GSynaptics couldn't initialize.

[Durmant]

Binary package hint: gsynaptics

version: 0.9.7-3
Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty

when trying to launch GSynaptics I get an error:

GSynaptics couldn't initialize.
You have to set 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics

I have already add that option to xorg.conf under the touchpad section.

[Seiti Yamashiro (seiti-yamashiro)]

Silly question, but: where is the xorg.conf file? I had to remove it from /etc/X11/ after last update to make X start and run. So where do I set SHMConfig to true?

[Jesse Burt (avsa242)]

Durmant,

If you are still having this problem would you please attach your xorg.conf and Xorg.0.log?

Seiti,

xorg.conf should exist in /etc/X11
Search for a section that looks like this (or add it if it doesn't exist):

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
        Driver "synaptics"
        Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
        Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
        Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
        Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
        Option "SHMConfig" "true" # <-- and add this line to it
EndSection

[dfalk (dfalk)]

This issue is occurring in gutsy as well. I am attaching my Xorg.0.log

[dfalk (dfalk)]

Attaching my xorg.conf

[reh4c (gene-hoffler)]

Still occurs in Hardy Alpha 6 with this error message: "GSynaptics couldn't initialize.
You have to set 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics."
Screenshot attached.

[Michael Losonsky (michl)]

Confirm that this occurred in Gutsy and still occurs in Alpha 6.
Also, there is a discrepancy between the gsynaptics error message,
which asks if SHMConfig is set to "true" while the help.ubuntu.com
directions on synaptics prescribes that it be set to "on". Either
way gsynaptics cannot initialize.

I am wondering if it is just a gsynaptics issue because syndaemon
also does not recognize that SHMConfig is enabled.

[homeriq5 (naim-unc-deactivatedaccount)]

confirm that this still doesnt work in the hardy beta. Same error message was recieved. Have been trying to enable vertical scrolling since Gutsy but no luck.

[Andreas Schildbach (schildbach)]

I'm also bitten by this bug. Is there any workaround?

[Herbert Post (roberine)]

Confirm that this still doesn't work in the Hardy final.
As this is bugging everybody over a year I think that it's time to get this fixed.
After all it's just a line of code that needs to be added to xorg.conf

[Michael Losonsky (michl)]

Something has changed in the LTS Hardy. Sometimes I get thenott old message:
GSynaptics couldn't initialize.
You have to set 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics

Other times I get a warning that synclient is being used and I get a window with
three tabs. The first is General and it has a box to click enable touchpad, but
this has unpredictable consequences. Sometimes unchecking enable touchpad
does disable the touchpad, but I can't open anything, terminal, applications,
firefox, nothing. I plug my mouse in, and with it things work. Othertimes the
touchpad is not disabled even though it should be disabled.

I've given up on gsynaptics.

[Steve10 (sct10)]

Michael,

Did you add the "SHMConfig true" command to the xorg.conf file? I did after
getting the error message and this allowed me to open the synaptics touchpad
app under Preferences where I could then adjust the settings. I have to turn
"tapping" off as it drives me nuts selecting things I don't want selected.
This worked fine for me after the change made to xorg.conf.

-Steve

---------------------
Steve Tenbrink
4688 Ridgeway Dr.
Los Alamos, NM 87544
---------------------

---------- Original Message -----------
From: Michael Losonsky <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Mon, 05 May 2008 03:28:58 -0000
Subject: [Bug 132627] Re: GSynaptics couldn't initialize.

> Something has changed in the LTS Hardy. Sometimes I get thenott
> old message: GSynaptics couldn't initialize. You have to set
> 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics
>
> Other times I get a warning that synclient is being used and I get a
> window with three tabs. The first is General and it has a box to
> click enable touchpad, but this has unpredictable consequences.
> Sometimes unchecking enable touchpad does disable the touchpad, but
> I can't open anything, terminal, applications, firefox, nothing. I
> plug my mouse in, and with it things work. Othertimes the touchpad
> is not disabled even though it should be disabled.
>
> I've given up on gsynaptics.
>
> --
> GSynaptics couldn't initialize.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/132627
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct
> subscriber of a duplicate bug.
------- End of Original Message -------

[Lukáš Zapletal (lzap)]

But what to do if I do not have this "touchpad" section in my xorg.conf? I have installed my Ubuntu while no touchad was connected so it was generated without it!

