Jumping text insertion point driving me bonkers!!!

[AleisterCrowley]

I've asked this before but still haven't got to the bottom of it - my previous question may have been ambiguous also.
word doc
So - I'll be typing away here, or in an email, or word doc, and suddenly the text insertion point jumps - usually back but sometimes forwards. if I'm not watching the screen the whole time I end up with something like this;
I'll be typing away here, or in an email, or worertion point jumps - usually back but sometimes forwards. if I'm not watching the screen the whole timed doc, and suddenly the text ins
Any ideas? I've got a vague feeling that this happens when I'm typing around the lower left area of the keyboard

[redsturgeon]

I've asked this before but still haven't got to the bottom of it - my previous question may have been ambiguous also.
word doc
So - I'll be typing away here, or in an email, or word doc, and suddenly the text insertion point jumps - usually back but sometimes forwards. if I'm not watching the screen the whole time I end up with something like this;
I'll be typing away here, or in an email, or worertion point jumps - usually back but sometimes forwards. if I'm not watching the screen the whole timed doc, and suddenly the text ins
Any ideas? I've got a vague feeling that this happens when I'm typing around the lower left area of the keyboard

Is it a laptop with a touchpad?

It happens to me on my macbook pro

John

[AleisterCrowley]

Yes, an elderly HP EliteBook with touchpad. But surely the touchpad would only move the cursor (similar to mouse) which doesn't move text insertion point?
And I've had said laptop for 10 years + and only noticed this 'recently' (<6 months anyway)

[Breelander]

...surely the touchpad would only move the cursor (similar to mouse) which doesn't move text insertion point?

But a left-click would move the insertion point to where the mouse cursor is positioned - and a tap on my touchpad is seen as a left-click. You're more likely to inadvertently rest a finger on the touchpad when typing near the bottom of the keyboard (I know, I do it occasionally).

[redsturgeon]

Yes, an elderly HP EliteBook with touchpad. But surely the touchpad would only move the cursor (similar to mouse) which doesn't move text insertion point?
And I've had said laptop for 10 years + and only noticed this 'recently' (<6 months anyway)

Can you disable the touch/tap function so it needs a press for left click.

John

[AleisterCrowley]

I've no idea. Can you (one)?

[AleisterCrowley]

Very useful info by the way, I thinks it's inadvertent taps on touchpad doing it as suggested

[Infrasonic]

If it's an older machine it possibly has a PS2 socket which if you plugged a mouse into would probably disable the touchpad automatically, maybe even with a USB mouse.
If you have one lying around that's going to be a very quick A/B to check if it is a touchpad issue.

[AleisterCrowley]

I've experimented with the touchpad and the problem is reproducible if I move the cursor and tap the pad (thought it would need a positive click on the left pad button rather than a tap on pad area, so very useful to know this)
Suggests it is at least one cause, probably the sole cause. Trying to Google disable touchpad HP elitebook...

[Itsallaguess]

Trying to Google disable touchpad HP elitebook...

Have a read of this -

3 free tools to disable your laptop touchpad when typing -

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/touchfreeze ... en-typing/

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[AleisterCrowley]

IT dept get snotty if we download unapproved stuff - is there anything in Windows 7 standard build that'll do it?

[GeoffF100]

Does you laptop have a special key to disable the touch pad? You could try Googling the exact model of the laptop. You will probably be able to find a user guide.

[ReformedCharacter]

IT dept get snotty if we download unapproved stuff - is there anything in Windows 7 standard build that'll do it?

Usually this can be done by a software setting on the machine but (I don't know which model you have) some Elitebook models have a switch just below the screen that will turn the touchpad off. Failing that, look for a reference to it via Control Panel > Mouse, or thereabouts. You could always Google for the appropriate manual.

RC

[JMN2]

I sometimes get the same problem, when I'm ranting away on my Asus windows10 laptop with gay abandon I raise my eyes to the screen and see nothing happening. I stop and notice that I had been typing 2-3 rows above in the middle of already existing text. It just seems to happen but luckily very rarely.

[AleisterCrowley]

IT dept get snotty if we download unapproved stuff - is there anything in Windows 7 standard build that'll do it?

Usually this can be done by a software setting on the machine but (I don't know which model you have) some Elitebook models have a switch just below the screen that will turn the touchpad off. Failing that, look for a reference to it via Control Panel > Mouse, or thereabouts. You could always Google for the appropriate manual.

RC

It's an EliteBook 6930p, an elderly workhorse. I will have a Google

[Infrasonic]

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/27334 ... 6930p.html

[staffordian]

I've no idea. Can you (one)?

How about a temporary fix with a small piece of card over the touchpad.

You could get all hi-tech by sellotaping a post-it note to the card, and sticking the combo in such a way that the card can be folded back for use when required.

Yours,

Heath Robinson

[Breelander]

IT dept get snotty if we download unapproved stuff - is there anything in Windows 7 standard build that'll do it?

If yours is a Synaptics Touchpad (most are) then you can turn off 'Tapping' in the Synaptics 'Device Settings' tab on your 'Mouse Properties'. Go to 'Control Panel > Mouse' to find it. Then you'll still have a working touchpad, but the only way to do a 'left-click' will be with the actual button.

[Infrasonic]

There's a 'user manual' here...http://www.manualsbase.com/manual/189486/laptop/hp_(hewlett-packard)/elitebook_6930p/
, but it doesn't seem any better than that 'service manual' I linked to earlier, in that neither seem to list any details of the actual trackpad make or model number, all a bit chocolate teapot from what I can see so far.

*It does mention PS/2 though...

[Breelander]

There's a 'user manual' here... doesn't ... seem to list any details of the actual trackpad make or model number...

The drivers download page for that model https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/se ... pc/3688868 confirms it uses a Synaptics touchpad, so my earlier tip for turning off 'tapping' should work.