Drift with trackpoint

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GXCross · #1 Post by **GXCross** » Mon Jul 12, 2004 11:34 pm

On my T42 (15") laptop, I've noticed that the mouse cursor tends to drift upwards and to the left when I use the trackpoint. I've never had this problem with other thinkpads, nor my two IBM Ultranav keyboards. But before I RMA it, I was wondering if anyone knows of a fix - perhaps it needs to be calibrated or something? Thx..

apoll0 · #2 Post by **apoll0** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 1:13 am

I've experienced the same problem with two laptops i've owned (hp evo n600c, hp nc6000). But it was only a temporary condition. When that happens, I just swivel it round and round and let go to see if it works. Sometimes it's because it isn't centred properly and needs a good jolt.

stgreek · #3 Post by **stgreek** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:16 am

The trackpoint simply re-calibrates itself every now and then, this is not a problem.

Stavros

Kenn · #4 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 7:01 am

Hey wump

Same deal here, the behavior happens with every trackpoint notebook I've ever used :/ It does correct itself, but it gets worse with time. After fighting with 2 generations of Trackpoint/touchstyx, I just stick to the touchpad - in the end I find it's faster, more precise, and has more embedded functions (and you don't have to replace the nub every few months).

#5 Post by **JaneL** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:03 am

You're probably resting your finger on it unconciously when you're not using it, and that slight pressure is interferring with its automatic calibration. Now, if every time you take your finger off it it shoots off to one of the edges, the keyboard needs replacing.

GXCross · #6 Post by **GXCross** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:06 am

Nonny: Heh, I'm not resting my finger on it unconsciously.

Kenn: Hey! What you doing here? You getting a T42 too?

Apollo: Yeah, if it starts happening, I swivel it round and round for a while, and it usually goes away. But it would come back minutes to hours later.

jsmit86 · #7 Post by **jsmit86** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 11:03 am

I had discovered this issue on my TP 600.
I did not think I was touching the trackpoint accidentely, but after paying close attention, I discovered that was exactly what I was doing.

If you rest your finger on the trackpoint device, it auto-callibrates. The device tries to re-center itself even though you are placing pressure on it.

Try this.... when your mouse pointer starts drifting, take your hands totally away from the keyboard, and watch what happens. The mouse will suddenly stop drifting. Problem solved.

atlacatl · #8 Post by **atlacatl** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 11:21 am

GXCross wrote:On my T42 (15") laptop, I've noticed that the mouse cursor tends to drift upwards and to the left when I use the trackpoint. I've never had this problem with other thinkpads, nor my two IBM Ultranav keyboards. But before I RMA it, I was wondering if anyone knows of a fix - perhaps it needs to be calibrated or something? Thx..

I have (had, maybe) the same issue with my T40p. It's extremely anoying. I haven't seen in it in the last couple of weeks. What I did, I update the BIOS and the mouse/trackpoing drivers a few days ago, and I haven't seen it move since then.

Did the update of the drivers fixed the issue? Maybe. I don't know - Maybe it finally liked itself and calibrated properly...Who knows...

Worth a shot with the drivers, it seems to be a couple of months old: http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... 6258#Mouse

GXCross · #9 Post by **GXCross** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 11:24 am

jsmit86 wrote:I had discovered this issue on my TP 600.
I did not think I was touching the trackpoint accidentely, but after paying close attention, I discovered that was exactly what I was doing.

If you rest your finger on the trackpoint device, it auto-callibrates. The device tries to re-center itself even though you are placing pressure on it.

Try this.... when your mouse pointer starts drifting, take your hands totally away from the keyboard, and watch what happens. The mouse will suddenly stop drifting. Problem solved.

I wish it were that simple. As I said, I've owned several Thinkpads before, and currently also use two "IBM USB Keyboards w/ UltraNav" (the keyboards with the trackpoint and trackpad). When the cursor starts drifting, it will not stop on its own. Even if I wiggle the trackpoint around, it still takes a while before it stops trying to drift. Fortunately, I dont use the laptop's keyboard very often.

Kenn · #10 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:21 pm

GXCross wrote: I wish it were that simple. As I said, I've owned several Thinkpads before, and currently also use two "IBM USB Keyboards w/ UltraNav" (the keyboards with the trackpoint and trackpad). When the cursor starts drifting, it will not stop on its own. Even if I wiggle the trackpoint around, it still takes a while before it stops trying to drift. Fortunately, I dont use the laptop's keyboard very often.

Hey man,

Yeah I just got a T42 for school - making use of some of those edu discounts for once.

Re: trackpoint - I'm sure you're not resting your hands on it - it's happened to every trackpoint computer I've used (again, with age). IBM is fast and quick with the RMAs and they ship for free, so if your system is new, it couldn't hurt to go that route.

sktn77a · #11 Post by **sktn77a** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:30 pm

Have you tried disabling the touchpad. I had this problem before I disabled the touchpad. Sometimes I was touching it (the touchpad, not the trackpoint) inadvertently.

GXCross · #12 Post by **GXCross** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:34 pm

sktn77a wrote:Have you tried disabling the touchpad. I had this problem before I disabled the touchpad. Sometimes I was touching it (the touchpad, not the trackpoint) inadvertently.

Yeah, I already tried that. (I always disable it anyway) But thanks for the reply!

T23_Owner · #13 Post by **T23_Owner** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 6:35 pm

When the mouse curser starts to pull just let go of it. The pointer will move by itself for a moment then when its done use it again. Every laptop I have ever had does this. Its not a problem but it is lame.

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