repositioning typing on my pc with Windows 7

[roxana3948]

I am new to forums. I searched your forums on this subject, but found no solution to my problem.

I have a pc, and have problem when I type - my typing suddenly jumps to the location where I left the cursor. If I move the cursor to another location, then indiscriminately, my typing jumps to that location and continues to type. This is not a jumping cursor. The cursor does not move, my typing jumps to the location of the cursor.

I have asked computer technicians, and they don't know how to cure it. I had the same problem when I had XP and before that, when I had Windows 2000.

Somebody must know how to solve this problem.

[-pops-]

Is this a joke or a fundamental misunderstanding of the function of the cursor?

Or then, again, have I misunderstood the whole question?

[Digerati]

when I type - my typing suddenly jumps to the location where I left the cursor.

Is this a joke or a fundamental misunderstanding of the function of the cursor?

Or then, again, have I misunderstood the whole question?

I am with you on this one pops.

roxana, where do you expect the text to appear? Where your eyes are looking? The purpose of the cursor is to tell you where the text will appear. That should be apparent to you after the same experience with XP and W2K. If the cursor is not where you want your text to appear, then you must move the cursor by clicking with your mouse, the tab key (maybe) or your keyboard cursor keys.

@pops - did I just waste my time?

[roxana3948]

when I type - my typing suddenly jumps to the location where I left the cursor.

Is this a joke or a fundamental misunderstanding of the function of the cursor?

Or then, again, have I misunderstood the whole question?

I am with you on this one pops.

roxana, where do you expect the text to appear? Where your eyes are looking? The purpose of the cursor is to tell you where the text will appear. That should be apparent to you after the same experience with XP and W2K. If the cursor is not where you want your text to appear, then you must move the cursor by clicking with your mouse, the tab key (maybe) or your keyboard cursor keys.

@pops - did I just waste my time?

[roxana3948]

This is not a joke.

The cursor stays right where you leave it, and as you type, you expect the typing to flow from line to line. What happens to me, is that as I type, for no apparent reason, my typing will reposition itself to wherever I left the cursor, and continue along from there. It has nothing to do with where I am looking.

This makes touch typing very difficult, as I cannot trust that my typing will flow in a normal manner.

If I place the cursor somewhere else, say in a margin, then when my typing does move, it moves as close to where the cursor is.

I have run into others with the same problem, and nobody has found a solution.

Roxana

[Boris]

The fact that you have had the same problem with Windows 7, XP and Windows 2000 is intriguing !

What application are you using when you are typing ?

Word, Wordpad or something else ?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I am also having difficulties understanding what the problem is...

The cursor usually moves with the text that you type. I was trying to take some snapshots, but on my new Windows 7 computer, I am not quite sure how to do that (and include the cursor in the images). So I will do it here with some forum formatting. I will use this character as the cursor: ◄

Before you start typing, e.g. in Word, it shows an empty space with just the cursor

◄

Then you start typing

Typing a few words◄

and while you type, the cursor will move forward in front of your text

Typing a few words, and a few more◄

Isn't that what you are seeing? How does the cursor behave in your case?

And yes, what software are you using?

[roxana3948]

I am also having difficulties understanding what the problem is...

The cursor usually moves with the text that you type. I was trying to take some snapshots, but on my new Windows 7 computer, I am not quite sure how to do that (and include the cursor in the images). So I will do it here with some forum formatting. I will use this character as the cursor: ◄

Before you start typing, e.g. in Word, it shows an empty space with just the cursor

◄

Then you start typing

Typing a few words◄

and while you type, the cursor will move forward in front of your text

Typing a few words, and a few more◄

Isn't that what you are seeing? How does the cursor behave in your case?

And yes, what software are you using?

[roxana3948]

I use Word, IE, Thunderbird for email, wordpad, and it happens in all of these programs. It even happens in this application.

I may be using the wrong term. I see that the cursor is the vertical line that precedes my line of typing.

What do you call the arrow or the large symbol that looks like a capital "I" that moves when you move the mouse? That's where the text I'm typing jumps to.

That is the symbol that enables me to move the cursor to where I want the typing to go. I apologize for being confused about the terminology.

Over the years, I have used different mice: Microsoft, Compaq, Logitech. Now, I'm using a Logitech wireless mouse.

Roxana

[-pops-]

Does this happen on all the computers you use (both now and in the past)?

Do you see this effect on computers that other people are using?

[Digerati]

There is a difference between the "text insertion point" (sometimes called the blinking cursor) and the "mouse" cursor - and how they affect which opened window or application has the "focus". When a window has the "focus" that means anything you do with your keyboard or mouse will happen in that open window. Typically, if you have several open windows, you have to first click on the window you want to work with to move the focus to that window or application, and then once focus is set, the "action" will then occur where the "text insertion point" is located.

