Thanks for the replies... this is why it's been so difficult with support, they are blaming either the apps I'm using or contact of some sort with the LCD. I am holding the stylus at the very end and being extremely careful not to have any contact other than the tip of the stylus (hence the awful handwriting :-). I'm even staying far enough away to ensure that static isn't the problem, but I wouldn't think static would always send the spikes to the same place. I hadn't thought about the optical mouse though so I was hoping...