Touch Pad Problems

[Oak Kitten]

I just bought a new HP Pavilion dv7 laptop. I am still struggling with the touchpad. I cannot figure out how to select text for copy and paste functions. Yes, I have looked up the instructions on line, but when I follow them, I can't highlight anything more than one word. I can do OK if it is a WORD document, because I can just click at the beginning of a section of text and do shift+arrow to select. That does not work if I am trying to select text from a website. When I tap the touchpad, it only selects a single word, and I can't figure out how to drag it to select more. Can anyone help?

Oak

[Amy in Vermont]

If you've never used a touchpad before, it will take some getting used to. I've been using one forever, so its second nature to me.

You will need to learn to coordinate your thumb and forefinger in new ways to make thinge work right. You may also need to go into Control Panel and adjust some of the settings.

Each brand of touch pad works a little differently, so there is no one "Way" to use it. I would have to test yours out to give you any hints. Will you be at the Birchmere? :)

[Roady]

Oak,

I have a new Pavilion dv 5 and was on the HP website yesterday and noticed that it said something about a fix for the touch pad. I didn't pay too much attention because I just didn't want to get involved with that right then. For now I can use it fine though I think you are suppose to scroll with it but can't say I know how. I do know the highlighting is different than my other laptop, a compaq.

Try going into HP Support Assistant and Select Tune Up and see what suggestions come up. It allows you to select what you want installed. I usually ignore that stuff but I'm going to use the help for this computer.

Barb

[angelgirl]

When I tap the touchpad, it only selects a single word, and I can't figure out how to drag it to select more. Can anyone help?Oak

Try a double tap & then drag.

[Elliott]

I have a HP dv4 for my travel computer. My solution to the touchpad is a $10 mous that plugs into the USB port. There's no software to install and I can use it or not. It's not too big to fit in the laptop case. I know this is not the answer to your problem with the touchpad, but it works for me! I was surprised when I first started using a laptop that I would ever get used to the keyboard or touch pad. Old dogs and new tricks aside, now it feels just like my old tower unit and keyboard

[Roady]

I cannot tell a lie - I use a mouse for anything that is going to take more than a few minutes or requires more skill than clicking on a website and typing a few lines. Cannot imagine playing scrabble without a mouse. :eek:

[Oak Kitten]

Right after I posted my question, I went back and tried again and finally got it to work. We shall see if I can do it consistently. I think I will probably get a mouse as well. It also took me a while to figure out how to scroll. I have to tap the pad and use 2 fingers, separated to scroll. I will be at the Birchmere Amy, sans laptop.

Oak

[lucille]

I HATE touch pads:confused:

[DaveM]

I have always found it necessary to use both hands to use a touch pad properly, and never have gotten used to them. So....I bought a mouse. There are compact models made for laptops which fit easily in any case and require no extra drivers, etc. The optical model I bought for $9.95 works great on any surface, which in the past has included my knee while using the machine in an airport.

[Bat]

I have always used a Fellowes touchpad from Day One, and cannot really use a mouse more than a couple minutes without wanting to throw it across the room. It's all in what you're used to...but I like it off to the left side...just started to use it lefty because the wire wanted me to, and now it's second nature. I think I could even write with my left hand now! (always been pretty ambidextrous anyway, but I digress)
The Fellowes gives the option of upper right corner tap for right click (thumb), which I rarely do, but it does speed things up a bit...the corner is roughened so you know pretty positively when you're on the right place.
Double tap and drag in the main section of the pad, just as you would a mouse.
Mine is old, so doesn't have a place to correspond to a scroller wheel...does anyone know if they make touchpads that have that feature?