Working with a Touchpad in Windows XP Owners of a laptop can either use a computer mouse or the touchpad in order to move the pointer on the screen, and to click and drag. A touchpad is used to move the pointer, using motions of the user's finger. It’s a substitute for a computer mouse. Touchpad:
The buttons below or above the pad serve as standard mouse buttons: click (singleclick with left mouse button) and right-click (using right mouse button). On this laptop these buttons are below the touchpad: Depending on the model of touchpad, you may also click by tapping your finger on the touchpad.
This model has also a special button for dragging the scroll bar of a window:
Some touchpads also have "hotspots": locations on the touchpad that indicate user intentions other than pointing. For example, on certain touchpads, moving your finger along the right edge of the touch pad will control the scrollbar in a vertical direction for the window that is presently active. Moving the finger on the bottom of the touchpad often scrolls in horizontal direction. Some touchpads can emulate multiple mouse buttons by either tapping in a special corner of the pad, or by tapping with two or more fingers. Read your instruction manual to learn what types of features are available for your specific laptop’s touchpad. As soon as you have read the information, you can try it.
Put your finger on the right side of the touchpad Slide your finger slowly to the left The pointer on the screen moves with it. Slide your finger slowly in different directions The pointer on the screen moves with it.
Put your finger on the touchpad Slide your finger slowly over the touchpad Point to Is the touchpad too small and your finger touches the edge? Lift your finger, reposition it and continue.
Clicking Is the pointer on the Start button? Now you can click the Start button by tapping once on the touchpad or by using the special button below, above or beside the touchpad. Lift your finger and tap once It has to be a quick tap. or Lift your finger and press the left button The Start menu will appear.
Point to Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button Go on: Point to Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button Go on: Point to Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button See next page
Now the Calculator window appears. To close it: Point to Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button
Double-clicking To practice double-clicking with the touchpad:
Point to Lift your finger and tap twice or Lift your finger and press the left button twice The Recycle bin window appears. Close the Recycle bin window
Scrolling To practice scrolling with the touchpad: Open Windows Help and support centre Point to Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button There is a scroll bar in this window. Point to the arrow below the scroll bar Tap once to move the scroll bar down Repeat this action or Point to the middle of the window Slide your finger over the right scroll area of the touchpad or Point to the middle of the window Press the scroll button
You may have another button on your laptop. Close the Help and support window
Right-clicking To practice right-clicking: Point to an empty area of the Desktop Lift your finger and press the right button
A menu appears. To close this menu: Point beside the menu Lift your finger and tap once or Lift your finger and press the left button Now you know the basics of using the touchpad of your laptop. Just like learning to work with the mouse takes time and patience so does learning to use the touchpad. With practice you will soon feel comfortable and have good control over your finger movements.
