Anyone have a link to older synaptics touchpad drivers?

The latest version doesn't have the option to disable the pointer stick on
the keyboard. SO my work machine I have to stop working about once per
hour while the pointstick does its calibration, I wish they would stop
putting those worthless things on the keyboard.

I'm confused. What makes it calibrate? I admit I have an IBM Thinkpad, but
the pointy stick works fine.

Tom
"Eugene" wrote in message
...
The latest version doesn't have the option to disable the pointer stick on
the keyboard. SO my work machine I have to stop working about once per
hour while the pointstick does its calibration, I wish they would stop
putting those worthless things on the keyboard.

Tom Scales wrote:

I'm confused. What makes it calibrate? I admit I have an IBM Thinkpad,
but the pointy stick works fine.

Tom
"Eugene" wrote in message
...
The latest version doesn't have the option to disable the pointer stick
on
the keyboard. SO my work machine I have to stop working about once per
hour while the pointstick does its calibration, I wish they would stop
putting those worthless things on the keyboard.

I don't think I've used/seen a laptop with a point stick that didn't do it.
I was told by IBM and Compaq that the point stick need to calibrate every
so often. I worked for a repair shop so I've seen/used/fixed a lot of
systems. I typically disable them on my own systems but this one issued to
my at my current workplace didn't have the option to disable it and I
downloaded the latest drivers and it still doesn't. Its doing like they
all do, every so often it will kick the mouse to one side of the screen and
hold it there, if you try to move it back with the touchpad or plug in an
external mouse the stick will just keep fighting you and pulling the mouse
to a side of the screen. If I push and hold on the point stick I can try
to force it back but I have to hold the opposite direction constantly.

I've owned at least a dozen machines, both Toshiba and IBM, with pointing
sticks (which are all based on licensed IBM technology) and NONE have shown
the symptoms you describe. Never. Not once.

Typing this on a stick machine (IBM Thinkpad X31).

Tom
"Eugene" wrote in message
...
Tom Scales wrote:

I'm confused. What makes it calibrate? I admit I have an IBM Thinkpad,
but the pointy stick works fine.

Tom
"Eugene" wrote in message
...
The latest version doesn't have the option to disable the pointer stick
on
the keyboard. SO my work machine I have to stop working about once per
hour while the pointstick does its calibration, I wish they would stop
putting those worthless things on the keyboard.

I don't think I've used/seen a laptop with a point stick that didn't do
it.
I was told by IBM and Compaq that the point stick need to calibrate every
so often. I worked for a repair shop so I've seen/used/fixed a lot of
systems. I typically disable them on my own systems but this one issued
to
my at my current workplace didn't have the option to disable it and I
downloaded the latest drivers and it still doesn't. Its doing like they
all do, every so often it will kick the mouse to one side of the screen
and
hold it there, if you try to move it back with the touchpad or plug in an
external mouse the stick will just keep fighting you and pulling the mouse
to a side of the screen. If I push and hold on the point stick I can try
to force it back but I have to hold the opposite direction constantly.

Tom Scales wrote:

I've owned at least a dozen machines, both Toshiba and IBM, with pointing
sticks (which are all based on licensed IBM technology) and NONE have
shown
the symptoms you describe. Never. Not once.

Typing this on a stick machine (IBM Thinkpad X31).

I was told by both IBM and compaq that the pointer moving off to one side
was normal. I've used/repaired hundreds, was service authorized on all
thinkpads, Armadas, and Omnibooks, as well as worked on laptops by Toshiba,
Digital, etc. Every one that I worked with for long enough with the point
stick would eventually do it.
But the point is I can't find a way to disable the stick on this laptop and
have to keep stopping and waiting on it, got a pointer to the drivers?

trackpoints/pointersticks are know to have drift when they are defective or
when there is some dirt stuck in them. remove the cap and try to clean it
out. otherwise replace the keyboard/pointerstick (about $30 for most dell
models). it is unclear what model you are talking about, but most have an
option in the bios that allow you to disable the internal
touchpad/pointerstick when an external mouse is connected. check that out
as an alternate solution to replaceing the keyboard/pointerstick.

"Eugene" wrote in message
news
Tom Scales wrote:

I've owned at least a dozen machines, both Toshiba and IBM, with
pointing
sticks (which are all based on licensed IBM technology) and NONE have
shown
the symptoms you describe. Never. Not once.

Typing this on a stick machine (IBM Thinkpad X31).

I was told by both IBM and compaq that the pointer moving off to one side
was normal. I've used/repaired hundreds, was service authorized on all
thinkpads, Armadas, and Omnibooks, as well as worked on laptops by
Toshiba,
Digital, etc. Every one that I worked with for long enough with the point
stick would eventually do it.
But the point is I can't find a way to disable the stick on this laptop
and
have to keep stopping and waiting on it, got a pointer to the drivers?

