x40 and "Carpel-Tunnel"

Message

ivan · #1 Post by **ivan** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 7:54 am

has anyone felt that the x40's design worsens "carpel tunnel"-like pains? or simply a feeling of tiredness in fingers, hands and wrists.

2 years ago (before my x40) I had a bout of pain and tiredness in my wrists and fingers. it subsided, but resurfaces infrequently. i've had my x40 for three months now, and somehow i feel like the x40's trackball (edit: trackpoint) and its relatively smaller (and hard) keyboard (odd ctrl key) might not be helping. they might be forcing my hands into strainful positions (not noticable at any single moment, but after intense repetitive work)

of course, this is a problem with computers, and especially laptops in general. i just feel that with my beloved x40 i may have to be even more careful.

anyone have some relevant experience? greatly appreciated

#2 Post by **JaneL** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:26 am

The X40 has a trackball?

ivan · #3 Post by **ivan** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 9:40 am

sorry meant trackpoint, not ball

DavidNZ · #4 Post by **DavidNZ** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:33 pm

I haven't found working on the x40 keyboard to be terribly debilitating myself, but after about 5 months of use, i went with an external keyboard and monitor only because i was getting a sore neck. Right now, I estimate that about it is being used for 50% of the time on its own and the other half with the external components.

chrisb · #5 Post by **chrisb** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 2:19 pm

Hi, DavidNZ!

I have exactly the same problem with the trackpoint.
It needs too much force to move the cursor, due to this i have minor pains in my wrist.
I seldomly experienced this before, because i was almost constantly using a trackpad.

So I started to look for a cure. And finally found
http://wwwcssrv.almaden.ibm.com/trackpo ... nload.html

Here you are able to find a tool "tpcom", the specs and a lot of other information.

The tool enables you to make changes to the trackpad beyond utilities abilities.
For details on my changes check "TrackPoint System Version 4.0 Engineering Specification" Page 24

Code: Select all

At the moment i use: 

# maximum sensivity to force on x,y axis ; 
tpcom e2 81 4a ff
#Lower response to change of force
tpcom e2 81 4d 04 
# Faster acceleration
tpcom e2 81  60 fd
# Lower Z-Axis (Press-to-Select) force threshold
tpcom e2 81 5c 03 

Reset to IBM defaults:
tpcom e2 81 4a 80
tpcom e2 81 4d 06
tpcom e2 81 60 61
tpcom e2 81 5c 08

Settings are not perfect for me but are helpful.

Please post if you find a better setup.

cu chrisb

DavidNZ · #6 Post by **DavidNZ** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:41 pm

Actually, my problem wasn't with the trackpoint because I never use it. I've always used an external mouse. For me, it was neck position looking down at the screen. The X40 is almost *too* small for daily use, all-day, months on end. At least for me, anyway...

ivan · #7 Post by **ivan** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:19 am

thanks for the tip chris! ill try that.

for me the prolblem is mostly the trackpoint.

the keyboard (less x40 specific) being somewhat tight also is a bit of a problem (forcing wrists into strainful angles)

-ivan

ivan · #8 Post by **ivan** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:25 am

chris, a question:

if i install this beta driver and don't like it, is it easy to later go back to the previous driver/setup?

kalo93406 · #9 Post by **kalo93406** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:48 pm

chrisb wrote:Hi, DavidNZ!

Here you are able to find a tool "tpcom", the specs and a lot of other information.

The tool enables you to make changes to the trackpad beyond utilities abilities.
For details on my changes check "TrackPoint System Version 4.0 Engineering Specification" Page 24

cu chrisb

Chris.. One of my only complaints when I first got the X40 was the amout of fource required to move the trackpoint/pointer...

i'm greatful if i can get it to be more sensitive, but I cann't seem to get this tpcom.exe to do anything for me.. I click it and see a very quick black box flash on my screen, but that is it.. any ideas??? thank you... R:)

chrisb · #10 Post by **chrisb** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:02 am

Which beta driver?

kalo93406 · #11 Post by **kalo93406** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:55 pm

Chris,

Got your message and was able to execute tpcom from the comand prompt.

Yes, it made a huge differance. Its almost too fast now but since I had both sensitivity and acceneration maxed out using the slider bars now I can adjust it down a little if i need too.

I can't believe IBM doesnt' know this need tweeking.. it was such a strain on my finger at first.

Thanks a million!

Cheers.. R:)

kalo93406 · #12 Post by **kalo93406** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:32 am

chrisb wrote:Hi, DavidNZ!

# maximum sensivity to force on x,y axis ;
tpcom e2 81 4a ff
#Lower response to change of force
tpcom e2 81 4d 04
# Faster acceleration
tpcom e2 81 60 fd
# Lower Z-Axis (Press-to-Select) force threshold
tpcom e2 81 5c 03

cu chrisb

Chris.. I've noticed these setting do not hold on the next start up. Do you use a bat file or something at startup?

Also.. these letters/numbers on the end.. how can i understand how they relate to a speed range.. I want to adjust the acceleration a bit lower...

Thanks for any info you can offer.. R:)

beeblebrox · #13 Post by **beeblebrox** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 12:59 pm

Guys,
I don't know what you are trying with typing in the commands.
I had the very same problems with the stiff trackpoint, and the very first thing I do with a new ThinkPad ist going in the the Ultrnav menu and set the sensitivity and mouse acceleration way up.

it is in the UltraNav or trackpoint wizard !!

gazingwa · #14 Post by **gazingwa** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:49 pm

Me too, just a preference, i set my trackpoint speed almost full

kalo93406 · #15 Post by **kalo93406** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:51 pm

These setting allow for even higher sensitivity and acceleration than is allowed by adjusting the sliders all the way to the right... It's pretty cool really, but the seem to be a couple quirks for me anyway...

x40 and "Carpel-Tunnel"

x40 and "Carpel-Tunnel"

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Ivan: Beta Driver

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