Botched Typing

[gardenmad]

Help! I have a laptop which has a mind of its own when I am typing - it will suddenly jump backwards and I find the type has gone back to the beginning - can I do anything or do I take the thing back?

This is what it is like when I am typing, won't do it now! trying to give an example, course it

[factor-fiction]

I expect there is a key you are knocking accidentally. It happens to me sometimes when I type quickly. It happens a lot on AB too for some users- for example the submit button often gets knocked before the letter count and pattern can be given with crossword clues

[Old_Jim]

You're probably catching the touchpad with your wrist. (I keep doing that) Try switching off the touchpad if you have a lot of typing to do.

[Buenchico]

Is it only with a certain program (e.g. with Word or in your browser) or with all applications that accept typed text?

If it's just with a single program it suggests a software problem that might easily be cured by reinstalling that program. If it's across all applications it suggests a problem with the keyboard or trackpad, which could be a lot harder (and more expensive!) to fix.

[gardenmad]

Thank you all, I will study what you have said, nurse is here now - had op in January, so will look later.....thanks again...........

[rosyposy]

My laptop does that too, and it changes the font size, drives me crazy. If I type more slowly it doesn't happen, so yes I do think I am catching something with my wrist as suggested. I prefer to use a mouse anyway so how do you turn the touchpad off please? Worth a try gardenmad? -rosy

[Buenchico]

>>>how do you turn the touchpad off please?

We'd need make & model for that, Rosy. With some laptops it's as simple as pressing the strip above the touchpad. With others you need to press a combination of keys (which varies between models).

[rosyposy]

of course you do, sorry about that Chris. It is an Acer aspire -rosy

[smurfchops]

This happened to me when I had a new hard drive put in. It is to do with the Synaptics Pointing Device. But I can't remember what I did to make it right. Either ask another question with these words as the header, or contact the manufacturer by email, they should help you. Otherwise ask at the shop where you bought it. If I can find the email from my manufacturer telling me what to do I will let you know.

[smurfchops]

If you google 'letters jumping around smurfchops' you will see I asked this same question. I have found email instructions to correct this, from my manufacturer, but it is a bit long-winded. If you could give me an email address I will forward my email , hopefully it will be the same for your laptop, mine is made by emachines/Dell.

[Buenchico]

Rosy:
There are a lot of different Acer Aspire Models!

On my Acer Aspire One netbook, for example, I have to press Fn and F7 together. Even if your model is different it will probably be 'Fn' plus another key. 'Fn' should be in colour. Look for another key (probably across the top of the keypad) with a touchpad symbol in the same colour. As an example, here's what it looks like on my netbook:
http://i.computer-bild.de/imgs/3/2/3/5/4/3/5/Acer-Aspire-5742G-374G32Mnkk-745x559-69a5b00f0e59dab4.jpg
(To turn the touchpad back on simply repeat the same key combination).

[smurfchops]

I don't think it's the touchpad.

[rosyposy]

Thank you all for the advice (altho' it wasn't my question, but it might help gardenmad) my model is the 7739 Chris and it is the same key as yours,F7 so it is turned off and I will see how I go. -rosy