I am trying to configure openSUSE 11.0 on my Dad’s Dell Latitude D531 (AMD64, but I am using x86 OS). Going fine so far, just the usual issues with wireless and graphics cards, with which I am familiar. But I am having trouble with the touchpad. The bottom half on the pad does not respond to touch. I know it is not dead, because it works on Windows XP and it worked fine on two previous installations of openSUSE (10.3 and 11.0). But what really confuses me is that if I touch the pad on the top half, I have complete control of the whole pad, that is, I can use the whole pad, and it responds fine. It is only if I lift my finger off the pad and touch the bottom half that it does not respond.
I am wondering if I need to modify my xorg.conf? I have never experienced this problem before, so I really need some hints.
A quick google search shows that BottomEdge is usually around 800 or so.
I would actually recommend commenting out or removing any of the entries
dealing with either the RIGHT edge, or the BOTTOM edge, and letting the
synaptics driver autodetect them.
Even the “TopEdge” or “LeftEdge” could be removed too.
Probably others as well, but those would be a good place to start.
By the way, I am not noticing it yet, but in previous installations the mouse would occasionally jump to random points on the screen while the touchpad was being used. Do you see anything in my xorg.conf that might cause that (or do you have an idea why it would ever do that in the first place?)?
{Chuckle} Either works… I’m lornix all over the web… search for it, it’s
probably me. {Grin}
Often older touchpads would jitter due to stray static charges, or
fluctuations in humidity. As technology got better, the reliability got
better. I use them, but personally dislike them strongly as I tend to
put my palm on them a little as I type and suddenly I’m typing /over
there/! This can be bad if I don’t notice it as I touch type rather
quickly.
If it’s my machine, I either disable them, or pull wires loose to make them
not work and then use my favorite external usb mice instead.
Anyways, glad to help, congratulations.
Loni
(if you really wanted to mess with Dad… add the TopEdge, BottomEdge,
LeftEdge and RightEdge options in with values to define a usable area about
1/8" square in the center of the pad…)
(not really recommended if Dad’s sense of humor is impaired today)