sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Dell Laptop touchpad quits working

My dell laptop has issues with the touchpad. When I uninstall the drivers for the Human interface device, and reboot the PC the touchpad works fine, but the touchpad quits working again after a reboot, or shut down and restart later. Any ideas where to start?

thanks!

Get a mouse.

Have you removed anything,installed anything or upgraded anything prior to this problem?

-Hal

I formatted the hard drive and reinstalled windows and the drivers. So, Im sure it has something to do with the new configuration.

The laptop is a Dell Inspirion 5100. I am currently looking for drivers on the main site.

updated current drivers on dell site. still same issue arises.

I don't know how much of a computer guy you are, but I frankly find Dell to be one of the easiest machines to solve these kinds of problems for. It's easy to make fun of Dell because of their ubiquity. But the truth is that they don't make a habit of using proprietary hardware AND their upgrades, basic software and gotchas are all rather well documented on the Dell website. Pump in your Asset Tag or use the ActiveX utility to have the website pull it for you. It couldn't be easier.

I don't understand why you took out the HID driver in the first place. Perhaps you read somewhere that this was a wasteful thing for all but those few digital artists that use a Wacom board. Don't believe everything you read (unless you read it here). The Human Interface Driver/executable, hidfind.exe and Apoint.exe work together to make the touchpads behave.

PEBKAC.

Buy a Mac.


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I agree with dagwoodsystems, the Dell site for ID and support of your computer is easy to deal with (practice makes perfect).

click here , for the main Dell "identify your system page" and don't forget about the Express Service Code, for phone support.

click here for the automated scan page.

What led to the reformat and reinstall and did you not make a back-up, before the R&R of XP?

I'm not sure if on that particular model that the touchpad drivers are run as a service or not (some are). A way to check is to look in your services and arrange them by start up type, with automatic on top. look through those and look for a Touchpad or Pointing Device service, maybe by Dell..maybe by OEM manf. name (synapsis?)... and verify it's started.

also look in Device Manager and see if the device is reporting as running properly. If it is ... but it isn't working I would uninstall the hardware. And File>>scan for hardware changes and let windows reinstall it from scratch or when it prompts point it to your new drivers you got from Dell.

barring that it's most likely hardware, you can order those touchpads off ebay or if you're under warranty Dell will replace it.