TRANSNOTE Pointer/Mouse Movement Problems!

[dreamgal]

I hope someone can help me. I just purchased a brand new Transnote from a private party. Unfortunately, it is out of warranty and IBM will no longer assist me.

I turn on the machine to start the process of installing the Win 2000 software, and noticed the red curser/pointer is not working correctly. It stays to the right of the screen and flickers when I try to move it, but it will not move away from that area. It is midway between the top and bottom, and I noticed there's a little black tab that sticks out of the side where the pointer is stuck. Using buttons on the keyboard, I have tried to test the pointer, but was unsuccessful, as the buttons on the bottom was hidden behind the bottom windows bar, and I could not figure out how to move the screen down to see it. I then tried to install a mouse by transferring the driver software to a compact flash disk, and installing it from the disk. Looks like it was successful, because when I plugged in the USB mouse, it moved the curser - however, no better than using the red dot. There is definately something wrong.

I talked to IBM, and they suggested I do an F11 restore, which I did, but that did not help either. PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE REPLY!!! I really want to start enjoying this Transnote. MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE.

[monty cantsin]

I turn on the machine to start the process of installing the Win 2000 software, and noticed the red curser/pointer is not working correctly. It stays to the right of the screen and flickers when I try to move it, but it will not move away from that area. It is midway between the top and bottom,

Sounds to me as if the trackpoint is broken in a way that the mouse pointer always and only drags to the right.

and I noticed there's a little black tab that sticks out of the side where the pointer is stuck.

Could you post a photograph? Unfortunately I'm too unimaginative... Is the red trackpoint cap ok and properly seated on the trackpoint stick? Try to remove the trackpoint cap by pulling it up. Does the problem persist? If everything's ok without the cap, reseat it properly or replace it with a completely new one in case it's worn out, and look what happens.

Using buttons on the keyboard, I have tried to test the pointer, but was unsuccessful, as the buttons on the bottom was hidden behind the bottom windows bar, and I could not figure out how to move the screen down to see it.

Sorry, I don't get what you mean here.

I then tried to install a mouse by transferring the driver software to a compact flash disk, and installing it from the disk. Looks like it was successful, because when I plugged in the USB mouse, it moved the curser - however, no better than using the red dot.

That's most probably the case because USB- and PS/2-devices (the internal TrackPoint is treated as one) coexist and interfere with each other when used simultaneously. You have to disable the Trackpoint in the computer's BIOS setup so that a defective TrackPoint won't cause any further problems. Consult your computer's manuals for precise information on how to do that.

If your TrackPoint proves being out of order and you don't want to go without one, you will have to change the whole keyboard of the machine, but that won't be a major problem. The Hardware Maintenance Manual that you can download here...

http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... IGR-4TCMCT

...(cf. p. 69ff.) will show you exactly how to do that. Currently IBM doesn't have replacement keyboards in stock (my request on IBM's US-located Ready2Buy online shop system some minutes ago only gave negative results), but you will find vendors via google or perhaps on ebay. I guess the keyboard shouldn't cost more than around 50 USD. Here are the FRUs, I guess you are out for a US version of the keyboard, that's FRU P/N 02K5218:

http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... IGR-4TYQVE

OK, now it's up to James and the other pros here to give you more substantial info, as I don't even possess a TransNote (yet). And, oh, I almost forgot to congratulate you on your beautiful new machine!

Best,
Monty

[dreamgal]

Hi Monty,

THANK YOU for your replies! I will see if I can look into some of the ideas you had.

I forgot to mention the TOUCH SCREEN isn't working either.

Wonder if I should try and get a refund from the seller, or if these problems are fixable. It's a beautiful machine, and rare to find it in new condition at this time - so don't want to part with it unless absolutely necessary.

Any other ideas on how to fix this WELCOMED! Thanks again.

[dreamgal]

Just wanted to update that I disabled the pointer in F1 Setup, and plugged in my USB mouse which I installed earlier from the CF card. The mouse is recognized, but has the same problem as the red IBM pointer that controls the cursor - the cursor still flickers and stays to the right of the screen, where a teeny tiny black tab (shadow) sticks out slightly towards the center of the screen.

[monty cantsin]

I forgot to mention the TOUCH SCREEN isn't working either.

Have you ensured that the touch panel driver is installed correctly?

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... IGR-4ULN8X

Btw, weird colors in your postings. Almost psychedelic. I like that.
If that's what you're into, you gotta check this one out, too:
ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccwww/ww/thin ... nsaver.exe

[G-Man]

I think it's not a keyboard problem, but a more serious one. Might be the system board. But it worth $45 to try another keyboard and save your TransNote's life. IBM's list price is $304 for a new US keyboard, but Indexcomputer.com has it in stock for $45. The FRU number is 02K5218. Let us know how things are going.

Regards,
G-Man

[MikeS]

Hi, I had the same problem with my transnote; after disabling the touchscreen (from Windows) there was no more problems with any other pointing devices (trackpoint, USB mouse, thinkscribe, etc). But, it was merely a forunner problem since soon after that the display stopped working.

Both the display and touchscreen calibration problems were solved with the installation of a new LCD cable (FRU 27L0544; ~$80).

Hope that helps.