Help Please....New Windows 7 user here!

[liz109]

First, let me say I know I am way out of my league typing this question here. I hope I can explain my situation clear enough for it to be understood.

I purchased a Dell Latitude. Husband loaded/installed everything. Got rid of stuff I won't use (I use the laptop for emails/ebay/pictures/facebook. Not a high volume/techie user here.

Prior to using Windows 7 on the laptop, I used XP. I am used to it.

My problem: When I'm typing, windows automatically out of nowhere, boxes pop up to search the internet, and it erases stuff I typed randomly. Case in point........it took me 4 tries on the laptop to type this. However, when I got to my last sentence, the tab closed. I caved and fired up my barely working desktop, with my trusy XP OS to type this.

I'm "hoping/thinking" this is an "auto" feature setting. Problem is, I don't know how to turn it off.

Can anyone help me with this? Did I explain myself clear enough? Has this happened to anyone else?

Thank you!
Liz

 

[richc46]

What do the boxes say. Are they security warnings?
Are they searching for something you typed, like an automatic search? I can fix it,if I know what it is.

 

[whs]

I assume you are using Internet Explorer when this happens. Try this: Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer (no add ons). Right click on that and do "Send to==> Desktop". Now double click on this shortcut on the desktop and run with thsi IE and let us know whether that produces the same problem.
Also, run CCleaner to get rid of all temporary files.

 

[liz109]

Thank you!

Yes, the box that keeps popping up comes up in the upper left hand corner and is an internet search box.

The other times, it just happens. Well, I know it doesn't just happen, I'm obviously prompting the erasing of my words with something, but I need it to stop LOL. Also, it will open up another tab for another window.

 

[liz109]

Also, this isn't just an IE problem. It happened to my son when he was typing his school report in wordpad.
I will try the IE fix and report back.

 

[richc46]

Possibly this may solve the problem.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/37717-save-search.html

If it is on, turn it off

 

[whs]

Also, this isn't just an IE problem. It happened to my son when he was typing his school report in wordpad.
I will try the IE fix and report back.

Hmm, that is getting more mysterious. You might have a trojan. I suggest you run Malwarebytes and SuperAnti Spyware. What is your security system?

 

[nekkidtruth]

This is a long shot but I know some people who have an issue with this....

When you're typing are you sure your hands (palms, wrists, fingers) aren't inadvertently or accidently touching the touchpad? I myself find that sometimes I touch the pad without realizing it while typing and all sorts of crazy things happen. If the cursor is in the box your typing, it can easily select it all and since you're in the middle of typing it clears it all out and starts entering what you're currently typing.

Also, if the cursor is outside of the box you're writing in each time you press a key, those letters are now shortcuts and will start opening up random boxes/programs/windows etc.

If this is what is in fact happening, the only fix is to learn to type with your palms/wrists held up slightly so they're not touching any part near the touchpad. Those touchpads, especially on newer laptops are ridiculously sensitive. Even more so when they're multi-touch compatible.

 

[Frostmourne]

Did you upgrade 7 or clean format?

 

[liz109]

OK, so I'm on the laptop now. Had a long post typed out with more explinations.

I just read nekkidtruths response. It could very well be the problem. I am typing the post with no palms on the touchpad...or even near it, and nothing has happened thus far.

Who would have thunk?

Very frustrating. Can anyone recommend a computer that doesn't have this problem? I still have a week and a half to return it. At this point, it's so frustrating, and that just might happen.

 

[zigzag3143]

Also, this isn't just an IE problem. It happened to my son when he was typing his school report in wordpad.
I will try the IE fix and report back.

Hi liz and welcome

You described it well dont worry. there is in win 7 a built in tool called the snipping tool (just type snipping in search). Can you use that to make a screen shot of the pop up we could give you more info. To upload it you use the attachment icon (it is shaped like a paper clip) on the reply form see Pics


Hope this helps

Ken

 

[nekkidtruth]

OK, so I'm on the laptop now. Had a long post typed out with more explinations.

