cursor jumping everywhere

tkachev

I have just had to purchase a brand new plug for my dell laptop as old one was exposing wires and not charging up the laptop anymore. However whenever laptop is plugged in the cursor goes all over the place and we get the bright blue highlighted background flashing up. When the plug is disconnected the cursor is fine, hence I am writing this when it is unplugged.

Any ideas? Why and how do I prevent it? Should I return the plug to the shop as it may be faulty?

Elizabeth

frogmorton

Oh elizabeth I have no idea :sad:

I would be furious...where is livinglegend when you need him eh??

Or Only49 she is good with computers too.....? can you get her on fbook?

Love

toni xx

tkachev

Is she? I messaged her yesterday.Joseph will come along soon. At least I can charge up the laptop now even if can't use it at the same time.

E x

tkachev

No ideas anyone?


Elizabeth

tjt6768

Sorry hun, just read it.. Not super up on computers or anything but to me it sounds like a power surge or something..... It's a strange one though.. Best of luck with it.
Joseph, Joseph, where for art thou Joseph? LOL

tkachev

tjt6768 wrote:

Sorry hun, just read it.. Not super up on computers or anything but to me it sounds like a power surge or something..... It's a strange one though.. Best of luck with it.
Joseph, Joseph, where for art thou Joseph? LOL

Lol indeed.
It is really frustrating having to keep unplugging to write or scroll down on the forum. I suspect it is something to do with the new plug. I might take it back and ask for a replacement to see if that solves the problem.

E x

tjt6768

Maybe take the laptop with you to show them the issues.. They may be more helpful if you do that.. They may have a geek squad in the store? Bat them eyelashes at them.. Haha

CarlyF

E,

I have some experience supporting computers. However I've never seen this problem before! But.. logically here is what it could be:

Power Pack:
I'd suggest as a first test, asking for a different one, however I can't see how a power pack can effect your mouse cursor, and the man at the shop might also think the same. I would take my laptop with me and get them to test if a different power pack will work with no issues (if they are nice like that - if he's really nice he might also try the points below for you as they are standard 'fixes' to try with cursor problems')

TouchPad - Mouse "Thingy" (I'm very technical you see..)
The mouse thingy, if you have one, looks like a rubber you have at the end of your pencils which is in the middle of your keyboard. This can cause the same problems (but not the flashing blue screen). The touchpad can also go faulty and cause the cursor problems. You can disable both of them (but you would need a mouse to use!) - if you want to try let me know your dell model number and I can look up specific instructions for this for you.

Power Options
Your laptop will have power options to do something different when your machine is charging then when its using battery. I'd suggest as a test we set your 'On Charge' settings to the same as your 'On Battery' settings and see if that fixes the problem. Again if you can send me your Dell model number i'll look for specific instructions for you, its quite easy to do

Google also showed up that a possible reason is a virus for mouse cursors going weird, but since yours only happens when you are charging the laptop I don't think its this.

PM me if you need any more help

tkachev

Cheers Carly,

I am really confused why it only happens when plugged in. Sorry I have no idea what Dell laptop number is. I bought it online so don't know if I have any paperwork anymore but as its packaging is still about it might be inside this. It is on a too high shelf but could get my tall OH to reach it.I will contact you Monday as weekends are way too busy!(3 young kids).

Thanks for answering
Elizabeth

dachshund

Elizabeth have you took the battery out of the laptop as its not needed when you plug it to the mains.
we always phone are nearest computer shop and they tell
us what to do.
have a good weekend. joan xx

livinglegend

A very common problem with laptops (of various makes) is an erratic, jumping cursor. (Try googling, 'laptop erratic cursor') There are many solutions that people have tried, so I have looked up the main fixes, with no guarantee that I have got the right one. As normal I can only give suggestions, people use them at their own risk.

However, as it doesn't occur until you connect your new power supply, then that would be the obvious problem. You have said that it doesn't jump about when used solely on it's battery, need I say more? If there is insufficient smoothing on the supply, then it can put a slight mains ripple onto the laptop and make it act erratically. Take your receipt, old and new power supplies and laptop back and explain/show them the problem and ask to check using a replacement supply. Test the new one in the shop to see if the problem is cured. Do that first, prior to trying/adjusting anything else. It is not good to alter anything needlessly or you may simply upset something else and never get it right.

