charlie wrote:
On 2/18/2012 5:46 PM, Thip wrote:
"W. eWatson" wrote in message
...
Often I use the pad on my laptop to move the cursor. However, I began
using the mouse more recently. I have a Gateway MX6453 laptop about 4
years old. My thumbs often accidentally hit the pad while typing, and
the cursor goes to some random place where I'm typing, brings up a new
window, or to a lot of other unintended places. How do I turn off the
pad?

Same problem here with a very low-end Compaq. I had to download a little
app called Touchpad Blocker (freeware). It's not 100% perfect but it it
solves most of the problems.

Some of the laptops have touch-pad support in BIOS. If so, the touch-pad
may work if it is specifically enabled, or "legacy" BIOS support is
active. The touch-pad may have only basic functionality that is enhanced
when touch-pad support drivers are loaded.
I usually use my laptops with with a mouse or trackball, and although
the touch-pad advanced options are deliberately disabled, The touch-pad
will work anyway. (Even before any windows drivers are loaded)

Confusing? Yes!

Something that may help is turning the sensitivity of the touchpad all
the way down. On the ALPS pad on this Toshiba, the setting is buried way
down in the advanced settings section of the control panel mouse
section. Synaptics pads that I've used have a setting to ignore
accidental touches while typing, similarly buried deep within the
advanced settings.

--
Tciao for Now!

John.