I am also having the same problem with my Inspiron 8100. The only solution I've come up with to be able to use the laptop is to disable the touchpad device in the bios. I've even gone to the extent of reformatting/reinstalling everything with no improvement. I'm guessing it's a hardware issue, but I'd love to hear if anyone has any other ideas/solutions.

Message Edited by Stellina1 on 12-31-2004 05:03 PM

Here's how to disable the touchpad in the BIOS:

1. When your laptop just starts to boot up, you will see options in the top right corner. Hit F2 to enter Setup. If Windows starts to load, you didn't hit it soon enough.

2. The first setup screen will open. Press Alt/P to change pages and go to the page that says Basic Device Configuration on the left hand column.

3. Arrow down to the Pointing Device and change the setting by using your side arrows. The decsription of each setting option will be in the right hand column. By changing it to Serial Mouse, you will disable the touchpad. Be careful not to change any other setting unless you know what you're doing.

4. When done, hit ESC to exit, then YES to save the new setting.

My guess is that my touchpad is at fault and since I'm out of warranty now, I won't be replacing it anytime soon. I rarely used it anyway.

I have an inspiron 8200 and i have the same problem. the mouse pointer just  runs away to the corners of the screen and then disappears. it is very frustrating. did anyone find solution to this problem. I am using windows xp. i would greatly appreciate if anyone can help..