X-220 Trackpad is a disaster!

Is it just me, or is this the worst, most unresponsive trackpad since, well, the HP clickpads of a few years ago. It will do a one finger scroll about 1/3 of the time, a two finger scroll about 2/3 of the time, a random flying cursor and resultant self-click on a new link often. In short, it's completely unliveable! Since I haven't seen so many vehement reports about the trackpad - sure, some griping, but if everyone experienced what I am experienced (I just unboxed my new one last night) there would so much more noise than I am finding here.

If anyone could help by suggesting where to put important settings and which ones to disable, I would be grateful. I've never been a fan of the pointing stick, so unless you think this trackpad is utterly hopeless, I would appreciate any suggestions for settings that would enable me to do simple navigating and clicking, one finger scrolls - two is less preferable (from habit) but if you know how to get any scrolling method working reliable, I'd be grateful.

Of all the reasons to RMA this computer, the last one I anticipated, what with all the other more serious issues, was this terrible trackpad.

Any insights/assistance with settings much appreciated.

 

There have been a few threads recently with tips on how to improve it.

 

Mouse Properties, UltraNav Tab, Touchpad -> Settings.

There are tons of settings there you can play with. Too many to go into detail here.
If I were you I'd start with Pointing, Touch Sensitivity. Default is Light Touch. Maybe you should up yours to be a little less sensitive.

 

I can't really help with the trackpad. I thought it was OK, but I didn't really use it much. I would say perhaps if you dedicated yourself to learning the stick, you'd find yourself liking it. I too was similar to you before I got my X200. I didn't really care for the stick much, but once I got the X200, I really had no choice. It took me a few months before I got comfortable, but now I don't think I'd go back.

 

I'm not a fan of the trackpad on this thing either. I've read others say that installing the Synaptics driver (from the mfg rather than from Lenovo) makes a marked improvement.

Otherwise, I have to say, as someone who always hated the "eraser tip" pointer thingy, I actually really like the one on this comp. It's so much nicer to just leave your hands on the homerow. It's so ergonomic and efficient! Not really taking all that long to get used to it either.

 

Disable all of the Smart Check settings. Then install the third-party TwoFingerScroll as found on Google Code.

 

The suggestion of getting the Synaptics drivers from its own site was a brilliant one! Can't yet claim complete success, but so much improvement and so many more useful adjustments than what came standard on the X220.

I can't say I have the hang of the trackpoint yet. I know so many swear by it and they can't be wrong. Even playing with adjustments, all I can seem to do with it is point and sometimes push down on it to primary click. I'm going to search for a tutorial. Feel pretty foolish about this, but I must have a mental block.

Any suggestions for learning the stick. I'm just planning on googling for a tutorial. Any other ideas? I know you are an old pro with these, Zaz, so I really value your advice.

Can't seem to find them. Pointers?

Thanks all. I can't be the only one having these problems! I've been using notebooks with touchpads/clickpads/pointing sticks (HP variety) for years. All of the sudden I have to re-learn everything I thought I knew.

Once again, Kudos to dbrowdy; the Synaptics drivers from their site, 15.2.0, made the touch pad behave, well, like a touchpad!

 

Just dive right in. That's what I did. I don't know that one needs a tutorial, but it's more a matter of just getting used to it. I had a tendency to overshoot my target when I first started using it. I would suggest playing around with the mouse settings like the speed and the pressure sensitivity. It's too fast for me on the default setting. I like soft rim cap as it takes less force to move the pointer.

Now that I've converted, I wouldn't consider going back. For a smaller resolution screen, it's very good because it's very easy to scroll on with the center button, which somewhat mitigates the loss in resolution. For a higher resolution screen, it's nice because you it's difficult to move from one side of the screen to the other with having to make two swipes on the trackpad.

 

Turning off the acceleration helps make the pointer more predictable when using the stick.

I've never gotten the tap-to-click to work well, but I don't prefer that mode of input, anyway.

Downloads - two-finger-scroll - Two finger gestures for Synaptics TouchPads on Windows - Google Project Hosting
This makes two-finger scrolling perfect.

 

They just figured that with everyone pinching and zooming, well until the lawsuits are settled anyway, that people wouldn't need buttons

But do you know what? As you probably found out: physical buttons require less work and thought.

Marketing people should not design computers.

I fear that they have ruined the x121e by doing the same thing.

 

i find that you can increase your trackpoint usage dexterity, if you play some shoot em up and RTS games with it, or attempt to use it draw some complex object in MS paint. Just maybe 30 minutes a day, after a week you would be a semi-pro at it.

 

Thank you one and all. I have to say that the single most helpful suggestion was to get the Synaptics drivers from the Synaptics site. All the difference in the world for all touchpad actions. As for the trackpoint, here's my problem: I have no trouble using it to point, and I've pretty well got the push-to-click action down, but so much of the time I'm scrolling; am I brain dead, or is there no way to scroll with the trackpoint?

