpad and use a mouse.
blackblackhamme
65 Posts
0
June 8th, 2003 19:00
LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16425.
LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=16253.
.
Message Edited by blackblackhammer on 06-09-2003 07:17 AM
blackblackhamme
65 Posts
0
March 9th, 2004 07:00
LINK: http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_input&message.id=20305.
*******************************************
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.
_
Message Edited by blackblackhammer on 03-09-2004 11:11 PM