Plug in a mouse and it should default to it than the touch pad. If the mouse is
plug in, go into the system BIOS and turn off the touch pad.

I had the same problem with the moving or jumping cursor. Someone
suggested turning off the tap feature of the trackpad. It worked.
There are many times you need to use the pad instead of a mouse.

I don't know about the bios, and I can't speak to Gutsy as that
computer died, but on Hardy the touchpad settings are under System >
Preferemces > Mouse > Touchpad. Unfortunately, there is no slider to
adjust sensitivity, but there are check boxes for enabling the
touchpad (good) and enabling mouse clicks with toutchpad (bad).

I have disabled touchpad clicks on every laptop I have ever had. Some
of them would jump the cursor when I hit the spacebar!

I have seen this on other computers, even with Windows. The cause is
that you are contacting the touch pad accidentally while typing. If you
connect a mouse and turn off the touch pad, this should take care of the
problem.

The previous suggestion of turning off the tap-to-click feature,
should do the trick.

I had the same problem with my Inspiron under Win XP. When I type,
the pad is right under my thumbs and I would eventually hit it with
one of them.

Time for me to ask the silly questions...

1st - How do I disable the 'tap' on the touchpad
2nd - How do I turn off the touchpad completely?

I turned off the tap-to-click and since then have had no
more problems with the jumping cursor.

The static suggestion is very interesting so I have appointed a teaspoon to
become a lucky talisman to be touched before Ithe computer. A jug of water now
stands close by.. I am usually barefoot in the house but æos of windows nude
could be too horrible a sight for passers by/postman so cotton tshirts will be
order of the day. I will let you know how I get on with future emails to the
said contact.

Two questions -

1- why do extra addresses happen with only the most recent contact and no other?
2- the chair is microfibre. Is that likely to create excess static?

I had been facing the same problem in Kubuntu Feisty Fawn, and got it
solved as follows (courtesy goes to ubuntuguide.org):

This disables the touchpad while typing:
First edit |/etc/X11/xorg.conf| to allow the |syndaemon| utility to
access the touchpad's settings -
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Find the touchpad section:

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
Option "SHMConfig" "on"
EndSection

Add the |SHMConfig| option if it does not already exist.
After restarting X (log out and log in again), you will be able to run
|syndaemon|.
syndaemon -t -d
You may have to restart your computer.

To have |syndaemon| start up automatically when you log on, add the
command as a new startup program (System -> Preferences -> Sessions ->
Startup Programs).

Touch pads as on my laptop need special software and there was a Linux
version for mine.

I have had the same problem with all my laptops whether previously
using MS OS or Linux on my Dell Latitude CP, Latitude D505, and
Inspiron 7000. It was irritating so I always carry an optical mouse
to use. When plugged in it disengages the synaptic touchpad

I know some people really like the synaptic touchpad but I find it
cumbersome.

The mouse is a good tip. i have used several laptops without the jumpy cursor. I
am pleased to report turning off the tap-to-click.solved the problem.