How to improve trackpoint resolution? RESOLVED

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CyberDude
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Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:58 am
Location: Europe

How to improve trackpoint resolution? RESOLVED

#1 Post by CyberDude » Sat May 23, 2009 10:45 am

My trackpoint resolution is terrible and I want to see if I can improve it. The mouse pointer seems to jump 3-4 pixels at a time and not glide smoothly across the screen. It makes pointing and clicking on things a little difficult. Where are the config files stored for the trackpoint?

I have a Thinkpad X60s which uses the trackpoint nipple between the keys as opposed to a touchpad. Is anybody else experiencing this with their trackpoint?

opensuSe 11.1
Gnome desktop
Mouse configured as IBM TTPS/2 Trackpoint

dmesg

Code: Select all

IBM TrackPoint firmware: 0x0e, buttons: 3/3
input: TPPS/2 IBM TrackPoint as /devices/platform/i8042/serio1/input/input1
These are the only two references to the trackpoint I found. Not sure it's of any help.
One of the last IBM branded Thinkpads.
IBM X60s 1704-56G running openSuSe 11.2 | KDE 4.5.4
IBM X30 2672-47G in retirement

CyberDude
Sophomore Member
Posts: 193
Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:58 am
Location: Europe

Re: How to improve trackpoint resolution? RESOLVED

#2 Post by CyberDude » Mon May 25, 2009 3:17 am

Ok, I resolved the problem. It was something quite basic in the end and was a misinterpretation of one of the settings.

In the Mouse preference setting GUI there is a slider for sensitivity. I understood this to be how sensitive you wanted the trackpoint to be, i.e. less or more fingure pressure to move it. It turns out that yes, while it does affect the sensitivity it also messes up the resolution, so low sensitivity=less pressure required but low resolution; high sensitivity=more pressure required but high resolution.

I found this a bit strange in that it affects both parameters. Is there a way of just adjusting the pressure sensitivity on the trackpoint as I prefer a light feel?
One of the last IBM branded Thinkpads.
IBM X60s 1704-56G running openSuSe 11.2 | KDE 4.5.4
IBM X30 2672-47G in retirement

CyberDude
Sophomore Member
Posts: 193
Joined: Sat May 01, 2004 4:58 am
Location: Europe

Re: How to improve trackpoint resolution? RESOLVED

#3 Post by CyberDude » Mon May 25, 2009 5:33 am

UPDATE
For those who may be interested. I found out how to change the sensitivity (how hard you need to push the nipple) of the trackpoint.

Issue this command where 180 is a value between 0-250 (higher number more sensitive):
# echo -n 180 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/sensitivity

Speed is adjusted with # echo -n 90 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/speed

Not the above is for Thinkpads with trackpoints only, if you have a trackpoint and touchpad then the path is a little different.
# echo -n 180 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/serio2/sensitivity
# echo -n 90 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/serio2/speed

Full details can be found here
One of the last IBM branded Thinkpads.
IBM X60s 1704-56G running openSuSe 11.2 | KDE 4.5.4
IBM X30 2672-47G in retirement

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