Dell Inspiron 1501 touchpad problem erratic tracking

[nowwhatnapster]

I'm currently working on an Inspiron 1501 for a family member. When it arrived it was functioning normally, however, now the touchpad is not functioning properly. It is super sensitive and the cursor jumps all over the place and clicks things when your finger is not moving.

After researching this problem on google, I found it was fixable by turning off the laptop, removing the battery and unplugging from the wall. Holding the power button for 5 seconds, which drains the "flea power". Put it back together and it works (for awhile)

It appears to keep coming back. Anyone else experience this? Should I just go out and buy a new touchpad/palmrest assembly for $40 and call it a day?

 

[engiNURD]

... or just buy them a mouse and disable the touchpad. sorry, no ideas here.

 

[nowwhatnapster]

So i got my replacement touchpad/palmrest, installed it.

Everything seemed to be working great until i plugged in the ethernet. Then the touchpad goes haywire... Now I can't remember, but i'm prettu sure I had the ethernet plugged in when I was having trouble with the old touchpad.

Tried disabling the port in bios and windows, but even just plugging in the ethernet cable causes the touchpad to almost stop working.

Must be an issue with the mobo? Thoughts?

 

[engiNURD]

yah, or something's getting shorted out.