ACER ASPIRE 5517 Notebook computer. Cursor is very eratic and jumps, skips and stalls when I try to move it via touchpad. Hitting the escape key fixes the problem for a short while. I have used Control Panel to adjust the cursor and touchpad, but problem remains

Try this: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Windows-Widgets/System-Utilities/TouchFreeze.shtml Have you adjusted your touchpad sensitivity in Mouse settings? Are you using a External USB mouse? ALSO, take a look at this: http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-517036-touchpad-and-keyboard-wont-work-same-time

You're probably hitting the touchpad and moving it involuntarily. Happens to me all the time.

Hi There,

Even though you may not actually ever contact the touchpad while typing, many laptops have the flat ribbon cable that connects to the motherboard under at least a portion of the keyboard. This can cause the touchpad to think it's been activated and make the cursor jump when keys are struck.

Here's a really simple little application called "Touchfreeze"you can install that automatically disables the touchpad ONLY when you are typing. If it does not solve your problem, at least it will have no effect on your computer in any negative way.

http://code.google.com/p/touchfreeze/

Before you're hasty to leave a negative rating for this response, keep in mind that this program may help hundreds of others who view this post. I've seen it cure end many people's woes who weren't actually touching the touchpad.

Best Wishes

i have seen this problem in other laptops and the mousepad had to be replaced.

try doing a system restore back to the point when it was working properly.
hope this helps.

um maybe your are hitting your touchpad and don't relize it. try moving your arms aprt from the touchpad

your palm might be hitting the touchpad causing your mouse cursor to move and jump around... try to type with only your fingers hitting the keys and the back of your hand raised and not hitting any part of your laptop... hope this helps....

Is the touchpad active?
It is common that users accidently touches the touchpad while writing and this causes the cursor to "jump"...
Another possibility is that the "TAB" key is jammed...

Touch pad mouse.
This unit has a "seamless touchpad with four-way integrated scroll button".
Yours is probably faulty, causing the cursor to be random.
Try disabling it and connecting a USB mouse.

Try this software:

http://code.google.com/p/touchfreeze/downloads/list

Touch Freeze will disable the touchpad when you start typing. I have not used it, but give it a try.

Also, your touchpad could be wearing out or a driver reinstall could be in order. My wifes Toshiba had a bad touchpad and the cursor would jump all over the place. I disabled it and she now uses an external mouse. No problems anymore.