[Lukáš Zapletal (lzap)]

I have added the section with no luck. I got the message even when I logout my session.

[Madhu (madhuchalla-engg)]

 I am also facing the same problem. After proper installation of GSynaptics i am getting the error
GSynaptics couldn't initialize.
You have to set 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics

[McB (makkbe)]

Bug still present in Intrepid Ibex Beta. After installation of GSynaptics and setting "SHMConfig" "true" in /etc/X11/xorg.conf, same error message as above is still displayed.

[Michal Čihař (nijel)]

Are you sure that SHMConfig setting is being applied? In recent Xservers using just section "InputDevice" is not enough, you have to link it from ServerLayout. Something like this (taken from gsynaptics README.Debian):

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
    Driver "synaptics"
    Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/touchpad"
    Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
    Option "SHMConfig" "on"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "Default Server Layout"
    Screen "Default Screen"
    InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" "Core Keyboard"
    InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad" "Core Pointer"
EndSection

[Bazon (bazonbloch)]

additionally:
The alert in intrepid still refers to xorg.conf which isn't used anymore. So before this bug is fixed, it would be useful if the alert refers to the hal configuration and not the xorg.conf file.

[Katerine (katerine-m)]

For those still having the problem: try something:

In Terminal, type "synclient TouchPadOff=1"

If you're told, "Can't access shared memory area. SHMConfig disabled?", then I just got through the same problem (on my EEE 1000H running Ubuntu 8.04 hardy). I located a way to get it working:

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-942400.html

HTH. :)

[Endolith (endolith)]

Confirmed that adding SHMConfig back into xorg.conf does not fix the problem, despite the dialog box.

[Endolith (endolith)]

Adding "options psmouse elantech=1" to /etc/modprobe.d/options doesn't work, either. Mouse is unresponsive and Touchpad settings still won't open.

[Endolith (endolith)]

Got it working following these instructions: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticsTouchpad#shmconfig

This should be made automatic.

[Laurent GUERBY (laurent-guerby)]

Same issue for me when I upgraded my netbook to intrepid but following the instructions in the link by Endolith did not work for me.

[Endolith (endolith)]

Mine is a Dell Inspiron 8600. Gsynaptics stopped working after upgrading to Intrepid, and works again since following the shmconfig.fdi instructions.

[kronictokr (pstone78)]

if you used another computer to install your os on an external hard drive, or changed any physical components of your computer, and you are having a hard time with your SMHconfig, or touch pad.
use this command in terminal, it worked great for me

sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

and heres my xorg.conf file for comparison

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
 Driver "kbd"
 Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
 Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
 Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Configured Mouse"
 Driver "mouse"
 Option "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
 Driver "synaptics"
 Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
 Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
 Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
 Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Default Screen"
 Monitor "Configured Monitor"
 Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
 Identifier "Default Layout"
 Screen "Default Screen"
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

Thanks Endolith, I was having the same issue In Intrepid on my Dell XPS 1730. Worked like a charm adding: /etc/hal/fdi/policy/shmconfig.fdi

[Mr.UNOwen (jerry-comp)]

I have the same problem on my eee pc 1000ha, but that didn't work. So far none of the solutions worked

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

Mr. UNOwen,

Tomorrow I will get my hands on a Triple E 1000h. I will report back to you what I am able to find. On three separate dell devices, I have followed: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticsTouchpad#shmconfig This corrected it on all three. Unfortunately the EEE 1000h is not mine, so I hope he lets me try to narrow down what else could be preventing this from working on it.

[Mr.UNOwen (jerry-comp)]

Thanks a lot!

Also while you still have your hands on a 1000h can you check out the bug below...
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/314190

Also FYI, I have the ha model and not the h model... don't know if it'll impact anything, but I'm just letting you know...

Also if you have the time, some of the fn keys don't work.

Thanks a whole lot. I really appreciate the help!