Thanks again. Try those Synaptics drivers. I avoid "Scrybe" completely, but for all the other touchpad functions, these work far better than the Lenovo OEM version:

Download License Agreement | Synaptics

 

I agree. The trackpoint just trumps any touchpad once you get some skill. I even love it for playing some simple games (like Settlers 2). TBH, trackpad just wastes space on X220.

 

IMO, the TrackPoint's middle button works great for switching suit modes in Crysis 1.

 

Wow, just wanted to say that the twofingerscroll thing is legit.

 

though I should repost my tips:

PS: recently i switched to twofingerscroll and i have been using that instead of chiral. either one is fine!

 

For the last couple years I've carried a pocket bluetooth laser mouse that works on just about anything, as I detest all forms of trackpads, pointer nubs and trackballs unless there is no other option. (yes, even the "magical" apple ones that are the same old trashy response and accuracy as all the rest)

Thankfully unless I'm free standing or using it real quick to just load a simple webpage, there is usually a decent surface to use.

 

Am I just lame, or is the trackpoint only useful to point to something already on the page you are viewing and doing a single click anywhere on that page, but that if you need to scroll up or down or change paqes,you have to use the trackpad for any of that kind of navigation? You say tutorials are not needed, but perhaps you overestimate my intelligence, or at least knowledge level.

Just reprinted the similar comment to say, once agaqin: What Can I Do With The Pointer Other Than, well, POINT! It's fine, as far as it goes, but that it not nearly enough navigation for me.

Could this be some kind of left brain/right brain issue? HELP.

Oh, and, for what it's worth, I don't find nearly enough to really like about this computer to make it worth putting up with the terrible trackpad. It's actually performing considerably slower than my Sony Z and, while that does have RAID0 SSDs and this just has one spinning drive for now, nothing about this computer feels "deluxe" at all. I mean, it's fine. I think you can get the same work done (not more, not less) as on my Sony Z13, but using this feels like a Toyota and using the Z feels like a jaguar or something like that.

Well, it's really about the trackpad/navigation. Were that a cinch, I would be far more focused on what makes this computer special.

 

If you want to scroll, just press the center button and push the stick whichever direction you wish to go.

 

I personally like to start pushing the stick in the direction I want to scroll before holding down the middle button. Granted, the temporal gap is in the milliseconds. Just personal habit.

As for the platter drive slowness, try the UltimateDefrag demo, choose Auto, click Options, drag the slider to the right (Optimum), choose To inner tracks, check all four checkboxes, hit OK, Start the defrag. See if this makes it any snappier.

Also, http://xkcd.com/915/

 

I dunno man, I don't use the pointer for anything other than moving around and scrolling (using the middle button, as ZaZ pointed out). I don't even use it to click, as that sounds annoying to do.

No, when I have my hands on the home row keys, my two thumbs naturally sit right on top of the two mouse buttons. They're even nicely curved right where my thumbs hit to make the motion of pressing them more comfortable. It's extremely well designed and much easier to use (and I'm someone who has used a trackpad forever).

What else do you need it to do? All the fancy crap they put into trackpads these days is why the performance is terrible. I don't need it to do any "magic", I just want it to mimic a mouse. *shrug*

 

EDIT: I'm back to square one again!!!! I can't get the trackpoint to do a scroll while holding down the middle button. All it does is point, and when the pointer gets to the top or bottom of the page, it just stops. I am really frustrated, as I have googled this subject like crazy and checked my drivers and settings but I can't make the trackpoint act as a scrolling device and I can't make the middle button do, well anything!

This must be really obvious and that's why it's proving so difficult. I am not exactly a computer noob - but I may as well be with this issue. Oh, and, it really wouldn't matter, but this computer has one of the worst touchpads I've encountered in quite some time. It truly gives HP a run for its money in the early Envy days. I'm amazed that Lenovo would take something they are so well known for doing better than anyone else and mess it up.

If I can just get the darned eraser and middle button to work for scrolling, I'll be fine! Thanks.

 

Installing general Synaptics drivers disables the trackpoint system settings. It turns the trackpoint into a simple mouse system, so you can't use the middle button as a scroll toggle. Use the actual Lenovo drivers instead.

 

Yes, I did finally get that figured out, uninstalled everything, then reinstalled the mouse drivers for the X220. Voila! I can now scroll using the middle mouse button and the trackpoint. I'm on my way.

Darn, and I thought it was going to be easy to vote in favor of the Sony Z13 and against this. Now I have to put it back in the running and, ya know, it's a pretty nice computer after all.

Thanks again. I don't guess I'll need any more help with this issue.

