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Resolved Question

Cursor jumps backwards unexpectedly

Jan 13, 2012 10:18AM PST

When typing message cursor jumps backwards and seems the margins are not set correctly. It has been doing this about 2 months. Can anyone explain how to fix this problem?

Discussion is locked

flowergirl12 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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You have a laptop, don't you?
Jan 13, 2012 12:05PM PST

You have a laptop, don't you? This is a very common issue for people who get a laptop for the first time... Sometimes even long time laptop users. The problem is you're resting your palm(s) on the trackpad which is being interpreted as a tap-click gesture.

MOST, though not all, trackpad drivers have some kind of option you can set that tries to eliminate this. It's not fool proof, but it will usually cut the occurrence rate of the issue down significantly. You'll have to go exploring on your own, since this option (if it exists) is stored in a bunch of different places depending on what trackpad your laptop has. You also neglected to mention any kind of specifics about your system in the event someone was kind enough to go google instructions for you.

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Jumping Curson
Jan 13, 2012 4:01PM PST

Jimmy:- that may not be entirely true. I don't think its hardware problem. That can be solved by adjusting the touch pad. I've seen this happen frequently in W7, less in Vista and even lesser in XP. Why?

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Didn't say it was a hardware problem
Jan 13, 2012 11:21PM PST

Didn't say it was a hardware problem, I said it was a user error problem. One so common that trackpad makers have actually devised a way to at least try and counter it. It's very easy to, just for an instant, rest or brush your palm across the trackpad on a laptop. Probably at least 99.999% of the time, even the most experienced computer user isn't even consciously aware that they're doing it, and if not for the fact that it caused the cursor to move, would have continued on not knowing.

This is a completely OS independent issue. I've had it happen on Mac laptops, and laptops running Linux. The root cause to all of this is what's sometimes called PEBKAC: Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair.

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(NT) Cursor Jumping backwards
Jan 14, 2012 9:58AM PST
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Cursor Jumping backwards
Jan 14, 2012 12:18PM PST

Yes, my question was answered. By lifting my hands higher while typing it has corrected the problem. Thank You.

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Cursor Jumping Backwards
Jan 14, 2012 10:02AM PST

Thank you so much for your help. I am trying to hold my hands up higher when typing and it is working much better. I wish I knew how to disconnect my touchpad, but can't seem to find out how to do that. I appreciate your response!
Betsy (flowergirl)