Dell Touchpad Buttons Malfunctioning

Steps to narrow down the problem:

1.boot into safe mode - same problem?

NO: it's a windows problem - run msconfig to disable startup items and/or run Taskmanager to end processes - you already pointed out that you are experienced enough with that kind of stuff

YES: continue with step 2/3

2.Use Dell Diagnostics to test your touchpad - you can test the left and right key of functionality and/or

3.create a bootable USB stick with LinuxMint - boot into Linux - use the touchpad

4.If your touchpad works fine in Step 2 and 3 you know for sure it's a problem with your current windows configuration as both steps are independent of windows.

===================================================

to run Dell Diagnostics: press F12 at power up or if it dosn't work boot from Dell "Driver and Utility disc"

to create a bootable USB stick :www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator

By the way : I just "successfully" simulated your problem on my system inspiron 1545

I opened the Dell touchpad software and could easily change the settings for the buttons so that they behave the same way.As you ruled out any setting problems on your machine you might want to go ahead with the suggestions in my previous post.

I wish I could help you with this. All I can do is offer my data points on the same problem. Also, be advised that I am really a Mac guy and only use this Dell because I'm forced to for work. So, I have little knowledge of the inner "workings" of the Dell and Windows (XP in my case).

My symptoms:

 - the bottom touchpad buttons seem to have new functions:

   - the left button used to act like a right button, it no longer does; it seems to act like a scroll-wheel button sometimes

   - the right button (and left button) will change input focus if I click

 - I have three buttons above the touchpad that are meant to go with the tiny joystick in the middle of the keyboard:

    - those buttons work fine

 - an external mouse works fine

 - Dell Latitude E6500 (about 2 years old)

 - problem started about a month ago (I don't remember any specific event)

 - I have installed all kinds of third party apps and tools (GoScreen, ObjectDock, LightScreen, Desktop Calendar, etc). But the problem did not seem to start with the install or upgrade of any of those apps

 - I accept the automatic updates that appear at least weekly (on the Mac this is perfectly safe... not sure about PCs)

 - it's interesting that the buttons seem to work within certain apps like Labview.  But, in Firefox, the left button kills a tab.

I have tried (again, with very little knowledge) messing with Dell Control Point, BIOS and even poked around with regEdit (but didn't find anything worth changing). I'm reluctant to roll back drivers and re-install (call me chicken... I can just see this going further south)

MicroTest:

- I booted in Safe Mode and got the same symptoms

- I'm not sure if I would benefit from step 2 because I see that the buttons work, they just have the wrong functions

- I haven't tried LinuxMint... I will have to do some research on this (I have worked with Linux, but not on this company computer).

I'm guessing that Labview grabs the interrupts for the buttons and assigns it's own functions to them. Interesting that Netscape would have problems.... is that maybe a Java thing (more protective isolation from the hardware)?

EngRMP:

You should have started a new thread as my previous answers were a response to "JasonWoodfill's" message and his N5030.

Anyway:

1.Download the "Service Manual" and more importantly the "Setup and Quick Reference Guide "

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

2.From your posting I know you are a little bit "scared" to mess around with your system - don't be as long as you have a backup of your personal data.

3.In the "Setup and Quick Reference Guide " read section "Troubleshooting" and section "Reinstalling Software"

to make yourself familiar with your system and the possibilities you have to fix problems - understanding these sections will give you much more confidence.

4.Under  section "Setup and Quick Reference Guide" you will find information about

  a: Windows System Restore and

  b: Dell Factory Image Restore(this will only work if you have never repartitioned/replaced your hard drive)

5.In your case I am particular interested in "Windows System Restore" because you wrote that your problem started just a month ago.Windows XP,Vista and Win7 include a software tool - System restore - which periodically or before installing new programs creates so called "restore points" in case something goes wrong.With time you will have a couple of restore points available to which you can roll back your system.

Windows System Restore does not delete personal data but restores important system related files like registry etc.

You will of course lose programs or updates that you installed after the restore point was created-that needs to be reinstalled.

Run Windows System Restore and see what it can do for you......

System Restore is a reliable tool but it is always good to have a backup of personal data.

One last note: I am not a Dell expert - just a simple user !

Thanks MicroTest:

- sorry, I thought my info was adding to the general topic and issue... I'll know better, next time.

- thanks much for the detailed reply. I'll do the suggested research and see if I can muster the courage to ask Windows to roll back a few months... I'll let you know what I find. I do a complete disk clone periodically so I can get back to this point if I need to.

 - I understand that you're just suggesting a plan of attack... I won't hold you responsible if my PC wipes out all of Windows and ends up only running DOS 6.0... but don't expect a Christmas card ;>)

- if this doesn't work I might take this as an "opportunity" to migrate to Win7 (I've heard that I have to reinstall all of my apps and data... sounds wonderful).

Regarding Backup and Cloning:

What about a free backup software that creates a single compressed image file of your most important partitions?

www.todo-backup.com/.../free-backup-software.htm

With this product I am able to compress my 60GByte windows7 partition(33GByte in use)down to 12GByte within 50 minutes and restore it back in less than 15 minutes....(to be correct - I use an older version of the backup program-don't really know how good the new one is)

=====================================================================

another useful link:

en.community.dell.com/.../1454.aspx

=====================================================================

migrating to win7 : 2Gbyte Ram at least /some WinXP programs might not run in Win7