15R SE 7520 Dell Touchpad Software is Defective

Just FYI the Dell Touchpad software for the Elantech touchpad on the 15R SE 7520 has a flaw.

Symptoms:

To reproduce the problem Open the Dell Touchpad software and set the Pointer Speed to somewhere between medium and fast (it's just a slider setting). Click Save. Now your Touchpad Pointer will remain at the speed you set UNTIL YOU REBOOT - THEN IT RESETS BACK TO DEFAULT / MEDIUM speed.


For those of us who like our pointer speed fast this means having to go in and set the Touchpad Pointer Speed every time the computer boots. (Obviously unacceptable.)

How do I know it's a problem with the Dell "branded" software/drivers for the Touchapd?

Because on the fist new 15R SE 7520 I received 10 days ago (August 6th) we did the following:

First - Dell technicians connected remotely and tried everything to fix it (complete full diagnosis and troubleshooting steps).

Then - When that failed, Dell techs tried a variety of drivers from different sources and for different models (they tried the Touchpad drivers for the 7520 and also the 5520 from the Dell site, they tried Dell ALPS drivers, they tried Synaptics drivers, etc... lots of rebooting and lots of time on the phone).

Then - When all of that failed and it was clear that the bug couldn't be fixed by Dell Support, one tech said it must be my Windows install from the factory. I knew that wasn't the issue but I went along with them since I was still well within my 21 days. They sent me a Windows 7 disc and I completely reformatted the drive and re-installed Windows 7 and all of the driver's fresh from the Dell site. I even called and had a Dell tech remotely connected for the Touchpad driver/software install so that he could do it / see for himself himself on the fresh Win 7 install.

Then - When all of that failed, Dell support thought it must be hardware issue and they arranged an exchange / brand new replacement.

Today (August 16th) - The replacement 15R SE 7520 arrived, and right out of the box - same exact issue. Touchpad Pointer Speed resets to default on every reboot.

After all of the troubleshooting above and two brand new systems showing the same issue, and then speaking with several Dell techs, I learned that this was a known issue on a DIFFERENT model of Dell, but that it is currently not considered a "known issue" on the new 15R SE 7520 because not enough reports have come in for it.

I was told that they're going to use my case as reference and likely release a driver update / software fix for this in the near future.

In the meantime - if you just bought a new Inspiron 15R Special Edition 7520 you should check your system for this problem and report it to Dell support so that it can become considered a "known issue". (Even though we've already proven it is a known issue, they need the numbers).

Good luck to all!