How do I turn off the laptop touchpad?

[Sombeech]

Vista
Gateway Laptop

First of all, I know how to turn it off on CERTAIN laptops. You go into the control panel, mouse properties, and turn the "touch click" off, or whatever it's called.

This laptop simply doesn't have that option. I want to turn the tap-to-click off. I don't want to turn the touchpad itself off, because that's the only built in mouse. I'm just a little clumsy, and I'm tired of clicking crap because I send the laptop mixed signals.

Any hints?

[BruteForce]

Do you also use an external mouse, say a Logitech wireless? If so, install the Logitech software and it will provide additional options for the touchpad. Same goes for the MS Software for an external mouse.

[asdf]

On my old laptop I could just disable the touch pad in the Device Manager.

[CrazyFinn]

Using a hammer smash violently onto the mouse pad.
Viola - no more tap-to-click.

[Sombeech]

On my old laptop I could just disable the touch pad in the Device Manager.

Was that Vista as well? I've looked in the Device Manager too, I couldn't seem to find anything.

I'll try installing some Logitech software, even though I've got an HP mouse. (probably the same mouse)

We'll see how that goes.

[live2ride]

Using a hammer smash violently onto the mouse pad.
Viola - no more tap-to-click.

I agree with him!!!

[asdf]

Was that Vista as well?

It was Windows 98 ... I have not had a laptop for a long time.

[Redpb]

duct tape

[Jaxx]

I second covering it with duct tape.

[ilanimaka]

I'm not sure, but I thought Gateway used their own software to control things like this. In all programs, there should be some kind of utility software. I'm thinking you'll find your answers there.

[skianddive]

Sombeech,

I have access to a Gateway notebook with Vista Home Premium.

It has a Synaptics touchpad and a wireless mouse. If I right-click on the "Synaptics Pointing Device" icon in the system tray, I can deselect "Tap to Click"

You can also right-click on the icon and select "Pointing Device Properties". This will bring up a "Mouse Properties" dialog box with multiple tabs. If you select the "Device Settings" tab, you will see the Synaptics Touchpad listed with a "Disable" button - if you dare.

NOTE: If the icon does not appear in your computer's system tray, you can turn it on via the same "Device Settings" noted above, but you will access it via Control Panel instead.

[Sombeech]

It has a Synaptics touchpad and a wireless mouse. If I right-click on the "Synaptics Pointing Device" icon in the system tray, I can deselect "Tap to Click" .

Yeah, I've been looking for that thing, but it just ain't there.



I've done a search for synaptics on my machine too. Maybe I'll grab the OEM software and see what it has on it.

Or better yet, maybe there's a way to install Synaptics just so I can disable it.

[skianddive]

I have the bottom animated icon in my system tray (see attached picture).

What happens when you select one of the two bottom options from within Control Panel? Wouldn't you expect an icon to appear, possibly requiring a restart to APPLY it?

[Sombeech]

i'm just not getting those tabs

[skianddive]

What does your HARDWARE tab show? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

[Sombeech]

What does your HARDWARE tab show? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

[skianddive]

No mention of Synaptics, huh?

From that description in your dialog box, and since Microsoft doesn't make touchpad mice, I'm inclined to think that the previous touchpad mouse device was uninstalled, or the driver has been compromised, or if there was another mouse (wireless?) installed, it overrode the touchpad's settings incorrectly.

If you search your registry for the word "Synaptics", are there any entries? On the system I have, there are many.

This is getting interesting!

I've attached my Control Panel Device Manager dialog box showing both of the mice on my system.

[Sombeech]

This is a refurbished laptop, so anything goes.

I actually was kind of surprised to see that it wasn't completely "imaged" or wiped out. There were remnants in the "Windows Old" folder of the former user who's name was Maxie.

But anyways, I'm thinking the Synaptics was uninstalled or something. I still haven't had a chance to lok at the OEM disc yet. Maybe I'll find something there.

[skianddive]

This is a refurbished laptop, so anything goes.

I think that is the key. When the OEM's refurbish their units - or have 3rd parties do it - there is usually no concern for the correct drivers or OEM software. For them, it is a matter of getting them up and running, doing some basic testing, and shipping them.

Before the recent price drops and competition among PC and notebook manufacturers, I used to buy only refurb units (cheap!) because I knew they were usually in great condition and I could get them running in case they had some intermittent problems.

So given that your system was only partially wiped - and left klingons - you have the option of wiping it completely if you have the original OEM disk and installing the Synaptics OEM drivers/software, or manually rebuilding the drivers and software to match the hardware.

Have you tried using the generic drivers from the Synaptics website?

http://www.synaptics.com/support/drivers

Or have you tried finding the software/drivers via Gateway's confusing site?

http://support.gateway.com/support/d...ep.asp?Tab=All

[Sombeech]

Well, I finally got it.

I ended up downloading the Synaptics driver, just so I could disable the damned thing.

Much better. Man, that thing was super sensitive. I'd be typing, and the shadow from my thumb would command a click. My typing was all over the place.