EDIT: Used the X220 all day yesterday. Trackpad problem is a thing of the past (not that it isn't still pretty lame, but now I am less so and have learned how to use the trackpoint and scroll approach with ease) and I have none of the other issues that some have reported regarding build quality or hardware defects. This said, I just went back to my Z13 and I feel like I had been driving a truck all day yesterday and now I'm back into my sleek roadster. The Thinkpad is a sturdy, generally well built machine and the clear choice (of these two) if durability is critical. But the Z13, which is a more expensive machine, even as a refurb,and uses last gen. technology, is nonetheless such a lovely, "luxurious" notebook with more than enough chops in last year's technology to make it hard to choose against when the X220 is the alternate.

So, the X220 is going back to Lenovo - unless anyone wants to buy mine at cost: $950+tax for a loaded i5-2520 model (no SSD) with Lenovo's 3 yr, full ADH/onsite wtty. That's the equiv. of $675 for the computer with the std wtty.

Now, as soon as my Z13 breaks on me and is almost surely unrepairable at a feasible cost, I will collect the money from my Square Trade warranty and head right for a Think..., a Th... - hell, I'll be on eBay looking for a decent deal on a used Sony Z! It's not that there's anything wrong the X220; it's just me and, I guess, what I have become accustomed to. Even if durability was equivalent, I find it hard to imagine anyone realistically considering either/or between these two machines; they're as different as night and day, though their approximate form factor and weight are close. The feel of the Thinkpad is so much different than any other lappy I have worked on - including HP Elitebooks and Dell Precisions - and I find it just a little too "clunky" and plastic-y even if it is solid metal beneath the skin.

Sorry I just turned my own thread into yet another one of those "X-220 vs. Sony Z" upchucks. Thanks again for all the help with the trackpoint and enjoy your very fine Thinkpads. They're just not for me, not for now.

 

I wanted to get the Z13 back when the MS Store had it for cheap, but help off. I don't regret it so far - I've heard far more horror stories, after all, about Sony than Lenovo - but really wish Lenovo had figured out some more the kinks on this machine before releasing it. The lights on my fingerprint reader no longer work, and the 50Hz problem, of course, has no fix except for disabling the Intel Graphics process, which is a convenience I would rather *not* do without.

 

UPDATE: Well, I finally got used to the trackpoint/middle mouse for scrolling and used the X220 exclusively yesterday. It is a nicely designed, well equipped ultraportable for an unbelievably low price but, getting back on my Z13 today, I feel like I was driving a truck yesterday (but a good truck!) yesterday and I'm back in my roadster zipping around the contours of my keyboard at 50% greater speed than on the "legendary" TP keyboard, with the same accuracy, and I guess for now I prefer to tool around in my "sports car."

Still, when the Z breaks, and it will likely be unrepairable vs. a Square Trade refund of my purchase price, I'll take the insurance proceeds and head straight for a Think...., er, a Th.... - hell, who am I kidding, I'll head straight to eBay for a decent deal on a replacement Z!

So with some mixed feelings, but no regrets, my X220 goes back to Lenovo unless someone wants my rather exceptional deal at cost ($950 pre-tax for a fully equipped i5-2520 - no SSD - WITH a 3 yr ADH/onsite Thinkpad wtty, so, about $675 with the std wtty).

Thanks again for all the help. Enjoy your fine computers and feel lucky that you can be happy with a powerful, feature rich ultraportable for the price of a "budget" laptop only 6 months ago.

 

I just found this thread. I posted something in the main owners' thread, but I'm going to post here too since it's more relevant:

The trackpad on this laptop is HORRIBLE. Resting your thumb on the edge causes many problems. I've tried fiddling with virtually every setting between the Lenovo UltraNav driver and the Synaptics one, and I still have nothing but problems. To those who say I should just use the trackpoint, that's still no excuse for how lame this trackpad is. With the Synaptics driver, the cursor's incredibly jumpy and unresponsive. With the UltraNav driver, it's unpredictable. Right-clicking ends up with a left-click 50% of the time. Moreover, using the Google Code Two-Finger Scroll means I can't rest my finger near the bottom of the touchpad while pointing otherwise it scrolls. Does anyone have a solid fix?

 

Uncheck "Keep scrolling on edges" in TwoFingerScroll.

Also make sure the UltraNav two-finger-scroll is disabled when using the third-party one. Better yet, if you don't use the other gestures, disable all UltraNav provided gestures.

 

I actually don't have the lenovo drivers installed, yet my trackpoint shows up under my mouse devices, and the scroll works fine.

