The problem

• mouse pointer clicks while typing
• tapping on the touchpad causes it to click

synaptics touchpad

If you have a laptop with a synaptics touchpad, this is normal for the device (actually touted as a driver feature), and I hate that. it is practically proximity sensitive. there are times when I have been typing away and I know I did not hit the touchpad and it registered a click, but I knew my thumb was very close to the touchpad (proximity). when I am typing, my thumbs are typically poised near the touchpad and my thumbs move around (I am not an expert typist). I have to train myself to avoid the touchpad. sometimes I wonder if it's static electricity around my hand or something.

one of its touted features is the ability to do gestures, and tapping for clicking. All that is in the drivers. my best recommendation is to try one of several things:

• get a ps/2 or USB keyboard and use it with your laptop so you are avoiding having your hand over the touchpad
• disable the touchpad while you are typing. there is a little button to do this on the touchpad, you have probably forgotten about it or overlooked it for a long time.

regular mouse

If you have a regular mouse and it acts strange, chances are it has gone bad and needs to be replaced, or batteries need to be replaced.