disabling mouse touchpad/ inspiron 6000

dell software doesn't seem to do it. any other way to do this? gets real annoying when typing a paper

on a dell notebook, go to control panel, then mouse (should be the first tab you see, otherwise 'devices' or such)

Check the BIOS for a "Pointing Device" option. On my Inspiron I can set it to:

-serial mouse - disable touchpad, use serial mouse
-ps/2 mouse - disable touchpad, use ps/2 mouse
-touch pad or ps/2 - allow both touchpad and ps/2 mouse