 

I have exactly the same problem with the touchpad on x220.
The acceleration for scrolling and the scrolling detection mechanism are so badly written. The acceleration feels unnatural and hard to maintain a precise scroll. It will be great if there can be NO scrolling acceleration at all. The scrolling detection has gotten about 1/2 of the intented scroll. This is a badly written driver. I have updated the lenovo driver to 15.3.8 and now it feels better. The acceleration can be controlled a bit easier (still very very hard), and the scrolling detection can get about 7 out of 10 intended scroll. The scrolling can only start when the pointer is in the intended window but NOT just scroll the active window is really a very bad design. Moreover, I find that the 2-finger clicking also miss a lot, too. The touchpad detection concept in the driver programming team may be seriously mistaken.

BTW, the two finger scrolling detection has a higher rate of success. I believe I would disable one-finger scrolling completely. The irritating acceleration is still there, but I think I can live with it for the moment.

My current comfortable setting is as follow:
- super light touch sensitivity
- no edge motion
- no point enhance
- clicking default
- tapping default
- no 1-finger scrolling
- enable 2-finger scrolling
- no gesture except pinch and rotate
- no "smart " check
(seems at the end most of the functionalities written by the driver team are no use to me )

Anyway, hope we will have even better driver later. For now I can stay with this a bit broken one. Scrolling is a very important functionality and need a very careful treat in the driver.

I would try Colonel O'Neill twofingerscroll later.

 

Good news!
After bumping around in the registry, I find a key to enable Chiral scrolling, which is an excellent replacement for the 1-finger and 2-finger scrolling at this moment. It is very controllable and has much less scroll-detection problem.

Note: As usual, changing settings with regedit has considerable risk. Please backup the registry before you do.
1. start -> run -> regedit.exe
2. Change key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTPCpl\Controls\2Scrolling\1One-Finger Scrolling\3Chiral\Visibility
from 4 to 0
3. Now in the UltraNav Touchpad setting screen, under Scrolling->One-Finger Scrolling, you will see a ChiralMotion Scrolling, check it and then Apply.
4. Try it! Scroll-detect as usual 1-finger scroll, stay in the pad, then use a circular finger motion to scroll forward/backward. The size of the circle you draw also matters. Just feel it and I think you will get what I mean very easily.

So much better now! No unstable acceleration and no scroll-detection miss anymore. Enjoy!

I shall test some other settings when possible, too.
Stay tune.

 

Is there a way to just use the trackpoint as a scrolling feature? I have no problems scrolling in webpages, but when im on like a "Program Files" folder the scrolling doesn't work. Btw idk whats it called but i configured it where the middle button is able to open new tabs and scroll when used with trackpoint...its more responsive than when i tried scrolling with the touchpad thats why

 

By enabling the scrolling function in Controlpanel->Mouse Property->UltraNav? I can use that middle button scrolling feature whenever there is a scrollbar. So by "doesnt work" you mean... ?

 

Another useful function may be the choice of scrolling the active window / the pointed area with scrollbar.


Note: As usual, changing settings with regedit has considerable risk. Please backup the registry before you do.
1. start -> run -> regedit.exe
2. Change keys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTPCpl\Controls\2Scrolling\1Under pointer\Visibility
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTPCpl\Controls\2Scrolling\2Selected item\Visibility
from 4 to 0
3. Now in the UltraNav Touchpad setting screen, under Scrolling, you will see choices of "scroll item under pointer" and "scroll selected item", check what you want and then Apply.
4. Done and try.

I find the "scroll selected item" function works on most apps, but a few doesnt.

 

Yet another useful function is enabling the momentum of the pointer. This one is naturally implemented IMO.

Note: As usual, changing settings with regedit has considerable risk. Please backup the registry before you do.
1. start -> run -> regedit.exe
2. Change keys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTPCpl\Controls\5Pointing\2Momentum\Visibility
from 8 to 0
3. Now in the UltraNav Touchpad setting screen, under Pointing>Momentum, you will see checkbox "enable momentum", check it and then Apply. You can also change the Gilde bar value before applying.
4. Done and try.

This one worths a try. Innovative.

 

This thread is a start toward preventing Lenovo from buttonless trackpads on their computers.

 

Chiral scrolling reminds me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8gF0KTfMrQ

Perhaps it was disabled to avoid a patent dispute with "Apple" (or the Onion...)

 

I doubt it since Chiral scroll works fine in the generic Synaptics drivers.

 

This is truly a great scroll function. I just knew it yesterday. The classic linear scroll is still good, but this particular driver just doesnt get it right. If it was implemented the same as the old linear scroll, I would be quite happy to use it.

 

wow. the touchpad is abysmal. the one in my eepc kind of sucked too but at least scolling worked. funny thing is the eeepc touchpad under linux worked a lot better.
Anyway, can i keep pointstick functionallity with the synaptcis driver from synaptics homepage? or is this an either or?

chrial scorll is just as useless because it doesn't detect the inital downward movement.

 

Thank you so much! :laugh:

 

You could also try this one to see if it works.