This is a known issue with your model. It is caused by the touchstick in the keyboard. The latest drivers will let you disable it, but cutting the cable is the best fix.
I have the same problem with my Inspiron 8200, about the same age as yours. I tried every remedy that Dell rec., but still had same problem. Then Dell advised to reinstall Windows, which I did, and guess what? I still have the same problem. It is driving me nuts! If you figure out a solution, please post. Another post referred to "cutting the cable" - does this mean opening the laptop and physically snipping the cable to the touchstick?
Make sure it is the cause before you cut. There is a service manual you can find at the notebook tab above. The KBD comes out with 5 screws from underneath. There are 2 thin cables going to the plug. The narrow one goes to the touchstick, it is the one to cut. Insulate the ends and refit. My reason to cut it, is if you try to unplug the end, you may damage it ( the KBD ) and no one will plug it in later. Also you wont have a plug fouling underneath. If in doubt, dont.
An update on my crazy floating cursor problem: I called Dell, and told the rep of my plight w/ my laptop - that problem still occurs after reinstalling Windows as per Dell's advice. My laptop still has 2 months of warranty left, luckily! A service tech is coming out to replace the wrist rests, which, according to the rep, is supposed to fix this known problem. I will post after the change is complete - hopefully it will be successful!
I hope that fixes it, if they dont replace the KBD, get back to them if it still plays up. I dont know why, but with known hardware issues they always want a reload done.
A Dell tech came out and replaced the wrist rests, which included the connection to the pointer stick device. He said that he had the same problem with his laptop. So far, so good. I hope it keeps working!:smileyvery-happy:
I have an Inspiron 8200, with an expired warranty and am experiencing the same problem with my mouse. I have attached an optical mouse to the usb port shortly after I bought the system and have only used the touchpad and tracking stick occasionally.
Dell support told me to update the touchpad driver, which I did - no help. Then they said I have to call the "outside warranty" division of tech support as I need to replace a component - the touchpad. I don't want to use the touchpad, and would rather disable it, is there a way I can do that and still use the external mouse?
I haven't called to order any new components yet, I wanted to see who else out there had the same problem and what solved it. Boy is it driving me NUTS!
If you search the Dell support website for this problem, you will find an algorithm to follow to attempt to fix the issue. I did it all, unfortunately it did not help with my issue. Your alternative is to order the part and fix it yourself, or hire a tech to do it for you. Around here, most charge $30 per hour to come to you. There are also computer repair places that should be able to do it also. The directions for disassembly/reassembly are online as well. It only took 15 or 20 minutes for the tech to complete the job.
Good luck, I know it is frustrating!:smileyvery-happy:
So do I want to replace the KBD? Or Touchpad? or Wrist rest area?? And If I take it somewhere to be fixed, would that place need to "order" DELL parts to fix it (hence a longer wait)? Im thinking of ordering the parts and replacing them myself (with help) from a local computer nut.
The touch pad comes as a part of the palm-rest. In the C6xx often the cause is the touchstick in the KBD. In the C8xx the touchpad will often cause the problem. First decide which is the cause. With the latest drivers, you can disable them one at a time. If you leave the bad one disabled, the pointer will be erratic, as it still gets the input. but doesnt use it. If you cant disable it, unplug the keyboard and use an external one. Be sure to put the old one back in, as pressure from the retaining screws could be causing the problem. ( by flexing the palm-rest ) The next to unplug is the palmrest. This will also stop the touchstick in most models. In some cases you can unplug the touchpad itself, also with the C8xx when you unplug the palm-rest, the speakers and NVRam battery will be disconnected. The reason I suggest cutting the cable, is you risk damage trying to unplug it, and the connection may foul underneath. Your call. Be sure to insulate the ends. Often a tap on top of the touchstick will stop the wandering, which can help Diagnose the fault. You can buy replacement parts from Dell, but I find Parts-People are easier to deal with. ( take note Dell ! )
The Wristpad area includes the touchstick connection. I did not replace the KBD. I would order the part and either do it yourself or w/ help from a "computer person"...it should cost less.
UPDATE! I took my Inspiron 8200 to the "geek squad" computer repair dept. and had them disable the touchstick. So far, SO GOOD!! It only cost 41.50 - but it was worth every penny! Thank you Andiros and Chris for all your useful information! I printed the message thread, and took it with me to show them that it IS an issue with other laptops. I told them what I thought (and you guys) was wrong....and just asked that they disable it. They were done in less than an hour, and cleaned the dust out of the machine as long as they had it apart. What a relief! And what a pain that problem was! Now I'm hoping for the best!!
While working for companies over the last decade that wanted a cheap laptop for their sales force, I've run into this problem on every dell model ever used. My current company acquired my last and wouldn't even take the dell's back, they let the employees keep them. So here I am with a c610, reinstalled with W2K3 to learn web design and of course the same old problem. Basically installing the driver that allows you to disable all mice except your external fixes this problem. My new company supplied me with 2 new laptops almost 2 years ago now and I've never had this problem on any OS. My new employer and laptop provider....Hewlett Packard.
