16 replies to this topic

[denno]

Hi there

I'm sure this is not a new thread subject.  Not turning up what I need on search.

Apologies!

 

The problem is common:  When I type, if the touchpad is active and I drop a thumb on it, the cursor jumps to some other spot on the page.

 

I'm using a mouse (hate touchpads).

 

Going to the Mouse/Touchpad by way of Control Panel or Charms/Settings I do not find any on/off function for the touchpad.

 

I've managed to shut it down a few times, but it is so circuitous I can't remember what I did, or even know what I did.

(WHY is there no simple switch for this???)

 

It always comes back on again at some point.

 

Inspiron 15 3000 series, running Win 8.  (Should I just take the proffered upgrage to 10?  Will this go away then?)

 

Thanks,

denno

[paws]

Hi denno, lots of different models in the  Inspiron 15 3000 series... can you tell us the exact model number or service tag so we can check the data sheet for your particular model please....

 

Some laptops have a "touch area" or button just north of the touchpad and this forms an on/off switch whilst with other Dells FN +F3 will do the trick....( check the icon for a touchpad on the F keys at the top of your keyboard and use it whilst holding down the Fn key as it may not be F3 on your particular model)

 

If this doesn't do the trick for you then we need the exact model number or service tag.

Regards

paws

[denno]

Greetings, Paws

 

Service # is

F1W9312

 

The other two suggestions don't seem to work on this one.  (Tho' operator error is always on the table)

 

Thanks

denno

[paws]

Hi denno
See if you can open this link
http://www.dell.com/...F1W9312/manuals
and run the diagnostic for mouse/touchpad

May be that will provide a clue
Regards
paws

[denno]

This seems to be the relevant article fragment:

 

• Windows 8(8.1) is installed:
  1. Move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the screen until the Charms Bar appears.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Change PC settings.
  4. Under PC settings, select PC and devices.
  5. Select Mouse and touchpad.
  6. Locate the Touchpad On/Off toggle switch to disable or enable the touchpad.
     Note: If you cannot find an Touchpad On/Off toggle option, the touchpad manufacture and software does not support this feature.

Not looking hopeful.  I'll see if Dell has anything to say about it and report back here.
I don't want to uninstall the touchpad because if I have a mouse problem of course I want the touchpad back.  

---->Or can I get to the Control Panel by touch screen, which I would do (have done) and reinstall the touchpad that way?

 

It's greatly annoying that I HAVE disabled the touchpad a couple of times, but I can't remember how (don't think it was anything straightforward), and cannot seem to work out any way to do it again.

 

And I (uselessy) wonder what is the logic of not providing a simple switch, as this is an obvious problem for users of laptops.
1) Someone put a touchscreen in the laptop and cannot imagine why anyone would ever want to use a mouse.

2) Money.  Saves 1.4 Eurocents not to add a switch to the programming.  Probably saves 9 Euros not to add a physical touchswitch.

3) Somebody NOT THINKING.

4) Something I'M not imagining.

[denno]

Casey in Mudville

 

 

The answer is:

 

Control Panel

Mouse

Touchpad

Change touchpad properties

Voila:  on-off switch.

 

Unable to explain why I did not arrive at this easy-to-find place each time I wanted to turn the thing off.

 

 

MEANWHILE::

I said to myself, let's just try uninstalling the touchpad and then see if I can get back in there and reinstall it using the touch screen on the laptop.

 

Uninstalled it.

It said I had to reboot.  Did.

It stuck in the reboot, saying there was a problem, and should it fix itself by returning to a previous working status.

First I told it no, and it came back to the same place.  I told it yes.

It booted up and began behaving erratically.  (The touchpad, BTW, was now working again).

Blue "thinking" circle appeared permanently with the cursor.  Cursor was iffy in operation.

 

Called up Dell.  Nice lady got remote control.  First she couldn't see the cursor at all.  Finally ran hardware diagnostic, no problems, looked around some more and told me she could fix the problem for $110, or do a year's additional warranty for $240.  I declined both.  Paid ?$500 for the whole computer.  She kindly gave me the key to disabling the touchpad, and we parted company.

 

I rebooted and started to report all this here.  Cursor got weird but mostly immobile.  Then Firefox became Not Responding and stayed that way.  Trying another reboot, but have retreated to the desktop.

 

Now I really need help.  Perhaps you will redirect me to the correct department.

I take note that it would be CHURLISH of me not to make a donation to WTT under these circs!

 

BTT, Firefox has done some NR previously. 

Think the computer really did not like my uninstalling the TP, but I don't know why.

 

denno

[denno]

More info:

 

Running a Malwarebytes scan.

Meahwhile went into Control Panel to examine the touchpad.

FIRST: Y'get the Mouse page, and go to the Dell Touch Pad tab----AND IT'S A DIFFERENT ONE, WITHOUT THE "CHANGE SETTINGS" LINK.

