How can I fix my glitchy mouse pad while using my laptop on a metal table?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting a glitchy mouse pad issue experienced while using a laptop on a metal table. Participants explore potential causes, including environmental factors, hardware issues, and surface interactions, without reaching a consensus on the underlying problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the laptop's touchpad becomes unresponsive when placed on a metal table, suggesting possible interference from the table's material.
  • Another participant proposes that a slight bump in the laptop's case due to the table's surface might affect the touchpad's functionality, although they express skepticism about this theory.
  • A different participant shares an anecdote about a previous issue with altitude affecting computer performance, hinting at environmental factors that could impact hardware.
  • One contributor raises the possibility of local power inducing currents in the metal table, referencing past experiences with overhead power lines causing issues with medical equipment.
  • Another suggestion involves checking for a short in the laptop that could be affected by the table, recommending the use of a multimeter for diagnosis.
  • Several participants inquire whether the issue persists when the laptop is connected to AC power, suggesting that earthing problems might be involved.
  • One participant mentions experiencing similar issues with their laptop's touchpad after carrying it, attributing it to potential bending pressure affecting the hardware.
  • Another participant shares their experience with loose connections and suggests that hardware failures could be a common issue with laptops.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the cause of the glitchy mouse pad. Multiple competing theories and personal experiences are presented, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific conditions under which the mouse pad malfunctions, including the influence of different surfaces and the state of the laptop (plugged in or not). There are also references to past experiences that suggest environmental factors may play a role, but these are not definitively linked to the current issue.

Ivan Seeking
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Yesterday I was onsite doing computer work with a customer while sitting at a metal [stainless] table. Whenever the computer [my laptop] was on the table, my mouse pad was so glitchy that it was useless - the cursor didn't respond to most finger movements. We eliminated all potential sources of electrical noise but with no effect. If I lifted my computer off the table, the mouse operated properly. I tried sitting the computer on a piece of thick cardboard but even that didn't fix the problem.

I'm guessing this was somehow due to the damping of magnetic fields, but that is hard to believe.
 
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I don't know what laptop you use, but what *could* be the case is that the surface you place your laptop on causes a slight 'bump' in the case, which messes with your touchpad. On the other hand, I find this almost as hard to believe as a damping of magnetic fields, but it's easy enough to rule out: try holding and applying some pressure to the bottom of your laptop, and then see if it's glitchy again.

Other than that, I really have no idea. Have you tried different surfaces other than the table and the cardboard?
 
Hobin said:
I don't know what laptop you use, but what *could* be the case is that the surface you place your laptop on causes a slight 'bump' in the case, which messes with your touchpad. On the other hand, I find this almost as hard to believe as a damping of magnetic fields, but it's easy enough to rule out: try holding and applying some pressure to the bottom of your laptop, and then see if it's glitchy again.

Other than that, I really have no idea. Have you tried different surfaces other than the table and the cardboard?

Checking for torque on the body was a good thought, but nope. I can apply pressure to both side of the computer [including front to back] and still operate the mouse with no problem.

In my office I am normally working on a standard table surface and haven't had any problems. This was my first visit onsite [anywhere] with my new computer, so I may see more problems in the future. We did finally move the computer to another surface a few feet away and everything was fine again.

It is a Dell Precision... 4600... I think.

Sidebar: There was one job where my computer would fail every time I was onsite. As it turned out, the problem appeared to be altitude [I guess the ventilation was the real cultprit]. This was for a very small control room, about fifteen feet in diameter, located at least 25 feet [or more] underground... not sure now how far down it was any more. I had to climb down a vertical ladder from ground level. Someone back then mentioned that hard drives can be affected temporarily by pressure changes. So after that I went down and set up and then left for coffee. When I got back, my computer would boot properly again.
 
Last edited:
You know, I'm wondering if this is a problem I've seen before. Perhaps local power is inducing currents in the table top. It is a long surface sitting against a wall.

I was remindeed of a problem I had many years ago where we had overhead power lines causing no end of problems on a mobile CAT scanner. I finally checked and could measure something like 130 to 140 volts AC to ground, on the body of the bus. When we looked up, there they were - big lines feeding the hospital.
 
It could also be a short in your laptop and the table is Earthing it. Use a multimeter.
 
Have you checked it with Charger/AC power cord plugged into the socket ?
 
Sounds like some kind of loose connection to me. Mice are cheap. I've had the same kind of luck with keyboards and have gone through 3 in the last year or so. The last one got really weird on shift characters. New keyboard, problem solved [at least for now].
 
Happens to my laptop from time to time. I think its some sort of calibration issue. It always happens after I lift my laptop to carry from one room to the next or from one desk to the next. If I carry it with one hand, the touchpad will no longer operate correctly, even if I'm using one hand to hold it horizontally. I think that some sort of bending pressure I put on the hardware as I hold it with one hand messes up some sensors in or connected to the touchpad. This only happens when I carry the laptop when its on. And when this does occur, a simple reboot fixes the problem. It is a strange anomoly.
 
rishi.sharma said:
Have you checked it with Charger/AC power cord plugged into the socket ?

Yes this would also be something that I would check. Does the problem occur only when it is plugged in? If yes, then there micht be a problem with the earthing. The capacitative touchpad won't respond well in such a case. Best solution would be getting a mouse or avoiding use while charging.
 

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