Trackpoint vs Touchpad

[Leon]

I'm a committed Trackpoint user. However, I have remapped the buttons on my Touchpad for useful functions. But, the Touchpad itself always gets in the way (meaning I accidentally brush against it). My question: Is there ANY WAY (registry hack or otherwise) to disable JUST the Touchpad, but NOT the Touchpad buttons?

[Kenn]

I'm a committed Trackpoint user. However, I have remapped the buttons on my Touchpad for useful functions. But, the Touchpad itself always gets in the way (meaning I accidentally brush against it). My question: Is there ANY WAY (registry hack or otherwise) to disable JUST the Touchpad, but NOT the Touchpad buttons?

I THINK you can do this with the reference Synaptic drivers (not the IBM ones). I was able to do the opposite (disable the touchstyk, keep the buttons active) on my HP laptop with the generic drivers.

I wanted to disable to touchpoint but keep the buttons, but IBM's ultranav drivers don't let you do that so I just popped out the eraser head - just as good. Too bad you can't do that with the touchpad.

[mattfromomaha]

You may be able to buy a replacement keyboard bezel w/o the touchpad. I know you can for the T30.

[Leon]

you can, but I want the buttons...

[n3il]

Leon,
I am almost 100% sure that this is possible using the UltraNav Wizard...

HTH

[Leon]

If I use UltraNav Wizard to disable the Pad, it also disables the Pad's buttons... can't see a way....

[n3il]

I haven't got my ThinkPad with me at the moment - will have a look tonight and report back....

[GreenLight]

I just discovered something fascinating about the trackpad on my T42 - running my finger up and down the right edge acts like a scroll wheel. I discovered this accidentally while browsing last night

[Leon]

yes! and the bottom edge will scroll as well....

[G-Man]

And you can do many other things with it. Just run UltaraNav Wizard, and you can easily customize it to your own taste.

Regards,
G-Man

[Leon]

..except to disable the pad and leave it's buttons active....

[Vasant56]

I buddy of mine was showing me his 14" thinkpad, and when I touched the touchpad it didn't work, and he said he disabled it.

I didn't really think twice about it (as I didn't really have to), but I can tell you it's possible.

[gte204i]

if you want it to be permenant, you could probably open up your TPAD find the wire(s) that connect to the touchpad and cut them. I don't know what the assembly looks like, or if it's accessible.

On the other hand, maybe you could stick some kind of insulating material on top of the touchpad - I'm not really sure how it works, but it does NOT work on pressure - touch it with a pen and you will see what I mean. If it works off of the electrical charges in your hand, you could try putting some electrical tape down.

Of course, a software solution would be much preferred.

[Kenn]

I buddy of mine was showing me his 14" thinkpad, and when I touched the touchpad it didn't work, and he said he disabled it.

I didn't really think twice about it (as I didn't really have to), but I can tell you it's possible.

As was mentioned before, the problem isn't disabling the whole thing, it's disabling it while keeping the bottom buttons working. I'm interested in finding a solution as well since I want to do the opposite and disable the trackpoint without disabling the 3 top ultranav buttons.

[gte204i]

right, there is probably a seperate wire for each button, a ground wire or two, and one (or more probably 2) for the touchpad. Cutting the right wires would take some inspection or experimentation, but I think you could do it if you were determined.

[Leon]

but I want a software solution!

[Humpa]

but I want a software solution!

I was going to post a little while ago. I got a kick out of the wire cutting solution.
... For some reason, I just couldn't picture you with a disassembled T42 and a pair of wire cutters.

[Chun-Yu]

This won't disable it completely, but try turning the "palm check" all the way up - that should prevent accidental brushes to the touchpad from moving the mouse.