my laptop is begging to be tossed out the window (help needed)

[fizzgig]

i have a compaq armada E500. this morning i started having problems dragging things/selecting text (i was playing solitaire when i noticed it), but it is very sporadic. i can move the pointer, i can click things with both the touchpad and the buttons.

i'm not sure how to troubleshoot this problem. anyone have any ideas?

cross-posted in the computer forum

[Boogie]

1. Make sure the laptop is open and on when you throw it.

Makes for a more dramatic thud when it hits the ground.

[petronius]

13. Perhaps more importantly, make sure the window is open!

:)

[billyskank]

2. Do you have another computer?

If not, don't toss it out the window yet. We need you here. :hug:

[fizzgig]

4. i think i'm just gonna have to buy a mouse

and you're such a sweetie :hug:

[billyskank]

7. Ah yes, I got a mouse for my laptop

That touchpad thing is just too crap for words.

[fizzgig]

9. it worked just fine until this morning

but then again, it's an older machine

[SPKrazy]

3. Can We Set It On Fire First?

and will you wait for me to get there before you do!

:shrug:


:hug:

maybe there is something under your touchpad? dust, food, cat litter?

:shrug: (sorry about that last comment)

I don't know my friend

[fizzgig]

6. of course we'll set it on fire first

and why are you sorry about that last comment? it's more likely cat hair, the monsters shed like you wouldn't believe

[SPKrazy]

11. Didn't Want To Pick On Your Cats....

:shrug:

but cat hair might be the culprit?

:hug:

[GirlinContempt]

5. Plug in a mouse?

[fizzgig]

8. i'm coming to the conclusion that i'm going to have to do that

but i want to see if i can fix it before spending money

[GirlinContempt]

10. You can usually get a mouse for like, $5

I'd try plugging in someone elses mouse. Chances are, if it works, the problem is the touch pad, and it'd cost you more than a hundred mice to fix it.
I used to do warranty work for compaq. 9.9 times out of 10, if a mouse works, it'll be cheaper than the alternative.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

12. Get an optical mouse ...

with shedding cats, you'll spend your life cleaning mouse balls.

Y'know, unless that sort of thing appeals to ya :rofl:

[ironflange]

14. Similar deal here, mine's an Armada m700

The little knob works fine, but the main button is screwed. I got a cute little mouse at Staples for ten bucks, works fine now. This computer's battery is dead, and the plug is very touchy. I dug it out of the closet about a month ago, dumped that damned Win 2000, and put Kubuntu on it. Works super now! However, I have to type with only my right hand at present, since there's a cat lying on the other one.