froggie

I have just purchased an ADVENT 9517 laptop. I had trouble entering my WEP number on the first day so contacted the selling company. They said it must be a Router/modem error
I managed to copy & paste so it worked ok.

I recently needed to write a letter and found that the characters typed jumped all over the place. For example, I would type a paragraph and parts of it would be inserted into the line above (or below)

This is an example of how the text looks when I am typing something. For some rThisd eason the cursor jumps all over the place

I know I do not have a virus because (a) the problem was there when I first started the machine to enter the WEP key (b) It has been scanned several times since.

Has anyone any idea what the problem/solution is please?

TriggerFinger

Try to disable the touchpad and see if problem happens again (use a USB connected mouse instead or at least during the test period where touchpad is disabled)

froggie

Hi TriggerFinger

Many thanks for your fast reply. I tried uninstalling the touchpad through 'Device Manager' (no option to disable) but it needed a restart and when restarted it re-installed the driver again.

I will keep trying though! (I HATE Vista)

Brian

TriggerFinger

You cannot disable the device in Device Manager?

froggie

No - it has a disable option but when chosen a box comes up saying the computer needs to be restarted. When I restart the driver is re-installed. If I don't restart the touchpad remains active. Looks like a catch 22 situation!

TriggerFinger

I understand. Do not uninstall the driver. Just click on DISABLE on the device in the Device Manager. If that is not possible, try turning it OFF. Some laptops have a button (most of the time near the touchpad) to turn the touchpad ON/OFF.

froggie

Hello again TriggerFinger. Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

The 'Disable' and 'Rollback' are both greyed out and the only option is to uninstall. As said, the blasted machine re-installs when re-booted. Who said computers were easy?
No button I'm afraid.
I have also tried updating the driver but it is up to date. When I plug in a USB mouse, both work. Is there an entry in the registry which will disable the touchpad? I appreciate your patience.

Brian

TriggerFinger

Ok... the only reason why I need you to disable the touchpad is because I am thinking your hand somehow brush over it while you type. Having said that, I am thinking that using an external keyboard (ex. via USB) would also help isolate the cause. If problem persists, disconnect the touchpad from the motherboard (very unlikely that this is needed).

wrench97

Disconnect the touch pad I have had one on a Toshiba stick and scroll Down in everything, yours may be scrolling up.

froggie

Hi triggerFinger. I am trying to borrow a USB keyboard (I have a couple of English and French. but they are all PS2's)

Sorry wrench97 - not too sure what you mean. I'm not very computer savvy. I have just ordered 'Recovery Disks' from "TheTechGuys" (37.50GBP - ouch) and will do a complete destructive re-installation when they arrive (probably about a weeks time).Thanks for your reply.

wrench97

The touch pad is in front of the keyboard but you will have to disassemble the laptop to do it.

wireman6979

Hello there,

Try going to control panel, click on mouse, check for settings, check for setting sensitivity for touchpad. I have a gateway that does this if the settings are too sensitive.
But it's under mouse.. try that..


Wireman

froggie

Hi wrench97 - don't want to go into disassembly just yet. trying to get the selling company (Astringo) to do something but they don't seem to be replying to my emails.

wireman6979 - tried your suggestion but still the same. I am awaiting the 'recover' disk and will do a full format and re-install. Almost at my wits end!

Thanks to everyone trying to help me.

Forgot to mention that Vista Home is installed on this machine

wrench97

If it is happening at the boot/bios level the reinstall won't help, any windows or driver issue will not effect the ability to enter the bios which is before windows begins to load.

froggie

Ho wrench97

Please forgive me (I said I was not a techie) Are you thinking it's a bios issue?

TriggerFinger

Just to add to what wrench97 said... you may try another operating system like linux on a live CD. If symptoms are (still) present as you run a different OS then the problem is surely hardware. Consider replacement of keyboard.

wrench97

No a hardware issue will cause the problem if it happens inside of windows as well as before windows loads. The live CD is good idea if happens on a live linux CD it's probably going to be a hardware issue, Keyboard, Touchpad, Cabling to either or a Motherboard.

froggie

Thanks TriggerFinger and wrench97.
What an excellent idea - I have Linux CD so will try it out first thing in the morning and let you know results. Perhaps I should have thought of that before!!

Brian

froggie

I have this morning tried KUBUNTU which as you know runs directly from the CD drive. using Open Office, I still get the same problems. I have now emailed the sellers (Astringo) and requested a refund as the problem is presumably a hardware one.
Although the machine was advertised as 'new' it did have a folder which indicated it had been used by a person in Belgium.

wrench97

Let us know how you make out.