Please help - Trackpoint not operational

[javaman24]

have a T60 laptop (purchased Jun 2006) which works great except for the trackpoint. For the last few months, the Trackpoint has not been working. The touchpad works.

Here are the steps I took to troubleshoot -

1. Updated Ultra NAV driver and Utility software (the latest from lenovo website). Actually uninstalled old version and re-installed new version

2. Updated the BIOS to the newer version and ensured that Trackpoint/NAV is set to enabled in BIOS

3. Replaced the keyboard (assumed it was a hardware problem). During replacement, I made sure it was properly seated to rule out a loose connection.

4. The motherboard was replaced last year (due to a another problem) so I assume it may not be the source of problem

I have searched this and other websites but am out of luck. Appreciate if any one can provide more leads/ideas to fix this. I am not sure if this is software related.

Thanks

[taichi]

Forgive me for offering what could be simpleminded advice, but did you go to control panel>mouse and make sure that Ultranav Trackpoint is enabled?

I only offer this because that is the only step I did not see in your list of thoughtful and proper steps. You mention it as enabled in BIOS, but not enabled in control panel.

[javaman24]

Yes, I did that.. Sorry, forgot to include that in the steps I had already undertaken

Thanks.

[taichi]

Did you try disabling the touchpad, and then try the trackpoint?

Sometimes a non-functioning touchpad can affect the trackpoint.

The other thing I found by reading is that sometimes when a MB is replaced a technician may not have firmly connected the cable corresponding to the trackpoint.

[javaman24]

Yes, I tried that.. The touchpad on the laptop works and has not been a problem (as of yet)

Thanks

[taichi]

I hope I'm not making you go down avenues you have trodden before, but have you gone through all the steps on this page?:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/diagnos ... IGR-4YQKLP

I wish I could help you resolve this.
I'm also wondering if an internal cable may not be connected properly.

What events happened with your computer before this occurred?

[lmittell]

I had the Trackpoint in my T60 fail. The culprit was the palmrest assembly. You might want to see if you can find an inexpensive palmrest here in the Marketplace or on Ebay and try it. Make sure it comes with the electronics. Some don't.

Larry

[lead_org]

if it is the palmrest assemblies that cause the problem, simply disconnect the palmrest's touchpad connection to the laptop motherboard and start the laptop. If the trackpoint works, then it is the palmrest touchpad that is causing the problem, if it doesn't fix the problem, then you should look for other alternatives.

I had something similar happen to me a while ago, it was simply the keyboard that was the culprit.

[javaman24]

Taichi - Sorry for my late response. I am not sure what the events were that caused the trackpoint to fail. I think it might be some software that is causing it to fail but not sure.

lmittell & lead_org - Thanks for the suggestion regarding the palm_rest. I will give it a try and report my results back

Thanks

[lmittell]

@lead_org-- assuming things work that way, that's a great tip. You've verified that the Trackpoint will work with the palmrest disconnected?

Larry

[taichi]

I know that I asked you about the Touchpad before, asking if you'd disabled it through the configuration utility, and then tried the TrackPoint. Your answer was that the Touchpad was working, but I'm unsure from your response if you'd tried disabling it anyway, and then tried the TrackPoint.

[javaman24]

taichi - Yes, I disabled the touchpad in the configuration utility and tried to see if it was affecting the trackpoint. I have not tried disabling the touchpad in the BIOS. Its worth a try and I will report back my results.

Thanks

[lead_org]

you can run the laptop without the palmrest.

[lmittell]

you can run the laptop without the palmrest.

I guess you're saying the Trackpoint will work under that circumstance. True?

Larry

[lead_org]

that is correct.

[taichi]

taichi - Yes, I disabled the touchpad in the configuration utility and tried to see if it was affecting the trackpoint. I have not tried disabling the touchpad in the BIOS. Its worth a try and I will report back my results.

Thanks

Did you give it a try, yet?

[lmittell]

that is correct.

Great, thanks!

Larry

[javaman24]

taichi - Yes, I tried it and it seems to have fixed the trackpoint. So, I disabled the Touchpad in the BIOS and can use my Trackpoint now. I will observe it for the next few days to see if the Trackpoint works consistently.

So, does this mean I have a bad Touchpad and will need to replace the palm rest (assuming I want to have a functional Touchpad)?

Thank you.

[taichi]

All I knew, javaman, is that trackpoint and touchpad are interrelated in some fashion. I was hoping that by disabling it you wouldn't have to disassemble the Thinkpad.

I'm happy that it worked out.

I would suspect either that your touchpad is defective, or that it is no longer connected correctly.

As an aside, I voluntarily disabled touchpad in Thinkpad Config, as I don't use it.

I'm a trackpoint man, through and through, as I find it more accurate.

[javaman24]

taichi - I hear you. I am also a trackpoint man.. I am glad to have it back..

Thank you.

[javaman24]

Its been a few days since I disabled the touchpad and the Trackpoint has been functional.

So, I will consider this problem solved. Thanks to everyone (esp taichi, lead_org & lmittell) for your suggestions and help !!