X41t - Mouse cursor resetting?

[Cerebus]

I'm having an odd problem on the X41T, regardless of whether I'm using the stick mouse or an external USB mouse. Very often while using applications, the mouse pointer will appear to reset to a "home" position by snapping down to the task bar.

It does not seem to be tied to the laggy cursor issue due to hard drive activity, which has a random pattern to its jerkiness. In this case, the mouse always snaps to an application header on the task bar.

I've drilled down through all mouse settings, including making sure the "snap to dialog box" option is turned off, and I don't see anything to address this behavior.

Are there other apps that come installed on the X41T that control how the mouse cursor works (a pen app that's doing this, maybe?), any help would be appreciated, thank you!

[PRGeno]

Sorry that I can't be more help other than confirm you are not alone.

This X41T purchase has turned out to be a big mistake. The mouse cyrsor freeze/jump problem is really the only show stopper for me, even with the poor performing HD.

I have followed all of IBM/Lenovo's support suggestions without success, including installing a new HD with a complete restore of their standard load. It has been back for repair, and apparently they felt this very disturbing behavour was normal.

This machine has a problem, that is not being addressed by IBM/Lenovo, reviewers, or users. It's a shame because this seeems to be the only real flaw, albeit a major one.

[Cerebus]

I basically agree with you, in that I really like the X41T in all other aspects, save the jerkiness in the pointer. However, I'm fairly confident that this particular issue is not related to pointer lag. It resets to the *same spot* on the taskbar when it happens, it's 100% consistent. This is counter to the randomness of a laggy cursor.

After a little more testing, I've verified that it does *not* happen while using the pen. The random pointer lag does happen, but not the "home" reset to the taskbar.

So it would appear to have something to do with the mouse drivers, or something else that is only invoked by non-pen manipulation of the pointer. I'm going to play with removing and re-adding drivers today and see if it makes any difference.

[Cerebus]

Upon further testing, the pointer is actually registering a click on the taskbar! I'm using a double-high taskbar so I can see the date as well as the time, and initially I only had apps along the top row. Once I had both rows populated with application headers, I started to get applications switching when the pointer snaps "home."

I could duplicate the problem at will while using Outlook 2003, just swapping between two different mail folders with preview active. On every switch, bam, the pointer would jump down to the taskbar and Outlook would minimize (it was the application header right underneath where the pointer ends up).

So what the heck would be causing not only cursor movement, but also a click??

I've scanned for viruses and adware, everything turns up clean.

I updated to current Intellipoint software (5.2) for my MS mouse and at first I thought the problem had gone away. I was no longer able to cause the problem to occur at will. But before the rejoicing commenced, I got a few more windows open and it happened again - so it would appear that updating to current MS mouse drivers did have a benefit, but didn't fix the problem entirely.

I'm now down to disabling all processes and startup applications one by one and restarting to see if any of them are causing it.

[PRGeno]

I've been fighting these cursor issues for quite awhile now.

I've restore the hard drive to the factory load, I've tried paring down all the software loaded, and even sent the unit back to IBM support. Nothing corrected the problem, but I think I may have stumbled onto something.

I've been doing so many things, I'm not sure this did it. I've only been testing for about an hour now, so it may not even have been fixed. But the cursor hasn't jumped to the task bar in the last hour, and it was doing it quite frequently before.

What I did was uninstall the Farstone VirtualDrive software that comes as part of the factory load. The system is running much better now, including the cursor pausing (it still does pause but not nearly as frequently.

Maybe someone else can give it a try and report their findings.

Good luck

[RastassJr]

I work for a IT company which has several of these machine, all have in one way or another done the same thing, has anybody got any further insight to this?

[Riddil]

Try this.... open up the MS calculator, switch it over to scientific mode and punch in a bunch of 9's. Hit the factorial button (n!) and then sit back and watch.

Does the mouse go crazy, jumping down to the taskbar and clicking?

If the answer is yes, call the help center and tell 'em to give you a new motherboard.

We had a few of the field sales guys complaining of this. Swapped out the motherboard, and they haven't complained since.

[K0LO]

I had the same cursor problems with my X41T when it was new. Then Lenovo released a driver update on 9 Mar 2006 for the Intel Pro Wireless LAN 2200bg and 2915abg mini-PCI adapter (version 9.0.4.8) that claimed to fix this problem.

Guess what; It did! Now I can pass Riddil's 99999! calculator test without issue.

I don't understand how a wireless driver update is related to the cursor problem, but before updating I did note that the problem would disappear if I turned Wireless ON and reappear when I turned wireless OFF.

If your machines have the same wireless adapter you might want to look into this.

[zverg]

gosh I hope the wireless driver update solves this problem. My boss's boss (the CTO) just got an X41t a week ago and he's reporting that at time the mouse jumps erratically around the screen. I thought at first he was describing the notorious TrackPoint "cursor drift", but I saw it and it's much more erratic, and happens even with a USB mouse plugged in (which in theory autodisables the TrackPoint). It'll jump from monitor to monitor even (dual displays hooked up to X4 dock).

