Thinkpads Forum

Hi there

Got a P1 that the trackpoint with the 3 buttons not working.
I tried a lot, different drivers etc.

It shows up in Bios as enabled.
In Windows prefs it is greyed out.

Is this no more to concider than a repair?

Perhaps booting to a Linux distro, which does not require installation, may tell you wether it's a hardware or software issue.

ZaZ wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:47 am

Perhaps booting to a Linux distro, which does not require installation, may tell you wether it's a hardware or software issue.

Interesting but new to me. A quick guide to get started on this would be highly appreciated.

I got it 2nd hand at a bargian so to confirm this HW vs SW is excactly what Im asking.

The BIOS diagnostics section should have a trackpoint test, but this sounds like a driver issue. If it passes the self-test, its a driver thing, if not, you could try re-seating the trackpoint connection between the keyboard and motherboard.

This may be of interest. Basically, you put the distro on a USB stick and tell the computer to boot to USB. Then follow the prompts. If it work in Linux it's likely a software issue, but if it does not work, then the hardware would seem to be the culprit. Alternatively, I've got a Blu ray burner I slapped together in 2005 and can burn a disc for doing installs, so if you've got an optical drive laying around, that's an option.

H-Atkinson wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:20 pm

The BIOS diagnostics section should have a trackpoint test, but this sounds like a driver issue. If it passes the self-test, its a driver thing, if not, you could try re-seating the trackpoint connection between the keyboard and motherboard.

Thanks, I was looking for a specific trackpoint test but my T570 trackpoint responds to the ps/2 mouse test. The P1 does not.

So my guess this is HW issue. Not sure if I wanna go ahead opening and re-seating.

Is there any reason to try the Linux/Ubunto boot after this?

I got a really good 2nd hand deal and have to concider returning it. Or get en even better discount. Ill have to talk to him.

If its not working in the BIOS then I don't see why Linux would make it work. I'd check HMM for the steps to replace the keyboard and then do those to get at the cable and re-seat it (iirc on the P1s its pretty easy, you take the bottom panel off and there's a ribbon that wraps around to the bottom side of the motherboard). Hopefully that fixes it, if not you may need a new keyboard, which on a P1G3 means the whole top case unfortunately. Is it under warranty still?

Linux be free while keyboards cost money. Pick the low hanging fruit first.

Try it if you want, but if its not working in BIOS it wont work in Linux.