MT176,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

This issue is usually a driver issue.  If you a using an external mouse that requires additional drivers, I would suspect that these drivers are conflicting with those for the touch-pad.  You should remove the drivers for both pointing devices and then reinstall those for the pointing device that you wish to use. 

I have an Inspiron 8600 and am having the same-type of problem MT176 described when I use a Microsoft Notebook Optical mouse that I just plug in when I am using my computer away from my port replicator. I have no control over the mouse and it will float diagonally --then I can gain control momentarily. The problem does not occur when I am using my port replicator, and has just started suddenly. I had previously used the Microsoft Notebook Optical mouse with no problem. There is no driver for the Microsoft Optical Mouse. Any help appreciated.

I use a full compliant and software loaded into the drive and followed instructions exactly, Logitech 'cordless' optical wheel mouse with ball, not only does it go where I point; the computer tells me when my batteries are low and need replacement. I have had this device for over 4 months using the computer all day long and the batteries are still good! This mouse doesn't move the Radio frequency receiver is to the left of the computer, mouse that I have is sitting on the legs up loungers arms, 'not' on my lap. I bought this half moon shape thin board online it is held by the chairs arms and my tummy keeps it level as I move one in a while, there is no character on the charmap that would give you the bottom part of a smilie.For those of you that are having spointers slide, it's called gravity; that's why I use the board against my tummy to keep it level.

The cordless mouse doesn't act like the one built it to your laptop or one you have a wire with on a mouse pad, the right or or if your left handed ball makes the cursur move about and you use your thumb to click with or for right clicks that is below the dark red ball. I like this it's like it is married to the laptop it has a lock on top that will drag and you will not lose it at all, you also can go forward or backwords on pages that you have viewed. I do not stand to gain 1 red cent but Logitech really made a good pointing device for the Dell I-8500 or ?! I would never go back to using a wired mouse that you have to move this so easy, you can have it on the chairs arm and never move it ecept for a change of batteries every 4 months or so. IMHO :-)