Windows 7: Cursor jumps randomly

I replaced Vista with Windows 7 using a clean install. My wife's laptop came with Windows 7 preinstalled. On both of our machines, the cursor occasionally jumps to a different location while typing. (Example: in an email reply, it will jump from the reply I'm typing down to the previous message.) We've noticed it in Word and Firefox email because we use these the most, but it may happen elsewhere.



Does anyone know why this happens, and more important, how to fix it? I use Microsoft Security Essential as AV and regularly do scans with Malwarebytes, Spybot S&D, Ad-aware. Would a Hijack This log show anything?

Thanks, Larry

I had this same problem and researched possible solutions and did the usual reinstallaition of pionting device drivers with no effect. After disabling the Pointer utility in startup the problem no longer exists.

Thanks for the quick response, BK. Can you tell me how to disable the Pointer utility?

I use ccleaner to manage all my start-up items. you can also find them typing msconfig in the search or run bar of your start bar, msconfig/startup/ALPS pointing device. After disabling, the touchpad still functions normally minus the extra features i had enabled like the forward/back and smart scroll also when accessing my mouse options in the control panel the interface is for a generic device now instead of the specific touchpad (ALPS) but it still functions normally.

Did you update your pointer drivers after you did the install of windows 7? Do you know what pointing device your laptop has? It is probably either Synaptics or ALPS but I would hate to lead you in the wrong direction if the solition lies elsewhere. I figured I would let you know how I dealt with the same problem.

Hmm. I have no ALPS pointing device on my computer, or at least I can't find it. Under msconfig/startup, there are only a few things that start automatically: Quickset for laptop features such as displaying the volume control on-screen; MS Security Essentials; and something called OEM02Mon.exe, whose function I don't know but a google search said it wasn't dangerous. Maybe because our computers are different we have different pointer software? Mine is a dell; wife is ASUS.

what is the model of your ASUS?

Sorry, what are the models of each laptop?

Here is a link to the Vista 32bit pointer drivers for your dell. Drivers & Downloads

Models are:
ASUS K60
Dell Inspiron 1720

Both use Windows 7 and the driver download link only has Vista. Not sure why I would have to install new drivers?