A very belated "thank you" to those who replied.
Right at the time I posted, my computer did something strange and I assumed that I'd lost the post, since it didn't appear immediately. Didn't have the time or energy to redo it.
Just got back to Computers/Internet a couple of days ago and was surprised to find my post while looking for something else. So, I dug out a laptop cooler I had used in Asia and I have tried to stay away from the touchpad when typing. (My touchpad doesn't have a nipple--leave it to the troups on PPRuNE to work breast jokes into a computer discussion.) One or both of those measures seem to have helped. Will try to figure out the bios thing another day. Thanks again.