
03-17-2009, 08:39 AM
|
|
|
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,521 posts, read 26,720,663 times
Reputation: 88564
|
|
I'm sorry that I am about to mangle the "computer terms". I have a Dell laptop and normally I love it. Once in awhile, like right now, my mouse(?) doesn't want to work. It's the control in the middle below my keyboard. It's finger touch. Anyway every so often it doesn't want to move my arrow when I want the arrow to move.
I hope this is clear. Any ideas on what needs to be done to fix this? It has done this "sometimes" for over a year.
|

03-17-2009, 09:18 AM
|
|
|
28,645 posts, read 40,622,302 times
Reputation: 37346
|
|
Well my first thought was it's a short trip.
But....
That behavior can be attributed to how heavy the load is on the computer. If a virus scan is running, you're on the Internet, Word and Excel are both open, and email is downloading, all at the same time, your computer is working hard. The mouse takes the back seat and has to wait it's turn. A wired mouse will do the same thing.
|

03-17-2009, 09:26 AM
|
|
|
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,521 posts, read 26,720,663 times
Reputation: 88564
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
Well my first thought was it's a short trip.
But....
That behavior can be attributed to how heavy the load is on the computer. If a virus scan is running, you're on the Internet, Word and Excel are both open, and email is downloading, all at the same time, your computer is working hard. The mouse takes the back seat and has to wait it's turn. A wired mouse will do the same thing.
|
Same load. It started first thing this morning when I turned it on. It's not slow I just can't move the mouse(pad) around.
|

03-17-2009, 09:28 AM
|
|
|
28,645 posts, read 40,622,302 times
Reputation: 37346
|
|
Has it been continuous or intermittent?
|

03-17-2009, 10:07 AM
|
|
|
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,521 posts, read 26,720,663 times
Reputation: 88564
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tek_Freek
Has it been continuous or intermittent?
|
Once it starts it is continuous. I just shut down to fold laundry, came back,turned the computer on again and it is a little better. Later it will most likely be fine. Maybe it's the button(pad)? Then it will be fine for a couple of weeks and then it starts acting up again but only for a day or so.
|

03-17-2009, 10:17 AM
|
|
|
573 posts, read 617,436 times
Reputation: 199
|
|
You did not indicate what versions of Windows you are using. I had a similar problem that turned out to be a runaway Window Help process. I decided just to disable the Windows Help Service. The problem went away.
|

03-17-2009, 10:44 AM
|
|
|
28,645 posts, read 40,622,302 times
Reputation: 37346
|
|
Check the sensitivity
Start/Control Panel/Mouse
I think..
I have mine turned off because I can't work on the laptop with it on. As a result it doesn't show up in Control Panel.
I hold my hands as far away as possible when I type and the cursor still moves. If I turn the sensitivity any lower it won't respond to my finger. Very frustrating so I use a USB mouse.
Newegg.com - Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 - Mouse
This is the one I use. The USB connector plugs into the back of the mouse and turns it off so the battery doesn't run down so fast. My wife and I both use them. I have large hands, hers are small and it fits both of us quite well.
|

03-17-2009, 11:21 AM
|
|
|
Location: Somewhere in northern Alabama
18,573 posts, read 55,502,062 times
Reputation: 32361
|
|
Touchpads are often problematic. Get a USB mouse and turn the touchpad off.
|

03-17-2009, 07:02 PM
|
|
|
Location: kcmo
712 posts, read 1,963,989 times
Reputation: 373
|
|
Yep, you could have a bad touch.. you also as stated above can have background programs (unlikely but possible)
The simple test is yes to get pop in a external mouse.. (though maybe not the cheapest) if you have background programs.. you're going to have eliminate the one(s) causing it.. I have a guide buried in a thread but you'll have to search for it or ask me for a url.. (should this be the cause)
I highly recommend if you have Bluetooth onboard to pick up a Bluetooth wireless mouse.. also microsoft's latest mouse.. has a very small USB wireless presence.. and it's important when you jack things into the USB slot that when you move the laptop on battery you don't ram those into doors, counters etc. or you break the wireless part of a wireless mouse.. (lost more bluetooth dongles then I care to count)
|

03-17-2009, 08:17 PM
|
|
|
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,521 posts, read 26,720,663 times
Reputation: 88564
|
|
Thank you all for the replies. Now everything is back to normal. I will have to have my DH read your replies and see if he can fix it.
Thank you
Lisa
|
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
|
|