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
December 31st, 2005 01:00
Hi,
This is a known issue with your model. It is caused by the touchstick in the keyboard. The latest drivers will let you disable it, but cutting the cable is the best fix.
Regards Chris
andiros
6 Posts
0
January 4th, 2006 12:00
jujuberich,
I have the same problem with my Inspiron 8200, about the same age as yours. I tried every remedy that Dell rec., but still had same problem. Then Dell advised to reinstall Windows, which I did, and guess what? I still have the same problem. It is driving me nuts! If you figure out a solution, please post. Another post referred to "cutting the cable" - does this mean opening the laptop and physically snipping the cable to the touchstick?
Thanks,
andiros
jujuberich
3 Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 04:00
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 07:00
Hi,
Make sure it is the cause before you cut. There is a service manual you can find at the notebook tab above. The KBD comes out with 5 screws from underneath. There are 2 thin cables going to the plug. The narrow one goes to the touchstick, it is the one to cut. Insulate the ends and refit. My reason to cut it, is if you try to unplug the end, you may damage it ( the KBD ) and no one will plug it in later. Also you wont have a plug fouling underneath. If in doubt, dont.
andiros
6 Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 11:00
An update on my crazy floating cursor problem: I called Dell, and told the rep of my plight w/ my laptop - that problem still occurs after reinstalling Windows as per Dell's advice. My laptop still has 2 months of warranty left, luckily! A service tech is coming out to replace the wrist rests, which, according to the rep, is supposed to fix this known problem. I will post after the change is complete - hopefully it will be successful!
Andiros:smileyvery-happy:
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 18:00
andiros
6 Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 20:00
Hi Chris,
A Dell tech came out and replaced the wrist rests, which included the connection to the pointer stick device. He said that he had the same problem with his laptop. So far, so good. I hope it keeps working!:smileyvery-happy:
Andiros
momandmushka
3 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 00:00
Hello,
I have an Inspiron 8200, with an expired warranty and am experiencing the same problem with my mouse. I have attached an optical mouse to the usb port shortly after I bought the system and have only used the touchpad and tracking stick occasionally.
Dell support told me to update the touchpad driver, which I did - no help. Then they said I have to call the "outside warranty" division of tech support as I need to replace a component - the touchpad. I don't want to use the touchpad, and would rather disable it, is there a way I can do that and still use the external mouse?
I haven't called to order any new components yet, I wanted to see who else out there had the same problem and what solved it. Boy is it driving me NUTS!
Any help would be appreciated.
Kat
andiros
6 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 00:00
Kat,
If you search the Dell support website for this problem, you will find an algorithm to follow to attempt to fix the issue. I did it all, unfortunately it did not help with my issue. Your alternative is to order the part and fix it yourself, or hire a tech to do it for you. Around here, most charge $30 per hour to come to you. There are also computer repair places that should be able to do it also. The directions for disassembly/reassembly are online as well. It only took 15 or 20 minutes for the tech to complete the job.
Good luck, I know it is frustrating!:smileyvery-happy:
Andiros
momandmushka
3 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 13:00
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 18:00
Hi,
The touch pad comes as a part of the palm-rest. In the C6xx often the cause is the touchstick in the KBD. In the C8xx the touchpad will often cause the problem. First decide which is the cause. With the latest drivers, you can disable them one at a time. If you leave the bad one disabled, the pointer will be erratic, as it still gets the input. but doesnt use it. If you cant disable it, unplug the keyboard and use an external one. Be sure to put the old one back in, as pressure from the retaining screws could be causing the problem. ( by flexing the palm-rest ) The next to unplug is the palmrest. This will also stop the touchstick in most models. In some cases you can unplug the touchpad itself, also with the C8xx when you unplug the palm-rest, the speakers and NVRam battery will be disconnected. The reason I suggest cutting the cable, is you risk damage trying to unplug it, and the connection may foul underneath. Your call. Be sure to insulate the ends. Often a tap on top of the touchstick will stop the wandering, which can help Diagnose the fault. You can buy replacement parts from Dell, but I find Parts-People are easier to deal with. ( take note Dell ! )
Regards Chris
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 18:00
Hi,
In my last Post I was thinking of the Latitude equivalents.
C600 I4000
Message Edited by AussieChris on 01-07-2006 06:36 AM
andiros
6 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 20:00
Kat,
The Wristpad area includes the touchstick connection. I did not replace the KBD. I would order the part and either do it yourself or w/ help from a "computer person"...it should cost less.
Good luck!
Andiros
momandmushka
3 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 20:00
Jammer63
1 Message
0
January 19th, 2006 22:00