trackpad not recognised by kernel

[Mike Hall]

This is a new laptop with reference TongFang GI5CN5E
The UK supplier is unable to give me any further details about the trackpad, but they agree that there is a problem with the Linux kernel.
There is no response from the trackpad. An external mouse works fine.

Further details: Linux Mint 19 (Ubuntu 18.04 - bionic)
 ubuntu-bug linux command did not work:
*** Problem in linux-image-4.15.0-29-generic
The problem cannot be reported:
This is not an official Linux package. Please remove any third party package and try again.

I attempted to attach various diagnostic files as per the instructions for reporting this bug but as this system is not confirming what has been attached I also attached (I hope) a file with all 4 reports. Sorry if this is noise...
---
ProblemType: Bug
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: mike 2775 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: X-Cinnamon
DistroRelease: Linux Mint 19
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=8d3430b5-51a5-4052-877b-d840f6ea53d7
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-07-01 (19 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Linux Mint 19 "Tara" - Release amd64 20180626
MachineType: PC Specialist LTD Vyper
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-4.15.0-29-generic root=/dev/mapper/mint--vg-root ro quiet splash vt.handoff=1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-29.31-generic 4.15.18
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.15.0-29-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.15.0-29-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.173.1
Tags: tara
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-29-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 04/09/2018
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: N.1.01
dmi.board.asset.tag: Standard
dmi.board.name: GI5CN5E
dmi.board.vendor: Tong Fang
dmi.board.version: Standard
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Standard
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Standard
dmi.chassis.version: Standard
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrN.1.01:bd04/09/2018:svnPCSpecialistLTD:pnVyper:pvrStandard:rvnTongFang:rnGI5CN5E:rvrStandard:cvnStandard:ct10:cvrStandard:
dmi.product.family: CFL
dmi.product.name: Vyper
dmi.product.version: Standard
dmi.sys.vendor: PC Specialist LTD

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel) please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1782888

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport information

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

apport-collect 1782888 seems to have worked... changed status to confirmed

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

The supplier has informed me that the touchpad uses the Intel Serial IO driver

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.18 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18-rc6

[Mike Hall (mike+op+h)]

Thanks Joseph.

I have tried to do as you suggest, but hit a problem installing
4.18.0-041800rc6. Two of the downloads install, but the third fails and
my Linux skills are insufficient to work out what to do next. If you are
able to make a suggestion I'm happy to have another go.

If so, here is what I know:

The first thing to check is that the packages I attempted to install
were the correct ones:
linux-headers-4.18.0-041800rc6_4.18.0-041800rc6.201807221830_all.deb
linux-headers-4.18.0-041800rc6-generic_4.18.0-041800rc6.201807221830_amd64.deb
linux-modules-4.18.0-041800rc6-generic_4.18.0-041800rc6.201807221830_amd64.deb

One of the headers failed to install, with an error message implicating
Nvidia, see make.log from /var/dkms/nvidia/390.48/build/ attached.

A summary of the /boot folder is attached (grub18.txt) showing what has
installed. You can also see that the kernels currently being provided by
Linux Mint (LM) are a good deal earlier eg 4.15.0-29.

Also of relevance might be two sections of the Mint 19 release notes,
about trackpads and about freezes on booting due, in the case of this
box, to the Nvidia graphics card:
https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_tara_cinnamon.php

Once the first LM installation is done, when LM release new kernels the
Nvidia issue does not occur.

This is a live system used eg to maintain my PERL server-side website
applications, so I need to take some care.

What should I try next?

Mike

On 24/07/18 19:17, Joseph Salisbury wrote:
> Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer
> to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest
> v4.18 kernel[0].
>
> If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following
> tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.
>
> If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag:
> 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.
>
> Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as
> "Confirmed".
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> [0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.18-rc6
>
>
>
> ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
> Importance: Undecided => Medium
>
> ** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
> Status: Confirmed => Incomplete
>

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]