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

Mr. UNOwen,

I see that someone has already marked this as confirmed, I second the motion. On the EEE 701 I was able to fix it the way that I suggested to you, But on a 1000 eee I could not get it to work. I couldn't get it to work on a eee 900 either.
I will look into the other bug that you have posted as well. I no longer have a 1000 eee in my possession, but I can check on the 900 and see if it suffers too.

[Mr.UNOwen (jerry-comp)]

So will this bug be fixed....

Thanks

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

Well with a confirmed status it is definitely going to be addressed! :-)

[Mr.UNOwen (jerry-comp)]

SOME ONE, FIX THIS BUG!!!!! This mouse pad is evil!!!!!!!! Fix the bug so I can disable the evil double tap feature!!!!!!! IT"S EEEEEVVVVIILLLLLLLLL EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[YannUbuntu (yannubuntu)]

Hi all, I have this bug too on a Japanese computer: NEC LL550/H .
I also had the "mad touchpad" bug (move and clicks alone) which can be solved by adding "i8042.nomux=1" in the /boot/grub/menul.lst

Regards

[Claudio Moretti (flyingstar16)]

Fixed in Jaunty adding
Option "SHMConfig" "true"
as the last line of Section "InputDevice"
############################
Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
    Driver "synaptics"
    Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
    Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
    Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
    Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
    Option "SHMConfig" "true"
EndSection
############################

Moving Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Configured Mouse", i.e. my USB mouse, after Synaptics Touchpad

And finally adding InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad" in Section "ServerLayout"

############################
Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "Default Layout"
    Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
    InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
    InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
    InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

[xiaoyong (yuexiaoyong)]

It works in Jaunty. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticsTouchpad#shmconfig

[rick hatton (rhatton-excite)]

It doesn't work in Netbook Remix Hardy, on a Sylvania Meso G.

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

rick,

Please attache the out put of the following comands:

cd /var/lib/acpi-support/; grep '.' *-* > ~/laptop
uname -a > ~/uname-a
cat /proc/version_signature > ~/version_signature
sudo lspci -vvnn > ~/lspci-vvnn

Thanks for your time,

Chris

[Dimitrios Symeonidis (azimout)]

Also no problems in Karmic...

[Dimitrios Symeonidis (azimout)]

No answer received, closing as Fix Released

[oren (orengolan)]

machine: xubuntu 9.10, Dell Inspiron 11z
My touchpad works, but I try to delay or disable tap while I type.

I had no entry for touch in xorg. I added 2 sections and included the SHMConfig line and also added /etc/hal/fdi/policy/shmconfig.fdi but it didn't help - GSynaptics, touchfreeze and syndaemon don't work.

here is my xorg.conf:

Section "Device"
        Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Default Screen"
        Monitor "Configured Monitor"
        Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
        Driver "synaptics"
        Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
        Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
        Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
        Option "HorizScrollDelta" "0"
        Option "SHMConfig" "true"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier "Layout0"
        InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad" "Core Pointer"
        Screen "Default Screen"
EndSection

[oren (orengolan)]

I still have this issue on 10.4
Dell Inspiron 11z (Elantech touch pad)

[AdamOutler (adamoutler)]

I'm having this issue on a new gateway on ubuntu 10.04

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

Gsynaptics were specifically for synaptics based touchpads, IIRC. Can you please try and install gpointing-device-settings with your universe repositories enabled.

gpointing-device-settings | 1.3.1-2 | karmic/universe | source, amd64, i386
gpointing-device-settings | 1.3.2-2 | lucid/universe | source, amd64, i386
gpointing-device-settings | 1.5.1-2 | maverick/universe | source, amd64, i386

This seems to be the replacement for the gsynaptics according to: http://gsynaptics.sourceforge.jp/#Announce.

Thanks for your time,

Chris C.

[Chris Crisafulli (itnet7)]

I have just installed this on 3 separate devices, and all 3 were successful and working, One Alps touchpad, and 2 SynPS/2 Synaptic Touchpads.

[JohnD (jdicesare)]

Get the following error... "set 'SHMConfig' 'true' in xorg.conf or XF86Config to use GSynaptics" when opening Touchpad. How do I apply this fix? I have no idea; only know how to install deb packages and do not know how to use terminal.
My e-mail is: <email address hidden>