Member Avatar for pirooz

Hi
I bought a presario x1000 (intel centrino) equped with win xp. From the git go I have had a serious problem with the way it handles typing. When i am typing anything in any word processor, suddenly the cursor jumps to a different location (other than the point where it was just an instant before) and continues to type from that location. needless to say this garbles up anything I am trying to type and it slows me down quite a bit.
Another annoying problem is that sometimes the cursor itself decides to predict and anticipate what i wanna do. for example if it just passingly goes over an active field it activates it (i.e. clicks on it) and does things I dont wanna be doing. Almost as if it decides on its own what it wants to do.
Any idea as to why this is happening?
thanks for any assistance from you all in advance.
Pirooz

ps: if I am posting in the wrong section please forgive

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by debramn

Dani AI

Generated

This thread describes classic input confusion — typed text jumping and fields activating when the pointer grazes them — which most often comes from accidental touchpad input, aggressive touchpad drivers, or intermittent hardware. The earlier comments from (sticky-key possibility), (touchpad contact), (driver/sensitivity) and / (tap/scroll disable and Device Manager workaround) cover the basics. The following adds a short, practical diagnostic sequence and a few less-obvious checks to pin the cause down.

Diagnostic sequence:

  1. Reproduce in a plain editor (Notepad). Watch the pointer; a tiny pointer move immediately before a jump points to a pointer device.
  2. Boot Windows into Safe Mode (F8 on XP) and test typing. If the problem disappears, third‑party drivers are likely.
  3. Boot a Linux/Live USB session and test. Persistence outside Windows indicates hardware.
  4. Run the On‑Screen Keyboard (osk) or a simple key-tester to detect stuck arrows, Tab, or modifier keys that would move the insertion point.

Driver and settings checklist: uninstall any vendor touchpad driver so Windows falls back to the generic PS/2 driver, then reinstall the latest vendor/Synaptics or Alps driver (prefer vendor/driver pages rather than Windows Update). In the touchpad control panel look for palm-rejection options labelled “PalmCheck”, “SmartSense”, “Disable while typing” or similar; increase the rejection/delay and reduce sensitivity. Turn off any tap-to-click, tap-zones or edge-scroll features (a quick test often used by ). Note: some installers hide touchpad settings when an external mouse is attached, as observed.

Hardware and service notes: clean the pad/edges with compressed air and a lint-free cloth; check for moisture or grease. If the fault survives a Live OS and Safe Mode, suspect a failing touchpad/keyboard ribbon or internal switch and consider warranty/repair — documenting the Live-OS result makes it easier to escalate with support.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Member Avatar for DuncanIdaho

Sounds like you have a sticky key, (tab key maybe?). Either that, or you have built in 'funtions' in that keyboard and its driver that are doing things you'd rather it didn't.

Look in your control panel, under Printers and Other hardware, look for Keyboard, open it up and see if there's any options you can change. If there aren't many options there, look in your System Tray, see if there's a little program in there to adjust the keyboard settings.

If that doesn't do it:

Try a different keyboard.

One last thing, is it wireless? If so, it could be interference of some kind.

Member Avatar for qt 3.14159

Since it has Centrino, I'm assuming it's a laptop?

Is there any chance you're dragging your hand across the touchpad or mouse keys and confusing it?

Member Avatar for antioed

If I'm looking at the right laptop it looks like you've got a touchpad. Depending on the software you're using there are some options you could try setting to be more conducive to your style of computing. I'd be willing to bet that the problems you are having are because of the touchpad...I've had the same problems myself. I think it's probably partly due to the touchpad being new; in my experience a new touchpad tends to be "over" sensitive. Software companies that make input device software, such as Synaptics or Alps, usually give you some options for dealing with this. Update the touchpad software from the Compaq site. Then in the Control Panel under Mouse you should get some options to configure. Keep in mind that if you have an external mouse plugged in you probably won't get the options for the touchpad stuff.

Possible solutions:

- Disable the touchpad, use an external mouse
- Change the sensitivity of the touchpad (My recommendation)
- Tape a business card over the touchpad (ok, this is a joke but I've seen a lot of end users doing this to avoid the problems you're having, might be a quick way to test if this actually is the problem you are having...)

