Word 2003 is "jumping" my cursor around the screen

[JVRudnick]

I am a writer, using MS Word 2003 to write a novel. I write as usual and I
think you all have used Word to write, and the thing is this.

When I am writing the word say "science" when I get to the letter e, the
cursor "jumps" to wherever I've "left" the cursor with the mouse. That is, no
matter what the word or letter I'm 'on' the writing goes okay for a moment or
two and then the cursor 'jumps' and it's inserted itself and I'm still typing
but the spot where the cursor SHOULD be has changed...so I'm making typing
errors...

Follow me? THIS is pretty well discouraging...

Can anyone point me at the reason for this and how to combat same?

Or, is this maybe NOT an MS Word issue but an issue with the laptop?
XPPro/SP3....geez...the same thing just happened HERE in this message box....

so, this must have more to do with the laptop....am I correct, and how do I
combat this in whichever case is true?

????

Jim

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

The usual explanation is that your thumb or sleeve is brushing the laptop
touchpad. If you're not using it as a pointing device, turn it off; if you
are using it, you can reduce its sensitivity.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org