Weird observation of the XT - in hand or on desk affects touch!

[gohanssjn]

So get this:

Windows 7 on an XT, newest N-Trig drivers installed.

When I start up the system and try to hit the Windows Start Menu button while the XT is setting on my desk in portrait mode...no response. If it does register, there is a dead spot on "All Programs" in the Start menu. But no where else on the screen has this issue.

If I pick the XT up to use it, even right after it wouldn't work on the desk, all is well. No dead spots at all for touch on the screen.

Also, if I shut down and do a battery pull, the issue is fine and there is no difference from desk to hand for 1 boot.

What in the heck is going on here Dell...

(note: this is all for touch, not pen use)

[gohanssjn]

Ok, further testing shows that if I touch any part of the under-casing that (isn't the battery and its plastic) with one finger, touch is fine. So there must be some kind of circuit completion that goes on in this oddity...

[gohanssjn]

Ok, more data: dragging into a dead-zone is fine. Just initiation taps in those areas do not register.

[Frank]

Try to properly ground your tablet and test if this improves the touch screen.
e.g. use a three pong AC adapter, connect a shielded network cable or place the tablet on a grounded metal plate and make sure that the case has contact to the plate.

[gohanssjn]

I will try it connected to the 3-prong adapter later. Just seemed like an interesting observation.

[gohanssjn]

Yup, totally makes a difference. If I use a grounded plug (and have it plugged in of course), the touch screen worked fine. Only when it is not on a charger and not touching part of the case to my body does the touch have any issue in Windows 7. Weird dead spots, weird cause, quirky machine...

[trihy]

Always works best on grounded line.

On battery... dead areas, less responsive. A drivers and hardware joke...

Just rest the tablet on a bed or desk, and only touch the screen, not the case... you got dead areas here, there....