can't disable touchpad
Hi, I have a dell, see screenshot below as to what I'm running.
I don't want the synaptics touchpad available when I have a USB mouse installed. I couldn't find instructions for that, so I followed some instructions the other day to remove it completely through the device manager. But now it's working, but I can't even temporarily disable it since it doesn't show up in the device manager or on mouse settings. Help!
I don't want the synaptics touchpad available when I have a USB mouse installed. I couldn't find instructions for that, so I followed some instructions the other day to remove it completely through the device manager. But now it's working, but I can't even temporarily disable it since it doesn't show up in the device manager or on mouse settings. Help!
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Actually, once you've reinstalled the driver (deleting it from Device Manager removed the driver),
1) right-click the touchpad icon in the Notification Area (nee System Tray)
2) Select Pointing Device Properties
3) On the Devices tab, check the box to disable the touchpad when a USB pointing device is present.
1) right-click the touchpad icon in the Notification Area (nee System Tray)
2) Select Pointing Device Properties
3) On the Devices tab, check the box to disable the touchpad when a USB pointing device is present.
ASKER
Thanks- I downloaded this and installed it successfully, but the device driver still doesn't show the device. Windows 8/7/XP/Vistroma 64/32-bit Edition v17.0.19
from: http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers
from: http://www.synaptics.com/resources/drivers
I suggest uninstalling that application and drivers (start in Control Panel - Programs and Features - uninstall any synaptics application you find there, next run devmgmt.msc again and uninstall the touchpad device), then install the proper synaptics driver from Dell (as previously suggested by Michael-Best in http:#a39827969 ).
ASKER
Thanks for all your advice. I uninstalled the driver I had, and installed the recommended Dell driver. I still don't have, nor have I ever had, the interface Dar247 shows, with the option to disable the touchpad when a USB mouse is present. This is what I see, same as before:
What has been happening is it re-enables at start-up, then I disable it. I'd rather not have to do that, and I'll let you know what happens on start-up now. I looked in the BIOS and didn't see anything to do with the mouse at all. Thanks again!
What has been happening is it re-enables at start-up, then I disable it. I'd rather not have to do that, and I'll let you know what happens on start-up now. I looked in the BIOS and didn't see anything to do with the mouse at all. Thanks again!
Could you snap a picture of the BIOS home page? - It might help with navigating you to the right place (if it is a user option) I'm surrounded by Latitudes so don't have anything to compare with right now.
ASKER
Sure, I'll do that today sometime. In the middle of a workday, so don't want to restart at the moment. Thanks!
Have you tried installing the Logitech travel mouse drivers, too?
I have that package installed on my Inspiron, even though I hardly ever use it... maybe that's what actually added those extra tabs and options shown in my screen shot?
I have that package installed on my Inspiron, even though I hardly ever use it... maybe that's what actually added those extra tabs and options shown in my screen shot?
ASKER
I'll give it a try, thanks!!
ASKER
No, that didn't work, thanks for the try. I'll uninstall that. (I rebooted before checking).
I'm posting a photo of my BIOS for MASQUERAID!
I'm posting a photo of my BIOS for MASQUERAID!
ASKER
Actually, everyone, the touchpad has remained disabled through a few reboots, so I think I have my answer! I'll award points, thanks to all.
ASKER
Seems to be working, thanks!
Good stuff! Thanks for posting the picture - unless there's an option under "Advanced" the BIOS suggestion prob wasn't going to work for you anyway.
ASKER
Thanks- I did check that, and nope, nada. Thanks for all your help!
Depending on your driver you can also click on the touchpad icon in the taskbar which should open to give you a checkbox to "Disable Touchpad if USB Pointing Device is present". This is user/profile specific. The BIOS option shuts it down for all users.
In your Device Manager screenshot it is the PS2 mouse