Hi again,

On 27/12/20 16:20, Hendrik Boom wrote:
> My touchpad is absurdly sensitive, and I keep brushing against it by accident.
> I don't feel the touch at all, but the computer sure does.
> It can hapen while I'm typing and suddenly my text edit turns into a
> shell command in a newsly chosen window.
> I suspect even a few beard hairs can activate it.
>
> Now I usually use a wireless mouse on this computer though occasionally
> the mouse fails (usually low battery) an then I do want the touchpad.
>
> Is there any way to disable the touchpad normally, but to reactivate it
> easily when the mouse fails?
> (entering shell commands after ctl-alt-F2 would suffice; at that time I
> wouldn't be able to click on anything in the UI.

Install "xserver-xorg-input-synaptics" and try with the following commands:

synclient TouchPadOff=0  --> Enables the touchpad

synclient TouchPadOff=1  --> Disables the touchpad

Aitor.