Hi guys
one of the worst problems I have with Linux on laptops is some of them when entering data just randomly move the cursor all over the place so unless you look very carefully at the screen while typing you can get TOTAL GARBAGE.

So for most current releases (>= 10.0) install KSYNAPTICS (if you have KDE).

Then you can control the touchpad properly. There's a few different settings.

The menu can be got at via KDE==>SYSTEM==>Desktop Applet==> touchpad.

The latest driver did the trick (KSYNAPTICS install).

I've switched it off completely -- great stuff as I can now type in data properly.

Works 100% on SUSE 10.3 64 bit and I'm just restoring my 11.0 Suse image to try it there as well.

Cheers

-K

I dont see anything gr8 about this.
I always switch off the touchpad when typing.

Doesnt your touchpad have a on/off switch.?

Hi there -- no it doesn't or I would have disabled the wretched thing years ago. I HATE touchpads in any case.

Some people never have experienced the "random cursor" moving problem so you are in luck --but if you are in the unlucky bunch that I've been in and experienced this problem on different laptops you'll appreciate the fix..

BTW I don't remember ever seing a laptop where you can manually disable the touchpad via a switch.

cheers

-k

All laptops i have seen have a power switch for the touchpad.

It is usually hidden, but many have a led to show the state.

Along with 1kyle, I have never seen an on/off switch for the touchpad on laptops either, and I do computer work for a living. Although, the majority of the maintenance I perform work on are those manufactured by Dell. This may vary by the manufacturer. I had a similar issue to the touchpad described in the original post, although it was using GNOME and gsynaptics, where I was unable to control the on-screen cursor at all until disabling the Touchpad startup item from my session.

Are you talking about the hands invariably brushing against the touchpad
and causing cursor movement?