...ok so another possibility is that you're seeing a compatibility issue with new hardware - which is pretty common for new models. If that were the case you would want to get with Compaq to update to the latest BIOS, chipset and driver revisions. If this is a known issue with that machine they should know about it, if they don't make sure you take down names and notes and don't hesitate to get a manager on the phone and take down his/her name too...should you find out it is a known issue later down the road they should compensate you for your time and trouble. I know it sounds like an uptight way to approach these folks but trust me - all they care about is getting you off the phone. Good luck!

Member Avatar for pirooz

Hi
Thanks very much for replying. I will look to see if there are any sticky keys. I rather doubt it but it is worht a shot. The little programmin the system tray sounds promissing. Thanks for your suggestion i wil try that too.
Regards
Pirooz


Sounds like you have a sticky key, (tab key maybe?). Either that, or you have built in 'funtions' in that keyboard and its driver that are doing things you'd rather it didn't.

Look in your control panel, under Printers and Other hardware, look for Keyboard, open it up and see if there's any options you can change. If there aren't many options there, look in your System Tray, see if there's a little program in there to adjust the keyboard settings.

If that doesn't do it:

Try a different keyboard.

One last thing, is it wireless? If so, it could be interference of some kind.

Member Avatar for pirooz

Hi
I had not thought of the touch pad ! yet that is probably because i hardly ever use it at all. I much prefer a mouse. Still the times i have used it it has behaved very well. i will proceed to disable it . hopefully a miracle will happen. Getting together with Compaq has been tough as getting a techie (a live one) has been exteremely tough. f the touch pad does not provide the answer i will have to try that again.
many thaks for yor time and analysis provided.
regards
Pirooz

If I'm looking at the right laptop it looks like you've got a touchpad. Depending on the software you're using there are some options you could try setting to be more conducive to your style of computing. I'd be willing to bet that the problems you are having are because of the touchpad...I've had the same problems myself. I think it's probably partly due to the touchpad being new; in my experience a new touchpad tends to be "over" sensitive. Software companies that make input device software, such as Synaptics or Alps, usually give you some options for dealing with this. Update the touchpad software from the Compaq site. Then in the Control Panel under Mouse you should get some options to configure. Keep in mind that if you have an external mouse plugged in you probably won't get the options for the touchpad stuff.

Possible solutions:

- Disable the touchpad, use an external mouse
- Change the sensitivity of the touchpad (My recommendation)
- Tape a business card over the touchpad (ok, this is a joke but I've seen a lot of end users doing this to avoid the problems you're having, might be a quick way to test if this actually is the problem you are having...)

...ok so another possibility is that you're seeing a compatibility issue with new hardware - which is pretty common for new models. If that were the case you would want to get with Compaq to update to the latest BIOS, chipset and driver revisions. If this is a known issue with that machine they should know about it, if they don't make sure you take down names and notes and don't hesitate to get a manager on the phone and take down his/her name too...should you find out it is a known issue later down the road they should compensate you for your time and trouble. I know it sounds like an uptight way to approach these folks but trust me - all they care about is getting you off the phone. Good luck!

Member Avatar for pirooz

Hi

Unfortunately not. I hardly ever use or touch the Touch Pad.
Thanks for taking the time and helping out.
regards
pirooz

Since it has Centrino, I'm assuming it's a laptop?

Is there any chance you're dragging your hand across the touchpad or mouse keys and confusing it?

Member Avatar for abbasmj

1. Goto Mouse properties in Control Panel
2. Disable Tapping
3. Disable Scrolling

Member Avatar for pirooz

1. Goto Mouse properties in Control Panel
2. Disable Tapping
3. Disable Scrolling

My thanks for your excellent suggestions. I appreciate it very much.
pirooz

Member Avatar for abbasmj

My thanks for your excellent suggestions. I appreciate it very much.
pirooz

Was your problem solved?

Member Avatar for debramn

Sounds like you have a sticky key, (tab key maybe?). Either that, or you have built in 'funtions' in that keyboard and its driver that are doing things you'd rather it didn't.

Look in your control panel, under Printers and Other hardware, look for Keyboard, open it up and see if there's any options you can change. If there aren't many options there, look in your System Tray, see if there's a little program in there to adjust the keyboard settings.

If that doesn't do it:

Try a different keyboard.

One last thing, is it wireless? If so, it could be interference of some kind.

H If you have a notebook you might try this

I added an external mouse then went to the control panel and went into the mouse then device manager and disabled te internal mouse. if you want to use the built in one you can go back in and enable it.

I amnot very techniccal so I hope I understood your problem and helped you. Good Luck Deb

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