I just read nekkidtruths response. It could very well be the problem. I am typing the post with no palms on the touchpad...or even near it, and nothing has happened thus far.

Who would have thunk?

Very frustrating. Can anyone recommend a computer that doesn't have this problem? I still have a week and a half to return it. At this point, it's so frustrating, and that just might happen.

Not that you should ignore the other posts, but having a brand new laptop infected with malware and other malicious software is unlikely. Unfortunately, this will be a common issue with most laptops (Like I said, especially newer ones). Although you may be able to find a laptop with either a touchpad that isn't as sensitive or one with a touchpad that takes up a smaller area, you're better off just learning to keep your hands away from it. I know it's hard because on a laptop you tend to want to rest your wrists/palms on the part below the spacebar. I still do it even though I've trained myself not too every once in a while

You could also check for sensitivity settings for that touchpad. If anything that might stop it from happening so easily. If you really like the laptop there's no point in returning it. But, that being said....definitely take it to the store and let them know the pad appears to be ultra sensitive. It *could* be defective.

 

[whs]

OK, so I'm on the laptop now. Had a long post typed out with more explinations.

I just read nekkidtruths response. It could very well be the problem. I am typing the post with no palms on the touchpad...or even near it, and nothing has happened thus far.

Who would have thunk?

Very frustrating. Can anyone recommend a computer that doesn't have this problem? I still have a week and a half to return it. At this point, it's so frustrating, and that just might happen.

All laptops would do that. One solution is a desktop, another is a seperate keyboard like this: Newegg.com - ADESSO WKB-3000UB Black 86 Normal Keys 13 Function Keys 2.4 GHz RF Wireless Mini Keyboard w/Optical Trackball - Keyboards
It has a trackball, thus you do not need a mouse.

Another solution would be to disable the touchpad and use a seperate mouse.

 

[nekkidtruth]

Sorry, I just wanted to shed a little bit more light on this. The reason this happens is because as you're typing your hands are literally bouncing up and down on the touchpad essentially mimicking a double-touch (or a double click). That's why it's best to train yourself to type with your hands lifted slightly when using a laptop.

 

[WindowsStar]

This is a long shot but I know some people who have an issue with this....

When you're typing are you sure your hands (palms, wrists, fingers) aren't inadvertently or accidently touching the touchpad? I myself find that sometimes I touch the pad without realizing it while typing and all sorts of crazy things happen. If the cursor is in the box your typing, it can easily select it all and since you're in the middle of typing it clears it all out and starts entering what you're currently typing.

Also, if the cursor is outside of the box you're writing in each time you press a key, those letters are now shortcuts and will start opening up random boxes/programs/windows etc.

If this is what is in fact happening, the only fix is to learn to type with your palms/wrists held up slightly so they're not touching any part near the touchpad. Those touchpads, especially on newer laptops are ridiculously sensitive. Even more so when they're multi-touch compatible.

This is just what I was thinking and going to post! Great JOB!

 

[FZ21Z]

Can anyone recommend a computer that doesn't have this problem?

Hi.

If it is a user issue, then no, as stated, you'll have to adjust to typing on a laptop. There maybe a setting in your mouse settings, to turn of the touchpad whilst typing or something to that effect.

 

[ZaLiTH]

On a slightly different tangent here; is this not maybe that Windows is not picking up the keyboard correctly? Perhaps it thinks the keyboard layout is different and the buttons you're pressing are not labelled the same as what Windows thinks they are...

To test if this is the case, open WordPad and try typing the standard alphabet 'a' through 'z', then the numbers along the top, maybe even special symbols (!, @, #, $, etc.); look for any irregularities with that. If there are, then it's quite likely a keyboard layout selection issue.

The reason I ask this is because laptop keyboards seem to be more finicky with layout that a standard desktop, different manufacturers place the same keys in different places, there isn't really a 'standard' as there is with your average 104 key desktop keyboard.