Christopher Muto wrote:

trackpoints/pointersticks are know to have drift when they are defective
or
when there is some dirt stuck in them. remove the cap and try to clean it
out. otherwise replace the keyboard/pointerstick (about $30 for most dell
models). it is unclear what model you are talking about, but most have an
option in the bios that allow you to disable the internal
touchpad/pointerstick when an external mouse is connected. check that out
as an alternate solution to replaceing the keyboard/pointerstick.

Company assigned machine so I don't have th option to replace the keyboard.
I cleaned everything out as best as I can and I'm not using an external
mouse as my couch has no mousepad I need to be able to disable the
stick and not the pad which is what they synaptics drivers used to do. My
last couple personal laptops had the either / or option so I could disable
the stick and just use the pad but I don't know why synaptics did away with
the option.

again you fail to mention the model that you are talking about.... some
have a connector that can be disconnected. since you choose not to provide
any specifics neither can i... go to support.dell.com you can look up the
service manual for you unit and learn how to break down the system and
disconnect the cable if possible. or just spend $30 of your own money and
replace the keyboard and its defective pointerstick in your company owned
machine. good luck.

"Eugene" wrote in message
...
Christopher Muto wrote:

trackpoints/pointersticks are know to have drift when they are defective
or
when there is some dirt stuck in them. remove the cap and try to clean
it
out. otherwise replace the keyboard/pointerstick (about $30 for most
dell
models). it is unclear what model you are talking about, but most have
an
option in the bios that allow you to disable the internal
touchpad/pointerstick when an external mouse is connected. check that
out
as an alternate solution to replaceing the keyboard/pointerstick.

Company assigned machine so I don't have th option to replace the
keyboard.
I cleaned everything out as best as I can and I'm not using an external
mouse as my couch has no mousepad I need to be able to disable the
stick and not the pad which is what they synaptics drivers used to do. My
last couple personal laptops had the either / or option so I could disable
the stick and just use the pad but I don't know why synaptics did away
with
the option.

Christopher Muto wrote:

again you fail to mention the model that you are talking about.... some
have a connector that can be disconnected. since you choose not to
provide
any specifics neither can i... go to support.dell.com you can look up the
service manual for you unit and learn how to break down the system and
disconnect the cable if possible. or just spend $30 of your own money and
replace the keyboard and its defective pointerstick in your company owned
machine. good luck.

"Eugene" wrote in message
...
Christopher Muto wrote:

trackpoints/pointersticks are know to have drift when they are
defective or
when there is some dirt stuck in them. remove the cap and try to clean
it
out. otherwise replace the keyboard/pointerstick (about $30 for most
dell
models). it is unclear what model you are talking about, but most have
an
option in the bios that allow you to disable the internal
touchpad/pointerstick when an external mouse is connected. check that
out
as an alternate solution to replaceing the keyboard/pointerstick.

Company assigned machine so I don't have th option to replace the
keyboard.
I cleaned everything out as best as I can and I'm not using an external
mouse as my couch has no mousepad I need to be able to disable the
stick and not the pad which is what they synaptics drivers used to do.
My last couple personal laptops had the either / or option so I could
disable the stick and just use the pad but I don't know why synaptics did
away
with
the option.



Hmm, guess I could do that, they usually are a seperate cable arn't they.
Its a C500/600 Latitude. I'll bet that panel above the keyboard pops off.

the panel above teh keyboard is removable but it is not necessary to remove
it to gain access to the keyboard and its connectors. read the service
manual.

"Eugene" wrote in message
...
Christopher Muto wrote:

again you fail to mention the model that you are talking about.... some
have a connector that can be disconnected. since you choose not to
provide
any specifics neither can i... go to support.dell.com you can look up
the
service manual for you unit and learn how to break down the system and
disconnect the cable if possible. or just spend $30 of your own money
and
replace the keyboard and its defective pointerstick in your company
owned
machine. good luck.

"Eugene" wrote in message
...
Christopher Muto wrote:

trackpoints/pointersticks are know to have drift when they are
defective or
when there is some dirt stuck in them. remove the cap and try to
clean
it
out. otherwise replace the keyboard/pointerstick (about $30 for most
dell
models). it is unclear what model you are talking about, but most
have
an
option in the bios that allow you to disable the internal
touchpad/pointerstick when an external mouse is connected. check
that
out
as an alternate solution to replaceing the keyboard/pointerstick.

Company assigned machine so I don't have th option to replace the
keyboard.
I cleaned everything out as best as I can and I'm not using an external
mouse as my couch has no mousepad I need to be able to disable the
stick and not the pad which is what they synaptics drivers used to do.
My last couple personal laptops had the either / or option so I could
disable the stick and just use the pad but I don't know why synaptics
did
away
with
the option.



Hmm, guess I could do that, they usually are a seperate cable arn't they.
Its a C500/600 Latitude. I'll bet that panel above the keyboard pops off.