Computer question

[averygoodun42]

Does anyone know what makes a laptop (specifically a Toshiba Pieceofcrap SatellitePro) cursor move around on its own? Wiggling the shell seems to help, but it almost seems like it's a software problem, because a) it's intermittent and b) changing the screen (by navigating to a different internet page or such) can, but doesn't always, change its pattern, for better or worse.

For example. I was playing solitare just now, and the cursor was moving upwards and slightly t the left. I drop-kicked gently manipulated the computer casing and, although it didn't go away completely, it got better enough to manage to complete the game.

I logged on to LJ, and as soon as I navigated to this page (the posting page), the cursor went nuts and zoomed straight up, barely even recognizing the mouse's commands to come back. I am typing and posting this via keyboard controls only. Manipulating the shell has had no effect whatsoever on this page. Nor has using the stupid little blue mouse button.

It is very possible that as soon as I post this and navigate to a different page, the cursor will once again be tameable.

Any ideas? It's driving me slightly bonkers and I want it to go away.

(And now it's working again. Oops, no, it just zoomed off to the right. Space bar didn't bring it back into sight, either, as it sometimes does. Hmph. Nope, working again, though it seems to be the space bar that's making it zoom to the right... Hum.)

Comments

[benevolntgoddes.livejournal.com]

mine does it, too - I found that using a usb mouse works to stop it

[kribu.livejournal.com]

No ideas really, but I tried googling for "laptop cursor moves by itself" and got a bunch of links with people having the same problem. Looks like people are mostly advised to clean the trackpoint/touchpad or disable the trackpoint.

Other than that, it could be a driver problem of some sort, I suppose.

[junewilliams7.livejournal.com]

Kribu's search is right-on -- the first link looks promising, as they specifically mention the Toshiba Satellite and the exact files that you can download to fix for free. Geoff should be able to figure out the instructions.

[sshg316.livejournal.com]

My laptop does this, too. Drives me insane. I hope you figure it out!