Comment 0 for bug 278579

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

This report is specific to Intrepid Beta amd64 desktop.

Personal history of touchpad usage in Ubuntu (or any other distribution):

The default settings of the touchpad have never been satisfactory. The biggest problem has been random cursor movement while typing. Additionally the tap, speed, and other settings were never satisfactory "out of the box."

To solve this, I have resorted to using two methods. One, to create a custom entry in xorg.conf for reasonable settings, when an external mouse is not available. This is not preferable, because there is still unwanted cursor movement. Two, to use an external mouse with custom udev rule to turn touchpad off when the external mouse is attached.

Intrepid and forward:

The default methodology (probably beginning with Hardy) has been to let X detect and configure the touchpad.

Currently, this touchpad does not trigger the Touchpad tab in Gnome Mouse Properties (see Bug #267611). Although once that bug is fixed, some configuration options may be available to the user, it is desired that the touchpad be configured better for the Dell Inspiron 1420 automatically.

In this spirit, the following attachment as described in https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingTouchpadDetection are included in this report.

Any further questions will be promptly answered.

Thanks,

Harvey