Other possible 'cures' are given below.

If you are sure that it is not 'lazy wrist', where your wrists just inadvertently touch the pad when you are typing (the commonest cause), then look at http://agsci.psu.edu/it/how-to/mouse-jumps-around-on-screen-trackpad-is-too-sensitive

Another common cause is dust and crumbs under the keyboard causing sticky keys. With the laptop turned off, open it up until it is at about 90 degrees and place it on its side so that the laptop looks like a book standing on end. With a hair drier on the COLD setting and maximum fan speed, hold the laptop steady and starting at the top, move the blowing nozzle down the keyboard several times to loosen any crumbs/dust from under the keys. Then hold it in the air with the keyboard facing down and give it a gentle shake. That should clear anything that could cause a sticky key. Unless it is a sticky sweet, of course.

After that it is a case of getting someone to check the touchpad settings for you who knows what they are doing.

But there doesn't appear to be a single, straightforward fix in this case.

dreamdaisy

I have often wondered how to clear a keyboard of any debris - thank you livinglegend, that is a useful tip. I do avoid eating when at the keyboard - especially biscuits! DD

tkachev

Thanks all. i am pretty sure it is the new power supply as the laptop is fine when not plugged in. I suppose I will have to return to the shop and show them the problem.

Elizabeth

CarlyF

Good plan... hopefully they will try a different power pack and it will be back to normal!

If not, maybe they will be nice enough have a quick check

My offer still stands for help after that, i love a good problem. So just let me know.

Good luck

tkachev

Thanks Carly. I am busy today so will go along tomorrow.As long as I charge it up regularly it is okay for me to use so not too worried and I am certain it will be the plug.

Elizabeth

livinglegend

delboy wrote:

Corded mice can be made to work smoother by cleaning the gliders on the bottom and checking the ball is clean too.

This is a common fault on a mouse with a rubber ball underneath; to get them working properly again is remarkably quick and easy.

Take 2 clean A4 sheets of printer paper that have not been through a printer. Screw up one of the pieces of paper and wipe over the surface that the mouse normally runs on. With the other sheet held flat, run the mouse around on it for about a minute, holding it as you would normally do. The problem is that dust and natural oils from where your hand has touched the surface that the mouse runs on are picked up by the rubber ball and causes it to lose grip and then skid rather than roll. The paper absorbs the dust and oil from the surface and the rubber ball, which then grips and rolls as it should. And voilà works as new! Bin paper, job done!

livinglegend

Any joy with a new power supply? Problem solved?

tkachev

I have had a bad week Joseph so have not ventured out of my bed very often. The problem persists so I am just charging up the laptop then using it.

Thankyou for asking,
Elizabeth

tkachev

A message has appeared on my Dell laptop telling me the main battery needs replacing. Could this be the cause of my laptop problems? The laptop is only 14 months old. How much would a replacement battery cost as I've never had to replace one before?

Elizabeth

alanthemanc

tkachev
Just an idea, if you can get it on battery only, run the battery down to nothing, then recharge it up again. Just an idea, seems a bad fault to me, maybe the Dell message is a standard ploy by maufacturers to get you to buy their battery, which are £60.

livinglegend

If used nearly everyday then a laptop battery will last about 18 months to 2 years. It will then need replacing.

You should never run a laptop always on mains power with the battery installed, as the battery needs to be, at least partly, run down on a regular basis to have a longer life. If you intend to always use the laptop on mains power, take out the battery and store it in a dry place.

Shop around online for a new battery. For a Dell they are about £25 - £30 on a well know auction site, but make sure that it matches your model number exactly and also looks the same in the photos. Don't buy a used/spare one, they are sometimes on their way out anyway.

tkachev

Thank you Alan and Joseph. The laptop is used most days, for many hours. I have 2 other laptops which are older but never needed a battery changed. However I willl take your advice and remove the battery. Somebody else did mention this in an earlier post.
Cheers for now,

Elizabeth