LinuxQuestions.org
Help answer threads with 0 replies.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 09-30-2013, 11:08 PM   #1
zaru
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2013
Posts: 14

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
MacbookPro trackpad


Hi all,

Has anybody here gotten the MacbookPro trackpad to work properly in X11 as it does in OS/X? I'm using Slackware.

I'm finding I cannot do the usual combination of: click on the pad, holding it down, and drag e.g. to resize a window or move a window.

I've tried adding a Section "InputDevice" to xorg.conf that uses the synaptics driver and specifies a click area, but this does not work.

In addition, tapping to click in Linux/X11 is it interpreted as a short finger-drag with click, instead of just a click.

I've tried copying and pasting another person's xorg.conf section and it seems to have no effect.

By the way, I wonder: To what extent is the awkwardness of using trackpads on Linux due a failure of the developers of X11 to accept that trackpads are not functionally equivalent to mice?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Last edited by zaru; 10-01-2013 at 12:16 AM.
 
Old 10-01-2013, 02:29 AM   #2
druuna
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,532
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405
I've got Debian (Squeeze) with Gnome running on a MacBookPro and the touch-pad works as it should, out of the box. There was no need to create a xorg.conf (all is picked up/initialized automatically by edev).

As far as I can tell only one packet was (automatically) installed that deals with touch-pads: xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

Maybe the pad is too sensitive or otherwise not configured the way you want/like. I do see another package that might be of use (never used it myself): tpconfig.
 
Old 10-01-2013, 09:54 AM   #3
zaru
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2013
Posts: 14

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
Originally Posted by druuna View Post
I've got Debian (Squeeze) with Gnome running on a MacBookPro and the touch-pad works as it should, out of the box. There was no need to create a xorg.conf (all is picked up/initialized automatically by edev).
As far as I can tell only one packet was (automatically) installed that deals with touch-pads: xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
Maybe the pad is too sensitive or otherwise not configured the way you want/like. I do see another package that might be of use (never used it myself): tpconfig.
Can you show me the contents of your Synaptics configuration file(s)?

They should be in /etc/X11/xorg-config.d and maybe /usr/share/X11.

If those exist and work for me, maybe I'll be OK but if not, I may need to extract the settings that OS/X is using, which are perfect.
 
Old 10-01-2013, 10:23 AM   #4
druuna
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,532
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405
Quote:
Originally Posted by zaru View Post
Can you show me the contents of your Synaptics configuration file(s)?
These are from /usr/share/X11/xorg-config.d/

10-evdev.conf:
Code:
#
# Catch-all evdev loader for udev-based systems
# We don't simply match on any device since that also adds accelerometers
# and other devices that we don't really want to use. The list below
# matches everything but joysticks.

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "evdev pointer catchall"
        MatchIsPointer "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "evdev"
EndSection

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "evdev keyboard catchall"
        MatchIsKeyboard "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "evdev"
EndSection

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "evdev touchpad catchall"
        MatchIsTouchpad "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "evdev"
EndSection

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "evdev tablet catchall"
        MatchIsTablet "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "evdev"
EndSection

Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "evdev touchscreen catchall"
        MatchIsTouchscreen "on"
        MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
        Driver "evdev"
EndSection
And 50-synaptics.conf:
Code:
Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "touchpad catchall"
        Driver "synaptics"
        MatchIsTouchpad "on"
EndSection
These 2 are the only files I found with any reference to synaptics/touchpad.
 
Old 10-01-2013, 10:54 AM   #5
zaru
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2013
Posts: 14

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
Originally Posted by druuna View Post
These are from /usr/share/X11/xorg-config.d/
...
These 2 are the only files I found with any reference to synaptics/touchpad.
This now makes even less sense. Are you actually able to do the things
that I originally wrote I couldn't do i.e.
- Tap to click, and the pointer doesn't jump in the process.
- Click and hold it down, and use a second finger to move/resize a window?

Also which kernel do you have?
Thanks.
 
Old 10-02-2013, 02:37 AM   #6
druuna
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,532
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405
All the touchpad gestures seem to work on my side. I'm not a big fan of the extended touchpad gestures in general, so I'm not sure if everything works 100%. The ones you describe work, although they do sometimes "jump" (which I believe is a sensitivity problem).

Out of the box kernel:
Code:
$ uname -a
Linux plains 2.6.32-5-amd64 #1 SMP Mon Sep 23 22:14:43 UTC 2013 x86_64 GNU/Linux
EDIT: I just noticed your other MacBook Pro related thread and you do have a different version then I have, which might be of influence.

My specs:
- MacBook Pro A1260 (2008)
- Intel Core 2 Duo
- Nvidia Geforce 8600M
- 4 Gb RAM

Last edited by druuna; 10-02-2013 at 03:00 AM.
 
Old 10-10-2013, 03:21 AM   #7
druuna
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Sep 2003
Posts: 10,532
Blog Entries: 7

Rep: Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405Reputation: 2405
While looking for something else I came across this: Debian on a MacBook Pro

The complete article might be of interest, but this section has a Synaptics related xorg.conf entry: Debian on a MacBook Pro / Synaptics

Also have a look at the Debian on a MacBook site.

Maybe you are already aware of this site, but just in case I wanted too point it out to you.
 
Old 10-10-2013, 05:03 AM   #8
zeebra
Senior Member
 
Registered: Dec 2011
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 1,824
Blog Entries: 17

Rep: Reputation: 635Reputation: 635Reputation: 635Reputation: 635Reputation: 635Reputation: 635
There are special driver modules in the Kernel for the Apple trackpad.

I have never used it, just noticed it when configuring and compiling a Kernel.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[SOLVED] German keyboard on MacBookPro theosys Linux - Laptop and Netbook 2 12-10-2011 12:35 AM
Video driver trouble with 13.37 on MacbookPro renfield23x5 Slackware - Installation 5 09-18-2011 09:35 AM
No rule to make target 'install'. Stop Newbie on a new macbookpro oldKap Other *NIX 1 04-16-2011 08:10 AM
Toshiba Wireless Keyboard with built in "trackpad" - Trackpad not working. plowers Linux - Newbie 1 11-02-2010 11:12 PM
MacBookPro regie Linux - Newbie 1 03-15-2008 10:43 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:52 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration