TouchPad driver disable with other pointing devices

Question

I have an E1505 and have downloaded the latest TouchPad driver from the Dell website. Within the Mouse control panel is a checkbox to disable the TouchPad when another pointing device is active.   Is this a Dell specific addition to the driver?  I have also tried the Synaptics generic driver but this option is not available.   My issue revolves around the use of a Wacom pen tablet. When I have the Wacom pen tablet installed it puts in a device driver that is always active, even when the pen tablet is not plugged in.  Stupid, I know.    So when I have that option selected for the TouchPad and I boot up the computer without any tablet or external mouse attached, the TouchPad disables itself.  I have to either plug in a mouse (not always an option), or use the keyboard to uncheck the option (also a pain).  I like the feature and would like to be able to use it.    I have contacted Wacom and they say 'it's just the way it works'. Very helpful. I am wondering if Dell put this feature in and if they can either special case the Wacom driver or call Wacom and tell them to write proper Windows device drivers that unload themselves when their hardware is unplugged.   I don't know if any Dell people read these things, but thought I would post and see what kind of response I get.   Thanks for reading.   Scott

JustTrouble · Answer

I just received a new E1505 and I am experiencing the same problem.  I am using a Logitech cordless mouse and the touchpad does not reactivate when I remove the mouse transceiver from the USB port.  It too states that a USB input device is detected when it's not. I have installed the Logitech drivers for Vista and re-installed the Dell version of the Synaptics drivers with no success. Any help is appreciated.

zoom1505 · Answer

Wow.  I had forgotten about this post.   Here's my workaround, but I don't know if this will work for the Logitech problem.  I am using a Microsoft cordless mouse and it works fine with the touchpad when I don't have the tablet drivers activated.   The Wacom drivers have an associated Service that has to be running for the tablet to be recognized. The service is called 'tabletservice'.  I went to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services. Find TabletService and double-click. Set Startup type to Manual. Stop the service if the tablet isn't currently plugged in.   Now when the  machine starts the tabletservice doesn't run automatically and my touchpad and cordless mouse work together as expected.   With the tabletservice stopped if I try to start Photoshop it gives me two dialogs during startup that tell me to reinstall the tablet software.   When I want to use the tablet I run a batch file that has the following line:   net start tabletservice   I plug the tablet in and it works.  If I unplug the tablet I run another batch file (unless I'm just going to be shutting down the computer) with this line:   net stop tabletservice   Works OK.   Scott E1505, Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Notebook Laser Mouse 6000

Julzie · Answer

Hey, thanks!
I've been going nuts trying to figure out why my touchpad remains disabled even when no external USB device is present! I have a Wacom tablet too- I never suspected that. It's a pain because I only use the tablet at work even though I carry my notebook back and forth (I leave the tablet at work just because my laptop case has enough stuff in it- I'm a small person and my husband says I look silly with this big huge bag!).

I think it might be something with the newest Wacom driver; I'm thinking I might try uninstalling this driver and going back to an earlier one... I may "Return and Report" if you're interested.

zoom1505 · Answer

Please do report if the earlier driver solves the problem.   I talked with Wacom tech support and they said 'it's just the way it is' when asked why their driver has to have a service always running. It certainly isn't standard windows driver behavior.   I'm glad I'm not the only one having this problem.  Hopefully my workaround will work for you also.  It's a bit of a pain to remember to run the 'start tablet' batch file, but I've gotten used to it.   Scott

Julzie · Answer

Thanks, Scott!
You didn't say which Wacom tablet you have... the one I use with my notebook is a Graphire 2 4x5. I am downloading an older driver for it right now. I have used (and loved) Wacom tablets for years, and doing without it is NOT an option.

I am hoping that the older driver will work simply because the issue did not start until after i downloaded and installed the newest Wacom driver.

Message Edited by julzie on 05-20-2007 09:43 AM

zoom1505 · Answer

I have an Intuos3.  I cart it around everywhere as I work from home and an office and never know when I'm going to need it.  Everytime I leave it at work I end up needing it at home. Guess I could buy another and stop hauling them around.  That would make Wacom happy for sure. :smileyhappy:

Julzie · Answer

Ooh, I'd love to have an Intuos 3! I have two tablets- one 4x5 that I use for work, and one 6x8 at home.   Well, I tried an older driver. No luck. Still the same scenario. :smileymad:

zoom1505 · Answer

Bummer about the earlier driver.  It was worth a shot.   I like the Intuos 3, but of course I WANT the Cintiq. :smileyhappy:   Guess I have to start making more money. :smileyvery-happy:

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TouchPad driver disable with other pointing devices

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