Laptops :: Synaptics touchpad, again...



New to DSL, not to Linux (several years w/ slackware - My, how things have changed!)

I'm hard-drive installing DSL on a Compaq Presario 1610 (P150, 90mb RAM), which is showing the signs of having a synaptics touchpad (cursor runs straight to bottom of screen, etc).

I'd like, if possible, to get at least basic mouse function running without breaking the debian apt-get compatability by upgrading/patching/compiling kernels and GPM.

I used synaptic to pull down a version of GPM (1.19.6), and get it working with the touchpad.

[/usr/sbin/gpm -m /dev/psaux -t ps2 -R msc]

I then tried pointing TinyX at /dev/gpmdata by changing .xserverrc to:
[exec /usr/bin/X11/Xfbdev -mouse /dev/gpmdata,2 -nolisten tcp -I]

...but TinyX dosn't move the cursor, and leaves this on the console:
Switching to mouse protocol "bus"
Switching to mouse protocol "ps/2"
Switching to mouse protocol "imps/2"
Switching to mouse protocol "exps/2"
Switching to mouse protocol "bus"
Switching to mouse protocol "ps/2"
Switching to mouse protocol "imps/2"
Switching to mouse protocol "exps/2"
....(repeats...)

I've tried [-R ps2], [-R imps2] and [-R bm] with the same results.

The poor little thing's on it's last legs - I'd hate to have to compile a whole bunch of stuff on it and send it to an early grave.

Anybody got any new ideas?  Anybody who's updated their DSL install to include a new kernel and such want to post a package?  Would I be better off just installing full blown Knoppix or Debian?
does it have a ps/2 or a usb port? if so, I would pick up a real mouse and see if that works.

you also might make sure that the touchpad hasn't come loose from the motherboard (this requires cracking open your laptop, not for the feint of heart!)

I had this same problem with an old laptop i had picked up, I given up and was going to scrap it, but when i opened it up, the mouse had worked loose from the connection on the mobo. it was a bit of a pain to get inside without causing damage to the case, but now it works like a charm.

-J.P.
SaidinUnleashed
Hmm...

I would play around with your mouse config and see if you can get it working.

First off, try specifying a different number of mouse buttons like 3 or 5.

Also, if there is a way that you can test your gpm to see if your "repeater mode" was set up correctly, I would take your gpm out for a test drive.

If all else fails, you can install the full-blown Xwindows system after you have completed your hd install.

Good Luck.

original here.