Bizarre Studio 1458 issue: Zoom, volume, monitor, wireless

Question

An issue has cropped up with my Dell Studio 1458 in just the past couple of months. This issue happens both when I am using the touchpad AND when I am not touching the computer at all (really). A variety of things will happen, sometimes all at once and sometimes just a few together. - Sudden launch of Magnifier program, which zooms screen to 300% - Menu appears that shows other options for display (computer only, duplicate, extend, projector only) - Volume level displays on screen - Numbers 65 and == are are typed on open text fields on current page, such as a Google search bar. (example: 6565 65 ==6 65 ===) - The wireless option comes up and often turns wireless off I've had no luck finding anyone online who has experienced a similar problem. A few people have had issues with the touchpad zoom and suggest double-clicking the touchpad icon and changing the zoom options. That option doesn't work for me, as I don't appear to have the Dell Touchpad but rather the 'Synaptics Pointing Device,' which does not have a zoom menu or any options to turn off the zoom that I can find. But in any case, I think this issue goes beyond zoom. Based on the fact that this can happen when I'm not touching the keyboard anywhere, my guess is that the laptop is getting some kind of input from the buttons on the side. I can sometimes (but only sometimes) replicate the problem if I touch the VGN and HDMI buttons with my finger. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated! It's a frustrating issue and I'm very happy with my laptop otherwise.

Hombre777 · Answer

I have the same problem....it started last week...just like you describe...exact same symptoms...even just now it typed 65 and showed the screen for display screens in a flash...usually the next thing that happens is an unwanted zoom to a huge display size.....let me know if you hear a solution.

thanks,

lesleyness · Answer

I have the same problem.. Did either of you get your issues resolved? Thanks so much Lesley

RachelTachel · Answer

After the problem only getting worse this fall to the point where the laptop was pretty much unusable, I met with the IT guy at my work to check some things out. He determined that it's not a software problem or settings issue or anything like that, so we ordered a new screen and a new keyboard (total cost for both was about $85) and will see if that solves the problem. I'll let you know how it goes!

lesleyness · Answer

I upgraded to windows 8 hoping it was software, then it got worse.. Called Microsoft and the help desk guy said his co-worker, an ex dell guy, said the wrist pad has been known to be a culprit.. That was yesterday.. it was going wicked haywire.. So, today my hubs took my laptop apart, as I cringed, and it's been working fine ever since, a total of 2 hours so far... maybe when he dismantled it, it blew dust off a connector or something... but I don't know how long it will last, so please let me know how you make out!

Hombre777 · Answer

I got a new motherboard installed from dell. That fixed it. It was under warranty.

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