Synaptics Touchpad and X configuration on Gentoo

20 September 2008 - 8:47pm

Synaptics Touchpad and X configuration on Gentoo

I use two mice on my Gentoo box due to few good reasons. Trying to get them to work all the time took some time though I am not sure if that's because I am too stupid to make them work together.

Anyways, here's what worked for me:

~ # less /proc/bus/input/devices

Find the line that says "Handlers" below your Synaptics and the other mouse.
Now add these lines to your X config at /etc/X11/xorg.conf (I recommend taking a backup first):

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

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier     "Mouse01"
    Driver         "evdev"
    Option         "Protocol" "auto-dev"
    Option         "Device" "/dev/input/eventY"
    Option         "Emulate3Buttons" "yes"

EndSection

Replace X and Y with the event handlers of your Touchpad and other mouse respectively.

I believe this will work for most Linux distros.
Hope that helps.

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Hi Using two mouse is a good idea. i wish i could try the same keep up the good work umar Jessica

Submitted by Anonymous on 26 September 2008 - 9:49am.

Hi omar .. you are a very creative person to think this. using two togther touchpad and mouse could be a tricky thing why is it that we need to do this bit of programming . is the thing not plug and play like most things on the windows thse days ? but any ways if its what one wants this could be achieved in light of the given idea. Thanks john john@212articles.com www.handbagsguru.com

Submitted by Anonymous on 30 September 2008 - 12:30pm.

This isn't programming. It's configuration at the most basic level in Linux. Just wanted to note some things. NOTE: The events are normally call /dev/input/mouse0 and /dev/input/mouse1 NOTE: This is also an option if you don't use hal. But it's a LOT more dangerous as in like your mouse will not work when you start up. If that happened, you may exit X (if your using it) and use a console based text editor to change it.

Submitted by Anonymous on 26 June 2009 - 5:03am.

This article article thanks for sharing with us. ________________________________________________

Submitted by Anonymous on 26 June 2009 - 5:24pm.

I've tried to do this but it doesn't work :( Maybe i've made a mistake somewhere, don't know. I can't make them work together, when the mouse is connected the touchpad becomes inactive automaticly. Give me an advice please. Thanks. aupart@mail.com http://aupart.com

Submitted by Anonymous on 8 July 2009 - 4:11pm.

Great job Omer ! this is a nice to share your experience with us . i really appreciate your work its stunning . it will encourage many people to do some ting different just like you....................

Submitted by Anonymous on 20 August 2009 - 9:34am.

i tried it and its working. i thought to do it once but never worked for it coz i was thinking to spend that time somewhere else :) anyways thanks for sharing Regards Sussana

Submitted by Anonymous on 21 August 2009 - 10:06am.

Wow. Very nice article! It helped me very much. Thanks for it. www.google.com

Submitted by Anonymous on 2 December 2009 - 8:33pm.

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