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Question

Dead touchpad

Sep 17, 2016 1:20PM PDT

I removed some bloatware from an ASUS ux305ca with "Decrap my computer". Later I noticed the touchpad functionality was reduced (I was no longer able to scroll using two fingers etc.) I uninstalled the ASUS touchpad driver, which immediately removed the mouse cursor and the touchpad went dead. I might also add that connecting a corded USB mouse does not work. The mouse is properly installed, but the mouse cursor remains hidden.

I don't think the touchpad is clinically dead, as it works very well when i boot the laptop in Linux.

I have tried to re-install Smart Gesture and the ATK package. I even did a clean reset of Windows 10, this brought the bloatware back, but the touchpad remains dead.

Technical stuff:
Windows ver. 10.0.10586 Build 10586
Processor: Intel Core m3-6Y30
Touchpad driver version: 8.0.0.23 (ASUS)

Any further help would be greatly appreciated!

Discussion is locked

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Answer
from the manufacturer
Sep 17, 2016 1:37PM PDT
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Yes
Sep 17, 2016 1:44PM PDT

The touchpad drivers came bundled in the Smart Gesture-file, which pre-requires the ATK-package. Both of which I downloaded from ASUS and re-installed. Thanks for the reply.

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Answer
I have some Asus x200e to play with here.
Sep 17, 2016 2:11PM PDT

I can't guess what drivers and apps are required but in short we need motherboard for the USB support then drivers for the pad and finally maybe some app to turn it all on/off plus add touchpad features. This is not automatic and varies with each PC. But when I do a clean install I find myself at the maker's site and installing this, that and most important take notes along the way so I can repeat or hand it off to the owner.

There is no exact install routine as I don't own your model.

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I blame "Decrap my computer".
Sep 17, 2016 2:40PM PDT

I'd rather do it manually.
Dafydd.

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Hindsight is 20/20
Sep 17, 2016 3:07PM PDT

I agree, my approach was a bit too fast and loose. But in my experience uninstalling and reinstalling drivers doesn't usually cause such terrible problems.

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Clean install
Sep 17, 2016 3:03PM PDT

I did a clean install of Windows 10, but after the installation, most of the drivers where already installed. Could you eloborate a bit more on your recommended course of action? I understand a detailed walkthrough is not possible as we have different systems.

During the install i got a prompt regarding whether I wanted to delete the TPM (trusted platform module) or not. I opted not to delete them, might this explain the driver issues persistence after the clean install?

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I'll disagree.
Sep 17, 2016 3:56PM PDT

Most of the drivers are installed but these are from Microsoft and usually not going to get your machine working. Back to the maker to see their drivers.

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Worth a try
Sep 17, 2016 4:24PM PDT

I have now downloaded and installed the following drivers: chipset, BIOS-update, ATK, pointing device, Intel Management Engine Interface, Intel® Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Drive, Intel(R) Serial IO I2C Driver from https://www.asus.com/uk/support/Download/3/747/0/3/KD3otnzuWXS4fp1g/45/

After a reboot, the touchpad is still dead. Thank you for the suggestions, keep them comming.

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My next move...
Sep 17, 2016 4:30PM PDT

would be to boot a Linux distro to check if it's hardware.
Dafydd.

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Great minds think alike
Sep 17, 2016 4:33PM PDT

As stated in the original post I have already done this, and the touchpad works very well in Linux.

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Sorry, I missed that.
Sep 17, 2016 4:41PM PDT

Dafydd.

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No worries
Sep 17, 2016 4:51PM PDT

I'm grateful for the feedback, leave no stone unturned Happy

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Dumb question here
Sep 17, 2016 4:55PM PDT

Did you go into the Startup menu and turn the touchpad on ?

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Might be relevant.
Sep 17, 2016 5:01PM PDT

My version build is Windows 10 Home (x64) Version 1607 (build 14393.187)
Dafydd.

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Might be
Sep 17, 2016 11:19PM PDT

When I enter updates and security and press "Look for updates" I am not able to download any further updates.

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Startup menu
Sep 17, 2016 11:04PM PDT

Where do I find the startup menu? I found the startup tab in task manager, and I can only see two apps: ASUSWSLoader and Microsoft One Drive. How might I add another app?

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Upon further inspection
Sep 17, 2016 11:44PM PDT

It seems ASUSWSLoader loads Smart Gesture at startup. All the "smart gestures" swiping with three fingers etc. are working, its only basic input, moving the cursor, clicking etc. that is not working.

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Answer
On my Asus....
Sep 17, 2016 5:06PM PDT

If I have the touchpad off I have to tap Fn+F9. You should find what it is on your model.

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Mine too
Sep 17, 2016 10:59PM PDT

Fn+F9 toggles the touchpad on and off, but nothing happens...

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There's an app behind that toggle.
Sep 17, 2016 11:46PM PDT

It's not a driver AFAIK, but which app is it?

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Not too sure
Sep 18, 2016 12:02AM PDT

The ATK package enables key combinations such as Fn+f9. Not sure how to determine which exact app does the toggeling. But when i press Fn+f9 it says "touchpad enabled" or "touchpad disabled" and "asus tpcfg" shows up for a short while among the processes in task manager.

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A mystery so far.
Sep 18, 2016 12:11AM PDT

I wonder if you have anything plugged into other USB ports?

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A USB flash drive
Sep 18, 2016 12:21AM PDT

With a bootable Linux. The USB ports seem to work fine, i even plugged in a couple of mice earlier, but it got me nowhere. It's very strange indeed.

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Answer
SOLVED!
Sep 18, 2016 3:28AM PDT

I was ready to admit defeat and did another clear reinstall of Windows to clear the PC of any personal data before returning it to its vendor. Lo and behold; after a second clean reinstall the touchpad actually works!

Now I'm back to removing that pesky bloatware...with triple backup and various religious relics at hand.

Thanks to everyone who contributed!