Laptop Touchpad Question

15 years ago

Hello,

I had a Dell Inspiron 9400 Laptop which I loved. One of the features I loved about it is the automatic scroll which I could control by pressing the space between the left and right side pads below the main touch pad. Now I have to get another laptop, and since we live in a very rural area there are no sources for me to look at them except online.

I borrowed a new Spartan laptop, but find it has the automatic scroll feature built into the main touch pad, and I am constantly activating it by mistake. I mean if you come anywhere near the right side of the touch pad it just flies all over the place. I went to

Dell's website since I knew they had the one I liked, but now I find out that all new Dell laptops also have this same feature.

My question is does anyone out there know of any brands of laptops/notebooks that do NOT automatic scroll unless instructed to? I called Dell and they said it could be disabled, but then I'd have no automatic scroll.

Hope I've explained my problem and thanks for any help you can offer.

BarbB

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

zep516
15 years ago
What about a mouse would you consider that you can connect a mouse to a laptop.
barbb
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Zep for your reply. Yes, I know I could get an external mouse, but really don't want to. I love to use my laptop in bed, and it's just easier not to have to worry about another item. I'm going to do a little more research, and since I've only had experience with the Spartan touchpad, maybe other brands are better, or maybe I can get use to it after awhile. I mean there are many people who seem to like it, or they wouldn't have made it that way.

BarbB
Related Discussions
Laptop touchpad problem
Q
Comments (8)
I found this in Help and Support. In the Control Panel open Accessibility Options Icon and click Mouse Tab and than Setting. To move the mouse pointer by using MouseKeys If you have not already done so, turn on MouseKeys. To turn on MouseKeys, open Accessibility Options, click the Mouse tab, and then select the Use MouseKeys check box. Use the buttons on the numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer. If MouseKeys doesn't function, press NUM LOCK, and then try MouseKeys again. To move the pointer horizontally or vertically, press the arrow keys on your numeric keypad. To move the pointer diagonally, press HOME, END, PAGE UP, or PAGE DOWN on your numeric keypad. Notes To open Accessibility Options, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options. To specify whether NUM LOCK must be on or off for MouseKeys to function, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then for Use MouseKeys when NumLock is, click On or Off. To change the pointer speed and acceleration when using MouseKeys, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then move the sliders to adjust the pointer speed and acceleration. To temporarily increase or decrease the pointer speed, on the Mouse tab, click Settings, and then select the Hold down Ctrl to speed up and Shift to slow down check box. cg
...See More
Physical Switch to turn off touchpad, who knew?
Q
Comments (13)
Jerry I bought an Acer convertible laptop/tablet and the finger control does not work well at all, it did a first but not now. I am off to buy a mouse today. I couldn't even find a way to turn it off without goggling. LOL I installed the classic shell so I could set it up and customize it . After I do that I am going to use the W 8 start screen and learn it. It is is quite a change working without a right click and I keep reaching for a mouse. I did Google a bit and found a way to right click, takes two hands. I haven't found a way to toggle between the shell and w 8 start page yet. Will work on that after I get a mouse.
...See More
Lap top mouse/touchpad freezing
Q
Comments (3)
It may be IE7 as it had been causing a lot of problems with some people with WinXP. To get rid of IE7, go to Control Panel>Add/Remove>find IE7 and remove. It will revert your laptop back to a newer version of IE6. But, you will have to your laptop off of Windows Automatic Updates, otherwise, the next time it goes for updates it will download and install IE7 again. You will have to do your updates manually. I like that option better as you can see what you are downloading and whether you need it or not.
...See More
Laptop screen question
Q
Comments (2)
goes into sleep mode ... is normal for a laptop when you close the screen ... hitting any key or a mouse wiggle usually wakes it.. pushing the power button is also a normal way to wake it. Sounds like it doesn't wake properly.. some program maybe interferes .. a snafu. Right click you little battery/ac power icon in the system tray, click on power options maybe... look around. Not your laptop maybe just change it to hibernate when lid is closed.
...See More
mikie_gw
15 years ago
My toshiba scrolls on right edge and that edge is adjustable several ways to maybe find a way to your liking.

I adjust mine in Synaptics Properties, Settings. Has a little practice setting even. Scrolls with a finger drag along the edge.. and that speed is adjustable, and finger pressure is adjustable on the edge too so I have to press down slighly harder to actrually scroll.
barbb
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Mikie,

Thanks for your input. I have just purchased an Asus notebook and although it has the same built in scroll zone as I guess all of them do now, the tech told me it's easy to disable. I so loved the way my old Dell did the scroll, I was hoping that others had the same feature, but afraid this is the way it'll be from now on.

I'm on this Spartan now, and every time I use the pad I have to be so careful since the very slightest touch sends the thing flying.

Anyway, thanks again, Mikie, and I'm looking forward to my new machine.

BarbB

Laptop Touchpad Question

Comments (4)

zep516

barbb
Original Author

Related Discussions

mikie_gw

barbb
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Laptop Touchpad Question

Comments (4)

zep516

barbbOriginal Author

Related Discussions

mikie_gw

barbbOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

barbb
Original Author

barbb
Original Author