W510 trackpad acting up after removing dimples

[fafler]

I have a W510, where most of the rubber dimples on the trackpad where worn off, and I decided to rub of the rest of them off. But since then, the trackpad has been acting weird from time to time. Most of the time, it works perfectly fine, but sometimes it stops registering touches, or only respond if I press really hard. Other times it acts as if there is already a finger touching, scrolling instead of moving the cursor. This goes on for a couple of minutes, and then it works fine again. Things like lifting or tapping on the laptop doesn't make any difference. Only waiting. I've tried using a piece of plastic to clean around the edge of the trackpad, but now I'm out of ideas and need some help.

Also, I'm using Debian Linux, if it makes any difference.

[shawross]

Welcome to the forum.

You have 2 options as I see things.

1. Replace the palm rest

2. Learn to use the Trackpoint


The way I see it the solution will cost you nothing.

[fafler]

Today, something really interesting happened. I've had the computer in the dock for the last week or so, and the problem completely vanished.By accident, I connected my x220 to the un-original 125 watt power supply my w510 came with (brought it used) and the trackpad on the x220 immediately started to act up in much the same way, though not as bad. I connected a original 90 watt and the trackpad worked. Connecting the w510 to the 125 watt, and half an hour later, the trackpad went crazy again. So it seems the unoriginal power supply is actually the culprit, although I have no idea why.

It think I'll be fine using the 90 watts power supply for the w510, as I rarely load up the machine for a long time and it only get luke warm on normal use. I have already modded the w510 to see any power supply as the original 135 watt, because when I got it, it ran really slow with the un-original one. I think maybe the owner sold it because of this, but who cares, as I got it for a great price.