Pointer has a mind of its own...!

[malky132]

I have a Vaio VPCP11S1E, one of the really tiny net books.  I'm running Windows 7 on it and it does almost everything I want it to do.  But it has an irritating problem in that the pointer periodically starts to drift, at varying speeds, across the sceen.  At times the drift is so fast that I can't actually control it with the mouse, the nubbin or the touchpad.  It seems to be related to something that is running the background, but I can work out what or why.  Any ideas out there?

Thanks!    

[rich912]

Hi malky132,

Does this cursor drift occur if the external mouse is not attached?

The usual cause of this problem is either dirt or unevenness of the surface beneath the mouse optical sensor.

Rich

[Vialli100]

Are you using the original power adaptor?

Some third party adaptors do not give a clean supply of power and can cause some strange thngs to happen.

Or as you say it's something to do with Win 7 or another programme.

[malky132]

Hi rich912,

This can happen whether or not I'm using an external mouse, and I'm only able to control it using the nubbin.  It is sometimes fine just left sitting, sometimes it'll start drifting about the screen for no apparent reason, then stop again...

Vialli100 - I have 2 genuine Sony power adaptors that I tend to use, one that came supplied with the machine, and it happens with both of them.  I've also tried closing down as many of the additional programs as I can, but without stopping this phenomenon.

Thanks

Malcolm

[rich912]

Hi Malcolm,

I can't say I know what the cause of this is but have you tried reinstalling the original touchpad driver?

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCP11S1E_B/updates

Otherwise if this has only happened recently then try a Windows restore back to a date when it worked correctly. If you have scanned for malware with more than one utility and nothing found then you could try a system restore to factory settings. Backup any data you need as this process will wipe all personal data and third party software.

Rich

[GOrtiz]

Malcolm, I have the exact same problem with my VPCP113KX - the mouse drives me crazy. I unfortunately purchase the little netbook as a gift for my niece but she became so fed up with the mouse she gave it back to me. The cursor drifts with or without a USB mouse connected. Sometimes it just zooms across the screen other times it just creeps across. There doesn't seem to be any reasoning to it.

Rich - I've tried uninstalling, re-installing, patching, reloading, calling Support, I've even wiped the whole thing and reinstalled Windows 7 and tried Windows 8. Nothing seems to fix it. In doing some scans on the net it seems to be a BIOS/hardware malfunction. I've upgraded the BIOS so I'm guessing that's not the problem, so it must be hardware related - but not sure how to confirm 100%.

Unfortunately I purchased the netbook in the States and by the time it was sent in frustration to me and me troubleshooting it, it's no longer covered under warranty :