Pen input reverse on X61Tablet with external screen

[Wojciech_czyz]

Hello,

Seen many issues when using secondary screen, solved all of them, here is what is the REMAINING issue:

-X61Tablet docked on X6 ultra station,
-external monitor hooked up and selected as primary, Thinkpad screen is secondary.
- All the latest drivers installed, inlcuding Intel one.
- Windows Vista Ultimate 64 + SP1

1. I want to have Thinkpad screen as a place to take notes with OneNote using Pen. I configured the screen orientation for both screens correct, with Thinkpadscreen reverse(180 using Intel tools) so I SEE things correctly, but when WRITING the pen works reverse on the thinkpad screen.

2. In some cases Pen works (correctly I think) only on the Thinkpad screen and windows I move into it. But sometimes it works as input on the Primary external screen. Why and how to control this?

3. At some ocasion I seen my Windows icons on Thinkpad screen that is secondary screen, and the windows bar on the primary screen (external one) Why? How to control it?

Thank you,
Wojciech

[Wojciech_czyz]

Come on, somebody who got the external monitor set as primary, please share your experience.

I am sure there are more guys that want to make notes using their pen, and have external monitor set as primary, how do you make the pen to get input correctly?

Anybody?

[sbell22]

I struggled with this too, and my x61 is docked to the superbase next to a Dell 24" running 1920x1200. I am running Windows 32-bit/Vista Business and have installed all the Lenovo upgrades, PLUS went to the Intel site and downloaded the latest upgrade for the Intel 965 Graphics chipset. But I got a warning when installing it so haven't completed that install; rolling back the intel driver install might fix your problem; you never know.

I am able to use my pen ok, and using the pen no longer locks me up. However, things are not all rosy yet on my machine. I get frequent major system "freezes" several times a day - usually just while running Firefox and Outlook 07, during those even CTL-ALT-DEL won't budge the machine, so I have to use a "hold power switch hard reset" to get it free. My Office installation is troublesome - it validated on install, but Microsoft's website blocks me from any add-ons or updates, saying it won't validate as "Genuine". Been struggling with that for 10 days with the techs at Micro Center, locally here where I purchased both the x61 tablet, and the Microsoft Office 2007 (Standard) Upgrade.

Anyway, hth - it can be done. Not sure why mine works as a beside-external tablet and yours doesn't. I also set the tablet as the primary, it want to default the other way - that was a problem at first. In the graphics setup program, did you check what version driver you're using? Here's the info from mine (below).

I'm running in two-independent-screen ("extend the desktop") mode. Tried displaying the same image on the external, and using
the notebook primarily as tablet input device; that didn't work out well.

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Mobile Report


Report Date: 11/26/2007
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 07:53:01
Driver Version: 7.14.10.1244
Operating System: Windows Vista (TM) Business* , (6.0.6000)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 10.0
Physical Memory: 2005 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 8 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 358 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 133 MB
Processor: x86 family 6 Model 15 Stepping 10
Processor Speed: 1595 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 2A02
Device Revision: 0C


* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Video BIOS: 1436
Current Graphics Mode: 1400 by 1050 True Color (50 Hz)



* Devices Connected to the Graphics Accelerator *


Active Notebook Displays: 1


* Notebook *

Monitor Name: ThinkPad Display 1400x1050
Display Type: Digital
Gamma Value: 2.20
DDC2 Protocol: Supported
Maximum Image Size: Horizontal: Not Available
Vertical: Not Available
Monitor Supported Modes:
640 by 480 (60 Hz)
800 by 600 (60 Hz)
1024 by 768 (60 Hz)
1280 by 1024 (60 Hz)
1400 by 1050 (50 Hz)
Display Power Management Support:
Standby Mode: Supported
Suspend Mode: Supported
Active Off Mode: Supported

* Other names and brands are the property of their respective owners.
-steve

[sbell22]

PS, that is my graphics info when "undocked", as i am out of town on business. Wednesday I'll be back, could run it while docked and using it as tablet. That info is at [right click on desktop+], 'Graphics Properties', 'Information' Tab.

[Wojciech_czyz]

Read your post carefully, not sure about 2 items:

1. Do you have external screen set as primary? This is what I want to have, as extenral monitor is my primary working surface where I want Windows bar and start button.

2. Do you have Ultrabase 6 dock station used? In other words, when it is docked and in tablet mode, "battery side" is away from you?

Thank you

[sbell22]

I do not have external screen set as primary. That would be preferable, but I gave up on it. Once I used the x61 as primary, I had better luck with tablet capability while docked. I agree though, it should be possible to use the external monitor as primary, since the x61 has such a small screen. You would think Lenovo would have someone actually USING the machine and think of that sort of thing! But it appears to have been neglected.

I don't know if my dock is the Ultra 6 - I just bought my x61 four weeks ago, and it's the standard dock that comes with it. I am traveling and can't check it until I return home later this week, if that's important. Isn't there only one dock model? The one with the built-in optical drive, that the x61 mates to on the bottom-side connector.

[Wojciech_czyz]

Seems Lenovo synchronized rotation with primary display only. I suppose the only way is to press them or investigate more the thing. Below some details.

I did some research about Wacom, seems they had pen tablet rotation possibility in their driver, that was available directly to the user. Since some driver version they have removed this option from preferences application, but left configuration file that could be (theoretically) modified using text editor.

Few details>>>
Documents and Settings\user name\Local Settings\Application Data\pen_tablet.dat
By changing CtxMgrOrientation this should rotate, when the tablet service is stopped and restarted. I tried it and no joy, does not rotate...
End details>>>

More ideas from Wacom People, Lenovo etc?

[Wojciech_czyz]

Just checked it on the friend´s X60 tablet and Windows XP Tablet - exactly the same. Now I am sure it must be a driver fault.

Could you help?
- Lenovo/Wacom people could help by making new fixed release
- Experienced forum users could help by finding workarounds.

[sbell22]

I am swamped this week with business demands, but happy to try to help once I get out from under work. Today I have people waiting for results from my work overload, meetings, etc but I'm interested in this problem and would be glad to try and help you out later. PM me if you have urgent need to get more info, I've appreciated YOUR help in the past!

I think what's really needed is a big driver update from Lenovo, anyway... you can futz (a lot) with the x61 and "kind of" get something to work... but then next reboot you have to go through it all over again... I've quit using mine with external display as a result... but it's great as a stand-alone laptop and tablet PC! Once I got the freezes fixed, and installed the full version of Office 2007 to get around my WGA headaches.

-steve

[crashnburn]

Is it possible to use the Tablet screen as a writing pad that actually writes on a larger screen instead?