mramalik.com

I had a similar problem on a Dell C610 I recently purchased. In windows the trackpad would work fine, but as soon as i installed 7.10 the mouse would wander rather quickly to the bottom left of the screen. I found some similar complaints online and more than a few how-to’s. There are two things that could be wrong:

1) The nipple in the middle of the keyboard has degraded and is sending bad signals.
2) The trackpad circuitry is being shorted out by a metal support

If the wandering only happens when you have the laptop on a non-level surface and returns to normal when it’s on a flat surface, odds are #2 is the problem. If it’s happening all the time, it’s probably #1.

To fix #1:
Find the service manual online and follow the instructions to get your keyboard loose. Once you remove the screws on the bottom of the laptop it will be held on by the data cable for the keyboard and nipple. Pull the data cable off and inspect it. You should see a large ribbon and a small ribbon feeding into a plastic connector. The connector can be pried apart by the ends with a small flathead screwdriver. Once apart, pull the smaller ribbon out of the connector, then reassemble it. Plug the connector back into the motherboard, leaving the little ribbon free. Reattach the keyboard and boot up. The wandering mouse should be gone!

To fix #2:
Find the service manual online and follow the instructions to get the palm rest loose. You will have to remove the keyboard and screen before the palm rest can come loose. On the bottom of the (very flimsy!) palm rest you’ll see a metal support that lays over the back of the trackpad. Remove the screws that hold this on and get it out of the way. Put some sort of non conductive material over the back of the trackpad. do not use an anti-static bag as they are designed to conduct static along the outside of the bag! Once that is done, reattach the metal support and reassemble the laptop. This should alleviate any trackpad movement due to short circuits.

Hope this helps!!

Also, when dissassembling, take your time and make sure you’re removing the right parts! It’s also good to put the screws in separate piles with notes to remind you which component they secure, etc.