Trackpoint with a mind of its own

[RedGreen]

I have been having an issue with my trackpoint, which is disappointing considering im using an X61s and don't use another input. I have noticed that after moving the cursor and lifting my finger off of the trackpoint often times it will keep moving, usually slowly but enough to be quite annoying (and it will make using it after that point difficult). It will stop when I take my hands off of the keyboard but as long as im touching any keys or the mouse buttons it will continue to slide in the same direction.

My machine is only a couple weeks old and still under warranty. I do not believe this is a software issue as it happens to me both in Linux and XP. If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

[rkawakami]

If your pointer is moving by itself for longer than a second after taking your finger off of the trackpoint OR it begins to move by itself when you simply rest your fingers on the keyboard or trackpoint button(s), then that sounds like a hardware issue and you should get it looked at under warranty.

The trackpoint will re-calibrate itself and cause the "extra" movement if it is subjected to a constant force for more than a few seconds. If you have a habit of resting your finger on the trackpoint even if you are not trying to move the pointer around, then when you let go, it will perform the calibration and cause the pointer to move. The same can happen if you move the pointer to the edge of the screen and keep "pushing". Once released, the trackpoint will try to zero itself out and that results in the pointer moving in the opposite direction your were pushing it.

You might also want to try changing your mouse or trackpoint settings, particularly with regard to the "enhanced", "ballistic" or "sensitivity" options.

[RedGreen]

If your pointer is moving by itself for longer than a second after taking your finger off of the trackpoint OR it begins to move by itself when you simply rest your fingers on the keyboard or trackpoint button(s), then that sounds like a hardware issue and you should get it looked at under warranty.

The trackpoint will re-calibrate itself and cause the "extra" movement if it is subjected to a constant force for more than a few seconds. If you have a habit of resting your finger on the trackpoint even if you are not trying to move the pointer around, then when you let go, it will perform the calibration and cause the pointer to move. The same can happen if you move the pointer to the edge of the screen and keep "pushing". Once released, the trackpoint will try to zero itself out and that results in the pointer moving in the opposite direction your were pushing it.

You might also want to try changing your mouse or trackpoint settings, particularly with regard to the "enhanced", "ballistic" or "sensitivity" options.

Thanks for the response. I have tried not letting my finger rest on the trackpoint and the cursor moving by itself has not happened nearly as frequently.

It does happen sometimes still, but I find it really strange that I can be using it and then press one of the mouse buttons and not have the cursor stop moving until I release the mouse button regardless of whether or not my finger is on the trackpoint or not.

I don't mean to hijack my own thread but I have a little question regarding keyboards. The spacebar on my X61s keyboard sticks up some on the left side, its not to much but im a little anal and have a hard time not letting it bother me. I am curious what my chances of getting a replacement from Lenovo are? It really isnt much, only a bit higher than the trackpoint, but it is enough to press against the LCD (I use a screen protector so I am not worried about damage). Do you think its worth the hassle of trying to get it replaced?

[ryengineer]

There are many threads available on this issue, one recent thread is below:

trackpoint "float"

[steveg47]

[ The spacebar on my X61s keyboard sticks up some on the left side, its not to much but im a little anal and have a hard time not letting it bother me. I am curious what my chances of getting a replacement from Lenovo are? It really isnt much, only a bit higher than the trackpoint, but it is enough to press against the LCD (I use a screen protector so I am not worried about damage). Do you think its worth the hassle of trying to get it replaced?

Definitely get it replaced. It shouldn't be a hassle though I would exaggerate a bit about the problem when talking to them. They will send you a new keyboard which you can replace yourself. They may ask you to send the old keyboard back. This appears to be something new as they never asked for the broken keyboard back in the past. If you do replace the keyboard please let us know if they want the old one back.

[RedGreen]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have been working on avoiding leaving my finger on the trackpoint and it really does not give me any unsolicited movement aside form the little float as you described was caused by it recalibrating itself.

Definitely get it replaced. It shouldn't be a hassle though I would exaggerate a bit about the problem when talking to them. They will send you a new keyboard which you can replace yourself. They may ask you to send the old keyboard back. This appears to be something new as they never asked for the broken keyboard back in the past. If you do replace the keyboard please let us know if they want the old one back.

Okay, I will call Lenovo soon, ill update when I know what they want me to do.