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Laptop mouse don't work

juno
juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
It's not a real mouse, it's one of those finger track pad things.

I was happily typing along and then it started misbehaving. Like I'd move it somewhere and as soon as I let go it went back to where it started. And now it just won't move the cursor at all.

I can manage vaguely with keyboard shortcuts, and I have a spare mouse but I prefer my trackpad. Is it time to throw the laptop out of the window and get a new one?
Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
100% paid off :j

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Comments

  • intel
    intel Posts: 6,404 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    juno wrote:
    Is it time to throw the laptop out of the window and get a new one?

    No its time to restart the PC.
  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    intel wrote:
    No its time to restart the PC.
    I tried that, it didn't work :(
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j

  • sometimes the touchpad connector which attaches to the motherboard comes loose and causes erratic mouse behavior, try putting a bit of pressure on all areas of the keyboard with the palm of your hand, failing that remove the keyboard (sometimes there are screws labelled "K" securing it from the underside) and check that the ribbon cable from the touchpad to the motherboard is seated correctly
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • intel
    intel Posts: 6,404 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Right click the Synaptics pointing device near the PCs clock and change
    the pressure settings.
  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    albertross wrote:
    sometimes the touchpad connector which attaches to the motherboard comes loose and causes erratic mouse behavior, try putting a bit of pressure on all areas of the keyboard with the palm of your hand, failing that remove the keyboard (sometimes there are screws labelled "K" securing it from the underside) and check that the ribbon cable from the touchpad to the motherboard is seated correctly
    I can't find any K screws. But when I pressed the track pad the cursor flashed. Is that good?! It still won't move though
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j

  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    intel wrote:
    Right click the Synaptics pointing device near the PCs clock and change
    the pressure settings.
    I don't seem to have one of those. I'm on windows 98 if that makes a difference.
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j

  • Dell laptops label the screws with a K, so you know which ones to undo, other makes will be different. Most keyboards can be removed by prising them up, by using a screwdriver to press down lugs around the edge of the keyboard, but check underneath to see if there are any screws securing it as well..

    do you have a nipple mouse (under g&h keys) as well, or just a touchpad, what is the laptop model?

    the fact that the screen flashes indicates that the touchpad isn't completely dead, which is good.
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's a Dell Latitude CPI. It's just got a touchpad.
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j

  • It's a common problem on Dell's. If you follow what I've said, there is a 99% chance that you'll cure it...

    try the palm trick first, press down fairly hard on top of the keyboard (all over). Failing that, get a screwdriver, turn it over and look at all the screws on the bottom, next to them moulded into the case there should be a round logo similar to @ but with a K in the middle, unscrew all the screws marked K, turn it upright again, and prise the keyboard off carefully. There should be ribbon cables attached to the motherboard, reseat them, screw everything back together, cross your fingers, and turn it back on..

    Let me know how you get on...
    Ever get the feeling you are wasting your time? :rolleyes:
  • juno
    juno Posts: 6,553 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's working now! I didn't need to take the screws out, I just pressed really hard.
    Murphy's No More Pies Club #209

    Total debt [STRIKE]£4578.27[/STRIKE] £0.00 :j
    100% paid off :j

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