Physical Switch to turn off touchpad, who knew?

10 years ago

Yesterday my 6 month old Gateway W8 17" Laptop suddenly stopped responding to the touch pad (called ELAN in the Device Manager Dialog box of Mouse). I used the keyboard to shut down, reboot gave no change, the ELAN did not move, or even show, a pointer.

I hooked up my wireless mouse and it worked fine. I entered the Mouse dialog and "unclicked" the disable ELAN when mouse is plugged in.. still no ability to use the ELAN.

I contacted Gateway Chat, got a fast response, within a minute and after a few minutes of explanation followed by a few minutes (under 5) of off-line research the tech came back and told me to "toggle" the ELAN. I replied: "What is a toggle".. well that took another couple of minutes of research by the tech (at least I must not be guilty of not reading instructions) and he said "operate F6".. I did and the ELAN returned to normal operation. Who knew??? Even the tech had to do a couple of minutes research... SO I SHARE IT HERE.

This may be unique to Gateway but I suspect it is at the OS level, that is at the W8 level and the Device Manager application...but, WHO KNOWS, I don't.

Hope my learning is of some value to others.

While we all prefer trouble free operation, Great Technical Support is the next best thing. That is why I usually come here, but this time I went to Gateway as the computer is still under warranty.

For Gatewatey: A+, Great, fast, polite experience in my case yesterday.

Comments (13)

PKponder TX Z7B
10 years ago
That's good to know. I just got a Gateway NE56R with Windows 8 and I'm learning :-)

What are you using for antivirus? I just uninstalled Norton and installed Avast Free.
owbist
10 years ago
Pam by default Windows Defender is installed, I have nothing else on mine.

If you bring up the Start page and just start to type Windows Defender then click on the Defender box that will show top left you will bring up a window similar to the MSE window.
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jerry_nj
Original Author
10 years ago
Pam,

I use and have used for years Avira Free.

Following owbist advice I find on my system W8 Gateway Windows Defender is ""off" because I have another anti virus running. I believe on my W7 and XP machines WD and Avira both run.. but "who knows", he says again : )
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
WD and AVG have been configured for real time on this Vista system since the day I opened the box. Installed Windows updates will occasionally disable WD, but a couple of clicks and it is right back on.

The Control Panel has an access to WD.

DA
jerry_nj
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, I need more "tips"... looking in Control Panel I can not find any access to WD. I figured it would be under the Security tab, couldn't find it there.

DA, are you saying you believe W8 should also be able to run both Avira and WD?

My W8 machine is set to automatically install updates.
emma
10 years ago
Jerry I bought an Acer convertible laptop/tablet and the finger control does not work well at all, it did a first but not now. I am off to buy a mouse today. I couldn't even find a way to turn it off without goggling. LOL I installed the classic shell so I could set it up and customize it . After I do that I am going to use the W 8 start screen and learn it. It is is quite a change working without a right click and I keep reaching for a mouse. I did Google a bit and found a way to right click, takes two hands. I haven't found a way to toggle between the shell and w 8 start page yet. Will work on that after I get a mouse.
mikie_gw
10 years ago
I just got a new mouse,, think it was 12.99 at bestbuy with free delivery. Logietech m325 wireless laptop mouse. Cool little mouse with a tiny little usb wireless device .Once got it adjusted and me adjusted to it.. love it. 18 month battery supposedly, single aa alkaline.
emma
10 years ago
I bought a mouse at BB because office max was not open and I was anxious to get back to W 8. I told them about the finger pad and they said to return it and they would replace it. The clerk told me how to turn it off and that is what I will do. On this acer I use the f7 key with the FN. The touch part will still work. When they release the upgrade for W 8 I will uninstall the classic shell before I install it. I hope it is better than shell. The laptop/tablet is really neat and very fast, especially at start up.
mikie_gw
10 years ago
My Lenovo laptop .. I installed the generic Synaptics driver from the Synaptics website. It allows you to disable the win8 features .. the funny acting new win8 touch stuff. Fn+F6 enables/disables touchpad or you can permanently disable from the user profile in control panels mouse settings.
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Jerry,

Since it is the same platform I think it would be a strong maybe. I can't see why a trial would hurt anything. The worst a user would have to do is start in Safe Mode to disable WD
jerry_nj
Original Author
10 years ago
I can't find any sign of WD. It doesn't show in the Control Panel list of programs nor in the CP's dialog box to turn processes on/off. Looks like I have to download from MS.

Emma/Mikie, the multi-function touch pad in W8 is one thing I like. I have most of the features off, but I use the two finger scroll like a wheel mouse's wheel. I purchased from Amazon a wireless mouse for some very low cost (don't remember but I think less than $10 shipped to my home) it is a nice mouse but when using a laptop am usually not in a good position to use a mouse.
emma
10 years ago
Jerry my touch paid is above the keyboard so I have a problem of not being able to rest hand on anything. Doesn't work to well to rest it on the keyboard. That is the only fault I found with this PC. For people who rely on the touch pad it will be uncomfortable.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Mon, Sep 16, 13 at 13:10
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Jerry,

Some reading for you.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Microsoft

Physical Switch to turn off touchpad, who knew?

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PKponder TX Z7B

owbist

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