On Fri, 2021-02-05 at 13:23 +0000, g4sra via Dng wrote:
> Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.
> ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐On Friday, February 5, 2021 11:12 AM,
> Florian Zieboll via Dng <dng@???> wrote:
> > Am 4. Februar 2021 20:13:49 MEZ schrieb g4sra g4sra@???:
> > > ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐On Thursday, February 4, 2021
> > > 6:59 PM, Florian Zieboll via Dng dng@??? wrote:Thanks
> > > for the reply Florian
> > > > Am 4. Februar 2021 18:15:06 MEZ schrieb g4sra via Dng
> > > > dng@???:
> > > > > Does anyone know how to re-enable a Synaptics Touchpad in
> > > > > Linux after it has been turned off in Windows using Fn+F9 ?
> > > >
> > > > If this key combo really changed something "in hardware", i
> > > > assume that a "hard reset" of the notebook(?!) should solve the
> > > > issue...Usually, this is accomplished by removing all power
> > > > sources and periphery, and then holding down the power button
> > > > for 15-20 seconds. The idea is to remove any stored electricity
> > > > (from ac adapter, battery, capacitors) to clear all non-
> > > > persistent storage.
> > >
> > > That is what googling said too, unfortunately it didn't work.
> > > > Your devices miles may vary, the manual should mention it.
> > >
> > > The manual is not much use at all, being digital it won't even
> > > serve purpose in the WC.
> > > > libre grüße,Florian
> > >
> > > By first installing Windows 7 and then the Synaptic drivers on an
> > > old HDD I was able to restore touchpad functionality with the
> > > Fn+F9 switching. This is a programmable multi-gesture touchpad
> > > which I guess may have flash memory.There has got to be a better
> > > way....
> >
> > Hallo g4sra,
> > as you replied off-list and I don't know of any better way, I bring
> > the issue back to the list:
>
> Thanks for that. This email client will not reply to the list. It
> considers to do so a security issue because of an authentication
> failure. If I post directly to the list then the message thread is
> lost.
> I have tried something new.. it will allow me to CC, so I have done
> that replying directly to you, deleted the To, and promoted the CC,
> so if the message id has remained intact this may be a way around the
> problem.
>
> > Perhaps someone has a hint on resetting the device, if you'd reveal
> > its make and model?
>
> Laptop make is mostly irrelevant as the hardware is self-contained as
> manufactured by Synaptics. I believe the communication is SMBus in
> this instance, I know of no way to interrogate the touchpad itself
> other than by what is reported using Synaptics drivers for Windows.
> > Another idea out of thin air: Did you remove the CMOS battery - or
> > does the notebook provide a button (or pins) to reset the bios
> > password?
>
> Yes, I did a thorough cold power-up.
>
> > libre Grüße,Florian
>
> I am looking for a 'Linux software' solution to this
> problem.Currently grepping the kernel source to see if any giveaways
> in the DTB sources.
>
>
>
>
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Sorry if I missed it, but did you ever just boot into the bios and look
for the toggle there?

I know you said you're looking for a linux software solution to this,
but I thought I'd mention this since I hadn't seen it mentioned. My
apologies if I missed it somewhere.

According to a web search about the subject (serverfault I believe)
bios makers sometimes work with microsoft to provide limited api type
functionality (for things like the f9 you mentioned I assume).

In my case, I can turn off the touchpad through the bios under config >
keyboard/mouse.

Gabe