Thinkpads Forum

Hi
here is the short description of my recent project on integration of a third party touchpad into the x61 palmrest.

So first I searched the web for a source to buy a touchpad that would be small enough to fit to the palmrest.
Found this guy: http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/eu/erg ... uchpad.php
when it arrived the project started:

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... d.jpg.html

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 0.jpg.html

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 4.jpg.html
modem leaves the building...
http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 6.jpg.html

When the palmrest was ready started modifications of the touchpad. Had to pill-off the back protection (need to be very careful because it is glued directly to the circuit board). Also grinded it a little bit to make narrower to fit in the place.

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 8.jpg.html

had to cut off the back of the speaker box. Luckily the speaker is position low in the box so the cutting of the box didn't harm it. taped the box from above to prevent dust accumulation inside.

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 0.jpg.html

first alignments

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 4.jpg.html

soldiered the usb wires to the pins of one usb ports. Blocked the usb port from outside as it wont be usable anymore.

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 3.jpg.html

and voila!

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 5.jpg.html

The touchpad works like a charm. Tap is for the left click, upper right corner tap does right click, right edge swipe does scrolling. There is also a soft available on the website for gesture configuration.

Wasn't an easy modification though. Mainly because of tight space and bulky chips at the back of the palmrest.
Drawbacks:

1. minus one usb port on machine (if there is a second mini pcie port and the white list is removed from the bios, then it can be connected through
Mini PCI-E to USB 2.0 Card Adapter)
2. no modem (but who needs modem)
3. need to press a bit harder to lock the screen when closing the lid (nothing special).

http://s131.photobucket.com/user/vavet/ ... 2.jpg.html

Unfortunately I scratched the palmrest a bit during the work. Now waiting for the leather skin to arrive to wrap it.
Once done will probably sell the machine for a budget for my next project (touchscreen on x61s).

BTW, the machine has sxga+ screen with led backlight (last project )

Cheers

Moderator edit: Added picture warning, changed pictures into links.

Please read the Forum Rules:
5. IF you must add a photograph to your post, PLEASE limit the size to 50k or less and place a warning in the subject line.

Nice mod! Congrats!!

Great work!

Very nice looking mod!

Wow, that's absolutely amazing!

You sir, have serious skills and a sense for aesthetics.

thank you guys, more pics to come

We'll try to be patient

I'm curious, why the touch pad when you've best mousing device already? Very nicely done and you've certainly got a unique X61.

ZaZ wrote:I'm curious, why the touch pad when you've best mousing device already? Very nicely done and you've certainly got a unique X61.

Well, good question...
Actually, just for fun I was tuning car engines back in Armenia. When moved to Switzerland this turned to be a bit expensive (and illegal) so had to find myself a cheaper and legal alternative

Actually I have another sxga+ x61s (without touchpad), which is my main machine. This one will be on sale when finished to fund my next mod.

wrapped the palmrest and touchpad.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301 ... 235453.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301 ... 235505.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p301 ... 235546.jpg

X61s carbon!

Now that is one sweet X61s!!!

Does anyone know how a non powered usb hub is done. Was wondering if I could leave the usb port usable.
Or if there is a way to get to usb from another location on the mainboard (fingerprint scanner connector for example).

Twistero posted a comprehensive list of all the 8 USB ports in the X61.

You may be able to connect to one of the others instead. He also mentioned some schematics, which might help you figuring it out.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 18#p697733

vavet wrote:Does anyone know how a non powered usb hub is done. Was wondering if I could leave the usb port usable.
Or if there is a way to get to usb from another location on the mainboard (fingerprint scanner connector for example).

Your best bet would be the WWAN slot if you don't already have a USB-based card in there (and judging by the antenna count, you don't have a WWAN card). Even if there's no connector, you can easily solder thin wires directly to the USB pins, although you'll have to get 5V power somewhere else.
Otherwise, you could try hijacking the docking connector / bluetooth / fingerprint scanner's USB pins. You may have to discover the pinout yourself, or read a motherboard schematic. Forum rules do not allow posting such schematics here.

If you want to splice a USB hub behind an existing external USB port, you'll have to disconnect it from the motherboard traces, perhaps by cutting the traces directly? That sounds quite dangerous to me.

I was thinking about wwan too, I'll see what I can do. need to find motherboard schematics first

Is there any cheaper alternative touchpad(s)?

BTW has there ever been an touchpad with AC97 interface?

RMSMajestic wrote:Is there any cheaper alternative touchpad(s)?

BTW has there ever been an touchpad with AC97 interface?

The touchpad I bought as ERGO Touchpad (http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/ergonomic_touchpad.php) is actually the model TM9925 produced by Cirque (http://www.cirque.com/solutions/oemtouchpads.aspx)

You can find a bit cheaper re-sellers but most of them focus mainly on wholesale market. If you manage to convince them to sell one to you it probably can be a bit cheaper but international shipping might cost you more.

As for AC97, I don't think it supports mice

The machine is now on sale!

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=115453

vavet wrote:The machine is now on sale!

Good luck with the sale! You've done great work on that machine, and if I had any money these days, I'd be bidding on it.

amazing work, just too labor intensive for me. Do they sell a wireless touchpad I could dremel a spot for and connect wirelessly?

If you want a cheap touchpad, just buy one for a T60/T61. Those seem sized very well for the X61. I can find them for $5 plus shipping here, brand new.

jedisurfer1 wrote:amazing work, just too labor intensive for me. Do they sell a wireless touchpad I could dremel a spot for and connect wirelessly?

Separate touchpads are all rather large. I really like the Apple one besides the push to click functionality.

Nice mod and good explanation

much as I detest touchpads, this is still great work and a really awesome mod.

(...I've actually been trying to figure out how easy it might be to do the exact opposite to an X220t. simply filling it in seems like it would never look perfect; and I haven't spent much time yet on researching if any other models' palmrests might be a close enough fit.

Nice modification, but personally I hate Touchpad. I'll never give up my TrackPoint

I've actually been trying to figure out how easy it might be to do the exact opposite to an X220t.

You can get a spare palmrest and try cutting a rectangular piece from either the left or right side that's exactly the same size and shape as the touchpad.

another one is coming soon ...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ynYSui ... sp=sharing

Looks great as usual.

Will you be doing the mod that uses one of the 3 external USB ports, or the Cardbus slot? I think the former one is better.

Thanks,
I will use the mini pcie with a usb adapter.