Touchpad problem since kernel update

neutrix · 2010-10-31 12:51:14

Hi all,

I've just installed my own custom kernel, it is effectively the vanilla 2.6.36 stable and I carried over the old arch configuration so most things should be the same. However, while the new kernel fixes all my touchscreen issues that I had before with my Acer 1420p it seems to have broken my touchpad mouse. The mouse sort of works, in the it registers some input but it is incredibly jumpy and erratic, and also seems to continually generate a right click every time I touch it.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? Is it likely to be a kernel setting that I've messed up or something else?

Thanks in advance.

Allan · 2010-11-01 01:39:08

Have you tried the 2.6.36 kernel in [testing]?

neutrix · 2010-11-01 08:45:19

Not yet actually, that is a very good idea. I'll give it a go and then post back. Thanks for the suggestion.

neutrix · 2010-11-01 08:59:04

Hi again,

I just installed the latest kernel from testing and the same problem persists. When using the touchscreen there are no problems, but when using the touchpad below the keyboard it sometimes doesn't respond, sometimes it moves really fast, sometimes it generates right click messages, which is really strange as it should only ever generate left click messages.

At least I now know that it wasn't just a problem with me compiling the kernel. My laptop/netbook model is an Acer 1420p. Does anyone have any more ideas? Or is there any more information that I could provide?

Thanks again.

neutrix · 2010-11-02 14:55:20

I've just tried using "xinput test" to check that input is coming from the device correctly.

When I run it for the touchpad all the input seems to be coming through correctly, it generates the correct left and right click messages, it generates the correct movement messages, however something seems to be interpreting them incorrectly as I still seem to get right click messages handled and erratic jumpy behaviour with the new kernel. I'm not sure what happens in between input and handling so I'm a bit out of my league.

Maybe it is something to do with the new multitouch code in the kernel? Both my touchpad and touch screen support multitouch, although I'm content just to get single touch working at the moment for both.

Thanks again.

Rede83 · 2010-11-10 17:51:32

I am experiencing the same behavior on my Acer laptop. Using the kernel from Testing.

neutrix · 2010-11-11 13:41:49

Great . At least now I know that it is not just problem with my configuration. I haven't yet been able to discover a solution, and the problem still occurs with the 2.6.37-rc1 vanilla kernel from kernel.org which I compiled and tested. Could you let me know if you manage to solve it? I will also post back here if I manage to figure it out. Thanks.

dptkby · 2010-11-12 08:08:41

Something similar going on here. Tried KDE version of openSUSE 11.4 milestone 3 (development version) and had the same problem there.

neutrix · 2010-11-12 10:14:48

I think that it has to be a kernel issue, so probably worth taking it up with them. I'll see if I can work out how to file a bug report. I shall link to the report here once it is done so that you can confirm it as an issue.

neutrix · 2010-11-12 10:38:35

I have opened a new bug with the kernel team. If you guys who are experiencing the problem could post over there with your computer information confirming the bug it'd be much appreciated. Link to the bug is https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=22772

Rede83 · 2010-11-17 18:52:25

neutrix wrote:

I have opened a new bug with the kernel team. If you guys who are experiencing the problem could post over there with your computer information confirming the bug it'd be much appreciated. Link to the bug is https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=22772

Excellent - thanks.

hermes · 2010-11-26 17:43:29

I'm experiencing the same problem with Acer Aspire 3820G. 2.6.36 is now in core, did anyone try to upgrade to it? Is the problem still there? If so, sticking with 2.6.35 seems the only viable option for now.
I'll give it a try as soon as possible, anyway.

nordmoen · 2010-11-26 21:47:24

I got the same problem on a Aspire TimelineX 3820T, I think the problem is in Synaptic as the same behavior isn't present when using an external mouse

neutrix · 2010-11-26 22:45:21

I still haven't heard anything on this, but I still have the problem. I am being forced to use an external mouse until it gets fixed. The problem is still in 2.6.37-rc3, I tried that a couple of days ago. I still haven't heard anything from the kernel bug that I reported, nobody has responded to it. If you could post on my kernel bug report that you have problems then maybe it will get more attention.

Thanks.

Last edited by neutrix (2010-11-26 22:45:43)

hermes · 2010-11-27 18:36:55

Ok, I've posted a report, hope this gains attention on the annoying bug.

ospinakamilo · 2010-11-29 02:11:37

Hi I'm new with Arch linux, I installed it today and I got the same problem here. I've got an Acer aspire 1410 laptop,
PS: I've got to use an external mouse too.

ctown.myth · 2010-11-30 13:41:16

I also have an Acer 1410 with touchpad issues; another thread about video issues with the 36 kernel commented that the LTS kernel fixes the problem - for all that are having downgrading issues or are just simply as lazy as I am this might work. I'll give it a spin later today and let everyone know.

