Cursor

[siopybont]

Since our computer problems we have what can only be described as a jumping cursor! Any help in rectifying this irritating problem would really be appreciated. Thanks.

[vk4wot]

Hello folks, try this which I found on a help forum.

check your mouse options under Control Panel -> Mouse -> Pointer Options -> Snap To, and ensure that the snap to box is unchecked.

Also update mouse drivers or try another mouse. After that they go on about re formatting and re installing the operating system. A bit drastic i would think.

Cheers and good luck. Kevin

[siopybont]

One big problem Kevin - we don't use a mouse!

[vk4wot]

oops, sorry about that. I'll look again, I take it you're using a laptop then. Updating the drivers may help. I don't think I could use a computer without a mouse any more, I just got myself a laptop and luckily had a spare mouse.
Cheers, Kevin

[ForumLead]

Although you may be using a laptop with a touchpad, it's still referred to as a mouse, even though there's no 'real' mouse.

What do you mean by jumping? Do you mean animated? Or does what Kevin mentioned match what you're seeing?

If it IS animated, you can change it to via:

START | Control Panel | Mouse | Pointers |

then select the Windows Default from the Scheme drop-down box.

David

[siopybont]

Thanks Dave, We will keep our fingers crossed!

[siopybont]

Well, we have tried everything and it still has a mind of its own.

[Sionned]

Ann, if it is, in fact, a touchpad you're using, is it possible that when you're typing and such that a stray thumb hits it? It can send the cursor off in another direction without you realizing it. I've had that problem so much that I've covered the touchpad on my laptop and use a mouse instead.

Sionned

[vk4wot]

Helo Ann & Maldwyn. Here's what it says abot the mouse and pointers in my laptop repair manual

"The mouse pointer is moving when I didn't move it?

If you have this problem on a system with an integrated pointing device (touchpad or pointing stick), there are several possible reasons for this problem:

Defective cap on the pointing stick (TrackPoint and so on)

Defective pointing stick (TrackPoint and so on)

Accidental tapping of the pointing stick or touchpad

Defective touchpad

To solve this problem, you should first determine whether your laptop uses a touchpad or a pointing stick (such as the IBM TrackPoint or Toshiba AccuPoint). If your laptop uses a pointing stick, try replacing the cap over the pointing stick (see Chapter 13, "Keyboards and Pointing Devices," for sources for replacement TrackPoint III/IV caps, which also work on earlier TrackPoint keyboards and the Toshiba AccuPoint).

If the pointer continues to drift on its own after you replace the TrackPoint/AccuPoint cap, replace the keyboard. The pointing stick is built in to the keyboard.

If you experience pointer drift with a system using a touchpad, replace the touchpad (usually a different subassembly than the keyboard).

However, before you jump to conclusions about pointer drift, watch your typing! It's very easy to bump a touchpad with your thumbs while you're typing; most touchpads are so sensitive that you might not even notice when your thumbs or fingers brush the surface. A pointing stick can also be bumped accidentally, but in my experience it's harder to overlook the fact you nudged it when typing.

If you're still not sure you're having real problems with your system's touchpad, put cardboard over it and work with keyboard commands for a while. If your cursor always stays where it's supposed to, you've been bumping the touchpad without realizing it. However, if the cursor is still roving when you can't touch the touchpad, it's time for a touchpad replacement.

If you prefer to use a separate pointing device that's plugged into the computer's PS/2 or USB port, you might want to disable the built-in touchpad or pointing stick with the laptop's BIOS Setup or Windows-based configuration program. Although some systems automatically disable the onboard touchpad or pointing stick when you plug in an external pointing device, others don't.

Tip

Some late-model IBM laptops feature both a touchpad and a TrackPoint pointing stick. You can use both, or disable one or the other, through the Windows-based configuration utility."

Hope this may help. Otherwise a re-format may be in order. I have done that many times on my main pc but not yet on the laptop...touch wood.

Hwyl, Kevin

ps if you would like a copy of the manual I'm sure i could send it over bear in mind it's 8.6 Mb in size