Solution for runaway mouse dot on laptop?

[joshw10]

I have a laptop with one of the dots in the center of the keyboard for the mouse. I always have a problem where after using it for a while, the mouse pointer will move to one direction of the screen on it's own, and i have to try to hold it in place.

is anyone aware of a solution for this?

 

[SOSTrooper]

I've never worked with such problem, but I'll throw out one suggestion (even if it doesn't make sense/doesn't apply anyway). If the pointing stick isnt your primary mouse device (ie you use an external usb mouse as your primary pointing device), could you uninstall the drivers or disable the point stick in the device manager?

 

[Aluvus]

Track Point.

I and many people I know have a Compaq laptop with one, and virtually all experience this problem. I am not aware of any good solution.

 

[Metron]

Seems to be a very common problem on the Dell Lattitudes used at my company. I typically disable the pointer stick, leaving the track pad enabled. Most users use an external mouse anyway.

Replacing the rubber cap seems to help, if the user is dead set on using the stick.

Metron

 

[zephyrprime]

I have seem many such problems. You need a whole new keyboard. Either that or you could just turn off the pointer in software.

 

[Maxspeed996]

I had the exact same thing happening on my Dell Latitude c-840 not to long ago....It was really frustrating. Actually it started to make me mad , and I just smacked the laptop next to the touch pad , and everything has been right ever since. I honestly think that I need to open it up and clean it out.
Violence and technology usually don't mix.

 

[zephyrprime]

Oh yeah, the other thing you could do is disconnect the pointer cable if it is separate from the keyboard cable.