Thread: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php … 72#p859472

neutrix · 2010-11-30 13:46:23

I am 100% sure that the lts kernel will fix it as the lts kernel is version 2.6.32.

This problem was only introduced in the 2.6.36 kernel, so even just downgrading to 2.6.35 will sort out the problem. The problem for me is that my acer's touchscreen will not work without the 2.6.36 kernel, so I am stuck using it without a mouse until a fix is released.

ctown.myth · 2010-11-30 14:22:50

The LTS kernel does fix the touchpad issue, but it respawns my KWin issues. I have an external mouse that I can dish out so I'll be sticking with the 36 kernel. Pretty desktops are catchy!

EDIT: Sorry neutrix: didn't look before posting.

Last edited by ctown.myth (2010-11-30 14:44:19)

hermes · 2010-11-30 15:02:38

ctown.myth wrote:

The LTS kernel does fix the touchpad issue, but it respawns my KWin issues. I have an external mouse that I can dish out so I'll be sticking with the 36 kernel. Pretty desktops are catchy!

Why don't you just stick with 2.6.35?

ctown.myth · 2010-11-30 15:27:51

hermes wrote:

ctown.myth wrote:
The LTS kernel does fix the touchpad issue, but it respawns my KWin issues. I have an external mouse that I can dish out so I'll be sticking with the 36 kernel. Pretty desktops are catchy!
Why don't you just stick with 2.6.35?

I have a bad habit of clearing my cache right after an update, at that point getting the LTS kernel was easier then downgrading.

higgins · 2010-12-01 22:15:16

Hi,

I do have exactly the same probleme with my acer 1825ptz.
touchpad was ok in 2.6.32
I upgraded my squeeze debian to 2.6.36. Touchscreen works now, but touchpad is a bit crazy.

My workaround for the moment is the following:

sudo modprobe -r psmouse
sudo modprobe psmouse proto=imps

it makes your touchpad working as a mouse. No VerticalSchroll, no Tap, but at least, it works.

If you want to make this automatically at boot: just create a file called touchpad.conf in /etc/modprobe.d/
and put in the file:
options psmouse proto=imps

Rgds,
Kevin

neutrix · 2010-12-02 08:56:14

Thanks for the temporary workaround Kevin, works like a charm. Hopefully someone can take a look at it soon. I'm thinking about having a look at the changes to the input system from 2.6.35 -> 2.6.36 tonight and see if I can figure out which bit is failing, but I am not very familiar with kernel code so I'm not sure if I'll be able to make much difference.

hermes · 2010-12-02 23:00:03

neutrix wrote:

Thanks for the temporary workaround Kevin, works like a charm. Hopefully someone can take a look at it soon. I'm thinking about having a look at the changes to the input system from 2.6.35 -> 2.6.36 tonight and see if I can figure out which bit is failing, but I am not very familiar with kernel code so I'm not sure if I'll be able to make much difference.

It would be great if you found the failing bit! I've never dug into kernel code, so I can't be of any help at the moment. Good luck, then, and thanks.

jeroenh · 2010-12-03 12:16:15

I have the same issues on a Fujitsu lifebook A530.
My other laptop, a HP-6530b, does not have this problem. I will try to compare the lspci output of the touchpad when I have the time.

Arch Linux

#1 2010-10-31 12:51:14

Touchpad problem since kernel update

#2 2010-11-01 01:39:08

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#3 2010-11-01 08:45:19

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#4 2010-11-01 08:59:04

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#5 2010-11-02 14:55:20

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#6 2010-11-10 17:51:32

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#7 2010-11-11 13:41:49

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#8 2010-11-12 08:08:41

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#9 2010-11-12 10:14:48

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#10 2010-11-12 10:38:35

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#11 2010-11-17 18:52:25

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#12 2010-11-26 17:43:29

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#13 2010-11-26 21:47:24

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#14 2010-11-26 22:45:21

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#15 2010-11-27 18:36:55

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#16 2010-11-29 02:11:37

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#17 2010-11-30 13:41:16

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#18 2010-11-30 13:46:23

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#19 2010-11-30 14:22:50

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#20 2010-11-30 15:02:38

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#21 2010-11-30 15:27:51

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#22 2010-12-01 22:15:16

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#23 2010-12-02 08:56:14

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#24 2010-12-02 23:00:03

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

#25 2010-12-03 12:16:15

Re: Touchpad problem since kernel update

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