---and that's why I couldn't always get to the on-off switch. But of course I have no explanation for this.

 

Second, window pales out and up comes a box:   (something like) "shell common Dll not responding"

It ran a self-repair attempt without any apparent result.

[paws]

Hi denno, glad to see you have retained your sense of humour during all this!,  I guess most folks would by now be completely bald

(having torn their hair out over these sort of issues)

 

I don't really understand how at some times disabling the touchpad via Control Panel just doesn't work but at other times it does..

Maybe there is more going on in your computer that is giving you these headaches.

 

Before  getting involved in Win 10 I would be inclined to try a "refresh" of your Win 8/8.1... it shouldn't affect your docs. photos etc (but make sure your back ups are good before proceeding just to be on the safe side!)

 

I usually counsel my customers to make sure their machine is running fast and sweet with no problems prior to emabarking on the upgrade to Win 10, rather than regarding the conversion to be a fix for current problems... If the conversion to Win 10 goes pear shaped then you have 30 days to use the built in Windows tool to go back to the previous operating system.... and that's not a lot of use if the original operating system doesn't work properly!

 

Here's the link for details of the Refresh procedure:

 

http://windows.micro...efresh-reset-pc

 

Good luck!

Regards

paws

[denno]

Still got my hair and my singing voice.  Otherwise....

 

Seems to be running okay at the moment other than that Dll thing.

I note that Firefox has hung up before this, or "encountered a problem" and shut down.

 

Gonna follow your advice as above and see how it goes.

Actually, gotta see about backup first, thanks for remarking on that.  I have iDrive on the desktop and I think they will do both computers on one account.  Haven't set that up on the "new" (out-of-warranty) computer yet; but by now have things saved and created on here, so better had.....

 

Regards,

denno

[denno]

That was easy---20-min chat support @ 4A.M.

Backup is underway.  Will take a couple of days, though I am deleting/converting lots of raw pix @ 5-6 megs each, and will meet the backup somewhere in the middle.

[denno]

OK, now, and have i got a question.  BTW, let me know if I should start a new thread concerning tuning up this computer, in a different part of the forums.'

 

Sez any programs I've added will be removed during the refresh.

Now that'll be summat of a pain, of course, though i don't suppose I can't reinstall anything.  But there will be 5-10 things, I think.  But that's how to do this, and seems like a good idea to do it?

 

Oddly, seems things are working well again.  I can even get into the Mouse dept. of Control Panel with no mention of Dlls.  Nonetheless....

 

Also BTW, I have gone onto the Dell Laptop forum to ask how on earth I'm getting to two different places under the Touchpad tab.

 

Guess I'm looking for a "There, there....it'll be all right"   before I get messing with all this.  Thanks

[denno]

Ack.  Decided to try the refresh.  Took about 3 tries and then the process started and wanted the installation disk, which  I don't believe I have.

Wot's next?  (I will go to Dell site, but they will tell me I'm out of warranty)

[paws]

Hi denno,

That's odd

The "refresh" doesn't usually need the installation disc....

 

I think I would be inclined to start it again

make sure everything is unplugged, no discs in the drive, memory sticks. printers, phones, external drives etc all removed, and do it from a totally cold start

 

remove power cord (and battery if a laptop)

press and  hold down the power on button for 30 seconds then release, reattach power cord and battery and try the normal start then the refesh.

Does it still ask for a disc?

Regards

paws

[denno]

Hi,

Yeah, it says "Some files are missing.  Your media will provide these."

 

I bought this computer from Walmart and I kinda don't think there was an installation backup disc.  The computer is constantly urging me to create one.  This may be an oops.

 

Dunno if Dell would think I deserve such a disc from them.

 

The good news is that my desktop picture has reappeared for the first time since the help desk looked around by remote.  Maybe it's a good sign. 

Then there are those missing files....

I'm gonna see if Dell wants to send me a disc or something.

 

BTW, cursor is all over the place, active, inactive....yukk

 

denno

Edited by denno, 19 November 2015 - 07:39 PM.

[paws]

Hi denno,

That is not looking good, missing files are always a pain and I guess that is why it is asking for the disc.

 

If you haven't got one, or can't borrow one then maybe Dell can provide you with what you need?

I have heard that they charge up to around $30 for them (if available)

 

As an alternative you could try the upgrade to Win 10 but I always prefer to get the old system running well before the upgrade, however it may just fix the problem.

 

if you do this then also do three things before making the switch.

 

1  set up a system restore point

2 Make a repair disc/USB key

3 Take a disc image and validate it and keep it safe!

 

Then at least if things go pear shaped and nothing works properly you stand a chance of putting things back to how they are at the moment!

 

Good luck

Regards

paws