I have an older dell laptop with windows XP and when I LEAVE the mouse/arrow alone for a few seconds it selects or clicks whatever the arrow is on. ie a program or a different cell if in excel. How do I turn this feature off??? Are you running an external mouse or is this caused by the touchpad ? ?

patio. 8-)It is caused by the touch padTry re-installing the touchpad drivers.Is this separate software? I purchased this computer used and am unsure how to re-install the touchpad driver. If it is separate software, I do not have it so what is the next step?So, you just recently got this computer? Do you have previous experience with laptops? When this undesired BEHAVIOR happens, are you resting your finger on the touchpad? BASED on my limited experience with laptops, using a touchpad takes awhile to get used to. I suspect the difficulty you're experiencing may simply be due to lack of experience with touchpads. However, I believe you may find some settings in the Control Panel where you can adjust the sensitivity of the touchpad.

If you can get a mouse to connect to your laptop, you may find that a much easier way to use a laptop. I dont think that is the problem either as I will be running a program where I am not even using the mouse and it will do this. I have reasonable experience running a laptop and have not experienced this in the past.As I recall, laptops USUALLY have a specific control panel accessible from Windows Control Panel. Am I right? Have you looked there to see what settings are available and whether there's an adjustment that would affect this behavior?I have looked in a lot of places but I didnt see a special "laptop control panel" within the windows control pannel. I was hoping this was a simple click to shut off this feature but it doesnt sound like it. Any other suggestions???Quote

Is this separate software? I purchased this computer used and am unsure how to re-install the touchpad driver. If it is separate software, I do not have it so what is the next step?