If not it looks like I'll have to call one of 10000 IBM/Lenovo support numbers and get transferred back and forth a dozen times and then finally they'll have the laptop sent in for repairs.

I just forwarded him the info about the driver update, but I'm thinking that since this machine was manufactured in August 2006 it probably already has a new enough driver.

[zverg]

Running the driver updated app didn't do anything on my boss's boss's computer. I didn't mention to him about trying turning the wireless off or on to see if that affects it at all.

Does the X41 have a standard mini-pci wireless card? I know we have spare ones and I need a temporary solution as he leaves for a business trip to Russia on Thursday.

[Adam]

Interesting, someone else has the same problem as me! I posted this like half a year ago and didn't get any help into it.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

My computer is in the shop now getting its 3rd motherboard and 3rd keyboard. I hope it gets fixed finally.

[bjburks92]

I've experience the same problems described in this thread for a while now too. The X41T mouse jumps erratically to the bottom of the screen and also clicks randomly on its own. It is very prevalent when using Outlook 2003, and usually goes to the bottom right clicking on the clock (somehow opening many clock screens at one time). At times, the mouse is 'stuck' (almost like a magnet pulling it) in the corner and will not allow you to move it for up to 5 minutes.

Returned to Lenovo once and they replaced the keyboard/mouse, but no resolution. I can disable the wireless card, and disable the trackpoint when using a USB mouse, and the issue still occurs.

VERY frustrating problem, even more frustrating for the lack of resolution from Lenovo. Next attemp will be having the corporation ask for replacement.

[dmar]

Anyone ever get any resolution to this mouse jumping issue? Any updates from those of you that got your motherboard replaced? I've yet to do anything that eliminates this frustrating issue.

[Adam]

Hey I know this is a really old thread but I haven't had my problem fixed in 2 years. It's been in the shop about 7 times now but the problem is I can't reproduce the hopping cursor problem at will. For no reason they've replaced the motherboard twice, hard drive twice, and keyboard 3 times.

One thing I can show is that the pen doesn't work properly near the bottom of the screen. I used a straight edge and drew horizontal lines and as you can see by the screenshot below, it gets really messed up the closer I get to the bottom. Does anyone else have this problem? Since I can't reproduce the jumping problem I'll just take it to a repair shop and show them this and hopefully they can replace something that might actually help.



Any advice on what to tell the repair guys so I actually get it fixed?

[aboveliquidice]

Feel free to correct me if I am wrong - but the regular "hopping" mouse is due to limited resources.

When I purchased my x41t - it had 512 mb of ram - and would hop all over the place - especially when I booted up or began any cpu intensive operations. I purchased a 2gb ddr2 sodimm - and have had no mouse lag issues - not even with running vista - which runs adequately, if not good.

As to the other issue (that of the OP) - I have no pearls of wisdom.

One thing I can say - do NOT use your standard load that came from IBM/Lenovo. They include an INSANE amount of bloatware with their XP tablet load. Get yourself a basic copy of XP tablet, and load it out.

A fresh load of XP - with 2gb of ram will do your tablet a world of difference.

~above~

[Adam]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess I wasn't clear on my problem. It's not the hopping or laggy cursor issue that's bothering me. My mouse cursor jumps to the bottom middle of the screen and clicks. Roughly the same spot every time. It's the same problem the OP is having (hence replying in this thread).

I have clean install of XP Tablet without any IBM bloatware and 1.5GB of memory. It has nothing to do with this problem.

It has to do with interference apparently, as described in this thread: http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic ... C_ID=29434

The problem like I said is I can't reproduce the error other than show the problem with drawing a straight line at the bottom of the screen as in the picture I posted already.

[Adam]

I had my digitizer replaced and it didn't fix the problem. Also I can now reproduce the error with any CPU stability program as well as the 999999! in MS Calculator.

So I've had everything in my computer replaced and nothing has helped.... great.

[Adam]

There's a firmware upgrade for the digitizer that you can download here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... selected=5

It fixed the jumping cursor problem but now it has problems detecting the pen at the bottom of the screen...

[trishm]

I have been having this mouse problem for a while on my X41 - thought it was just dirt on the circuit board or something (although that didn't really explain how it seemed to be 'clicking' and opening windows), until I found you!

Tried the update for the digitizer - made absolutely no difference at all - have just installed a flash blocker (noticed that it seemed to be bad while looking on ebay - but not on all pages, just the ones with Flash ads) and, fingers crossed, it seems to have worked!

Not sure if it is just luck, because it frees up the CPU or it's a Flash thing - but whatever, if it stops the date / time adjust window opening every 5 seconds, I'm happy!