Multitouch On FX Synaptic Trackpad Possible

Very few people know that every Synaptics trackpad supports multitouch and as long as your OS supports it you can always use multitouch to enhance your computers interface. Apple has patented several UI design elements ,hence has inhibited Windows and Linux to come out with similar UI elements like pinch and zoom, scroll etc.

Source: here and here.

 

i can suppose that it is possible, i was looking forward that to search for multitouch but mu touch-pad is not working. i guess i have to open my laptop and see what inside :S

 

I tried for a very long time to figure this out... and after some VERY extensive research came to the conclusion that only certain firmware versions of the Synaptics touchpad used in the Gateway FX's would actually allow this without a re-writing of the firmware (which I don't believe, from any information I've been able to find anywhere, is possible by an end-user with reasonable means).

I actually went to the point of trying to find a parts-replacement for the touchpad on my P-7805u that had a firmware version I knew would accept it... but every one I found being sold for 'parts', the seller couldn't verify the firmware version becuse it wasn't attached to a system. So unfortunately, that has somewhat stone-walled my attempts.

Can you tell I was interested in this? =) (Yes, I'm a sucker primarily for the two-finger scrolling ability... much prefer it to the 'edge' scrolling).

 

Yes. Some synaptic touch pads only support a few of the multi touch functions. The FX touch pad supports all the multi touch features.

 

So I can use multi touch when I install Windows 7?

 

Hey Warlord, if you could confirm, which driver package did you utilize to enable the multi-touch? Also, which version of the Synaptics firmware does your particular touchpad use? (Trying to see if it either confirms or disproves my findings)

 

touchpad_synaptics_v10.2.4_vistax32x64_xpx32x64_modded_build2

firmware v6.2

 

how can we know our firmware version.

my touchpad is broken don;t know why and I'm planing to get a replacement.

maybe firmware can fix it. who knows.

 

Warlord:
Hmmm... Well, there seems to be a definite difference between the firmware versions. You have 6.2, I have 6.3.... and I just confirmed by doing a completely clean Vista x64 install, and installed the drivers you linked (first thing), and still am in the same boat. I get momentum, and a few other features... but no multitouch, etc. Can you check out what your 'Capabilities' flags are?

Lum-X:
Easiest way to tell the firmware version is to look at the Mouse properties (in your Control Panel), and click on the Device Settings tab. It'll show right there under the device description... but you can also see that (and ALOT more diagnostic / detailed info) by pressing Alt-Shift-I on that same tab . That's where you'll find the firmware version specifically shown, but also the 'Capabilities' flags I mentioned to Warlord, above. BTW, if you do have to physically swap your touchpad, let me know where you find a source for the part!

 

Sure, where should I be looking for this info?

If you mean in the device manager this is what I have under 'capabilities'

PHP:

00000020
CM_DEVCAP_SILENTINSTALL



 

Look at the Mouse properties (in your Control Panel), and click on the Device Settings tab. You can see ALOT more diagnostic / detailed info by pressing Alt-Shift-I on that same tab . That's where you'll find the firmware version specifically shown, but also the 'Capabilities' flags

 

Thank you for sharing these, I love it.

BTW, sad but true, it's not work on my beloved 7805uFX, so sad. I tried the driver, but the only function worked is slipped mouse. May be I should wait for a new one.

 

Hmmm.... Maybe now is a good time to start collecting data, and seeing if we can't remedy this situation, find a work-around, or at least come to a conslusive deciding factor?

I'm fairly certain that it boils down to something in the actual firmware itself, regarding the 'capabilities' flags... trying to find a pattern.

TnG2903: think you could do the same thing I asked WarlordOne to do? Find your Firmware version, and Capabilities flag?

 

Yeah...no. Alt Shift A does nothing...

 

I've done what you wrote up there, but as I pres ALT + Shift + A, nothing happens. BTW, in mouse properties, it says Synaptics Touchpad V6.3. ^^

 

Ugh -- Completely my bad there. It is actually ALT-SHIFT-I (not Alt-shift-A). Will edit the posts above for consistency / accuracy.

 

I have firmware 6.2. No Multitouch gestures.

Edit: That's not a complaint btw. I'm contributing to the data

 

With the corrected instructions I was able to find my capabilities flag # 220013 which gives me the additional:

- 2 fingers (8 directions)
- 3 fingers (up & down)
- Momentum
- Chiral Motion Scrolling

I don't know if it makes a difference but I upgrade from this Dell driver I was using which auto disables the touch pad when the mouse is connected. Yeah, I was using Dell drivers on my Gateway...I don't think it makes any difference but I did it, so I'll post it.

 

Here is mine:

Firmware Version: 6.3
Capabilities: 220023

But I don't know how to find some additional information like WarlordOne do. And I'm currently using driver 14.0.0.3 from Gateway (I think it's latest).

^^, this touch pad really have ability to disable when mouse is connect, it's right there in the device setting. ^^, but I like to use dual mouse, it's fun

 

Ok - just realized I haven't posted >MY< info for data-gathering's sake, in case anyone else is following the effort. Mine is:

FW Vers: 6.3
Capabilities: 220023

So far, at least, TnG and I seem to be in the same boat, perpetuating an initial trend at least (albeit with very limited data so far).

@Danja -- did you happen to get the Capabilities info from the preferences on yours?

 

Sorry; I couldn't find it the first time. It's 220003.

 

Hey Danja -- did you ever try the linkes Warlord posted earlier?

If no, I'm curious if those might enable the multi-touch for you.

 

I tried to install it but it told me I was already using a more up-to-date driver so I didn't go through with it. I'll try again later tonight and see if it works.

 

Ok, I installed the old driver and it gave me options for multitouch and chiral scrolling (which only works in some windows for some reason; I wish it worked in Mozilla because I really like it... the chiral icon comes on but rotating in either direction doesn't actually make it scroll). Anyway, the multitouch capabilities seem very limited. I can do both 3 and 2 finger scrolling, but the "configure" button is greyed out for all options except "record and play a sequence of key strokes", "run a program of your choosing", and "go to a web page in your default browser". Overall pretty cool, but could be more powerful with the other commands enabled.

Capabilities 220013

 

I have capabilities 220023 and firmware version 6.3. i wonder if there is a way to "flash" the touchpad.

 

Well, that certainly seems that the capabilities flag is the key.. and it appears to be the 2nd digit from the right.

@shinji - I've been wondering the exact same thing... I've actually got another dead laptop floating around here I suspect as a synaptics pad in it... I may poke around and see if I can find any JTAG or other ICP / ICD connections on the thing to determine if it would be semi-possible...

The other thing I've been wondering is if a source could be found for a reasonably priced touchpad replacement (even just the PCB / electronics.. the element itself would be no different)... >I< for one would pay a little bit to add Multi-touch to my FX.....

 

I'm on a Dell XPS M1330 and I also have a Synaptics pad v6.3 with 220023 capabilities. I've tried both the modded drivers and a few different versions of the standard drivers and no multitouch. Even the Google Code 2-finger-scroll hack doesn't work for me because it tells me that "multitouch is not possible on my hardware".

Has anyone found any answer for getting multitouch on the 220023 touchpads?