Are you saying that all you have to do is move your mouse cursor (without clicking any mouse button) and your typed text will enter where your mouse cursor is?

Do you have any "accessibility" features enabled? They are not by default. These features are for users with physical limitations/handicaps (I apologize if "handicap" is inappropriate).

[rong]

I am not sure if it would make what you have to happen but do you have snap to cursor set, I have seen it somewhere I think in the mouse settings don't know if this would cause your problem but one of the others might

[roxana3948]

I'll answer all in order received.

Pops: Yes, it has happened on all my past computers (maybe I have a ghost following me). Other people have confirmed that it happens to them, but nobody close that I can watch.

Digerati:

It is the mouse pointer that dictates where the text jumps to - even to the point of changing applications if I move the mouse pointer outside the parameters of the program I'm typing in.

Yes, I do not push any buttons on the mouse. It happens at random. If I happen to leave the mouse pointer on a program on the track bar, a program will open. So, I have to be careful where I leave the mouse pointer.

BTW, when I use the touch pad (without using a mouse) the same thing happens.

I know nothing about Accessibility features, but I will look into that.

rong:

I will look into the Mouse settings for the snap to cursor.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will see what I can find as soon as I find time.

I recently moved up to Windows 7, and find that all the settings are different from what I was used to. Especially file manager - I think MicroSoft has gone down hill with that.

Roxana

[Digerati]

It is the mouse pointer that dictates where the text jumps to - even to the point of changing applications if I move the mouse pointer outside the parameters of the program I'm typing in.

I think I've got this sorted out. Try this.

Click on the Start orb and start typing the following into the search box,

change how your mouse works

When you see that option appear at the top, click on it. Then ensure, “Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse” is unchecked.

[roxana3948]

Digerati,

Thanks, that sounded promising, but it was already unchecked.

Also, Snap to was not chosen, and Click-lock was not enabled.

Tomorrow, I'll investigate the Accessibility solutions. Maybe there is something there???

[roxana3948]

Hello All,

I checked accessibility solutions, but didn't find anything that applied to this problem.

Roxana

[Digerati]

That option was part of the accessibility options. In Windows 7, they are called "Ease of Access" features.

Well, I am out of guesses, but will keep thinking about it. Sorry.

[roxana3948]

Digerati,

Many thanks for your input. I did learn more about Windows 7, and also I learned what is not a solution to the problem.

Thanks also to Pops and rong for your guesses.

Roxana

[AlanHo]

Are you using a standard basic corded mouse - or a proprietary cordless one with a special driver which may be buggy.

Try using a standard corded mouse which uses the Windows driver.

[roxana3948]

AlanHo,

Many, many thanks - you solved my problem. I attached the MS corded optical mouse, and checked the driver. It works now, without jumping!

I will have to find and install the driver for the Logitech cordless mouse and check it out. That seems to be a problem with "Plug 'n Play": The mice work marginally without their specific driver.

Blessings,

Roxana

[AlanHo]

AlanHo,

Many, many thanks - you solved my problem. I attached the MS corded optical mouse, and checked the driver. It works now, without jumping!

I will have to find and install the driver for the Logitech cordless mouse and check it out. That seems to be a problem with "Plug 'n Play": The mice work marginally without their specific driver.

Blessings,

Roxana

My suggestion was based on a similar experience to yours - with a Logitech cordless keyboard and mouse. I was never ever able to get a driver to work on Vista so binnned it and reverted to corded keyboard and mouse for rock solid reliability.

[bludgard]

Welcome back, Alan.

+1

[AlanHo]

Welcome back, Alan.

+1

Thanks for the greeting. I will only be posting here in future if I have something worthwhile to add to a thread. Except for a couple of members, This forum has lost its sense of humour so I spend more time elsewhere where idle chat, healthy banter and humour are appreciated as much as technical help.

[Digerati]

Now wait. Something is weird here. Surely, through all these years, going back through several computers and operating systems, I have to assume you have used several different mice, including corded ones? Right?

I mean, I am glad you got this sorted out - and appreciate Alan for suggesting the obvious solution we all overlooked. But that solution just does not mesh with problems lasting years over various hardware and operating systems.

I am more confused now than ever.

[rong]

Now wait. Something is weird here. Surely, through all these years, going back through several computers and operating systems, I have to assume you have used several different mice, including corded ones? Right?

I mean, I am glad you got this sorted out - and appreciate Alan for suggesting the obvious solution we all overlooked. But that solution just does not mesh with problems lasting years over various hardware and operating systems.

I am more confused now than ever.

And me, confused that is.