Why do I keep getting multiple cursors?

[sclamons]

Background: I'm on a new (refurbished, recent model) macbook pro that I acquired a few months ago. I'm running OSX 10.9.5.

Ever since I got this macbook, I've had an intermittent problem involving multiple text cursors. From time to time, while I'm typing normally, a second text cursor will appear wherever my mouse cursor is on the screen, and I'll start accidentally typing in two places at once. It's easy enough to work around -- I just delete the text wherever the new cursor is -- but it's a really annoying problem.

I suspect I'm accidentally triggering some intentional feature that allows multiple text cursors, but I haven't been able to intentionally reproduce the event, and I can't find any information on a multiple-cursor feature in OSX. Anyone know what's going on?

 

[cradom]

I'm not aware of any 'feature' that would give multiple cursors. What would be the point?
I would recommend upgrading your OS. You don't give your specs but if it'll run it, upgrade to El Capitan.
Hey, it's free and might help.

 

[Slydude]

Create a second user account if you don't a;ready have one. Do not add any login items or other things to the account. Now log into the account and see if you get the same behavior. If you don't get multiple cursors there then the problem is likely due to something specific to your user account.

 

[chscag]

And.... make sure you don't have "lazy" hands (resting your hands on the trackpad or brushing up on it while typing) as that will sometimes generate a second cursor.

 

[sclamons]

Aha! I'm pretty sure this is what's happening -- my hands are decidedly lazy, and I suspect brushing up against the trackpad is what triggers the extra cursors. Why does this happen, though, and is there a way to disable it?

 

[chscag]

In order to avoid that from happening, you would have to disable the trackpad. You may not want to do that though. I always disable the trackpad on my portable Macs since I'm an old timer who prefers using a mouse instead.