Touchpad pointer speed

johnp · 2021-01-09 05:45

Just installed Q4OS TDE....and really like it!!....I have an older Acer Aspire AO722 (Im guessing around 2012-13 model)with Elantech touchpad i believe....Ive been trying to figure out how to speed up the pointer....Ive been reading the documentation but im so used to GUI Im not sure how to get to the touchpad settings, Touchpad works great out of the box but just want to speed up movement of pointer....any help would be much appreciated.Thanks.

Last edited by johnp (2021-01-10 18:56)

bin · 2021-01-09 06:24

Hello and welcome.

First of all open a terminal - Konsole. Then type

sudo kcmodules --unlock

That allows you access to all the settings.

Next go to the Control Centre>Peripherals>Mouse>Advanced

That will allow you to alter the speed and acceleration.

johnp · 2021-01-09 07:36

Thanks bin......I went to "pointer acceleration" and cranked it way up,but it didnt make a difference....I even logged out and back in.

bin · 2021-01-09 09:48

Not surprised - it's good that it even works at all!

Just to be sure which driver is being used, in Konsole

grep "Using input driver" /var/log/Xorg.0.log

Copy and paste the output please - it could be using libinput or it could be synaptics.

johnp · 2021-01-09 17:57

[ 903.835] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 903.870] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'
[ 903.923] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 903.959] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 903.989] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'WebCam: WebCam'
[ 904.040] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 904.077] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 904.139] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 904.180] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Acer WMI hotkeys'
[ 12241.450] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 12241.485] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'
[ 12241.535] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 12241.563] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 12241.597] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'WebCam: WebCam'
[ 12241.649] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 12241.681] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 12241.815] (II) Using input driver 'synaptics' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 12241.852] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Acer WMI hotkeys'
[ 13496.691] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 13496.724] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'
[ 13496.765] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 13496.794] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 13496.823] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'WebCam: WebCam'
[ 13496.873] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 13496.907] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 13496.958] (II) Using input driver 'synaptics' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 13496.994] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Acer WMI hotkeys'
john@john-pc:~$

bin · 2021-01-10 07:07

Thanks - I think the issue is having both libinput and synaptics on the go.

Make sure you have an external mouse you can plug in if needed.

Reboot using the live media
grep "Using input driver" /var/log/Xorg.0.log - does it show

Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
Using input driver 'synaptics' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'

If so then
sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

Log out and back in - the live session user is adminq - no pwd

grep "Using input driver" /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Hopefully it will only show libinput and the trackpad will behave.

If all is OK repeat on your installed system.

It is possible it will not make a difference on live in which case repeat on the running system.
After removing synaptics reboot and see if you get better control of the touchpad.

Sorry, but this is a bit of trial and error.

johnp · 2021-01-10 14:49

Hey bin....here is output on live system:
adminq@debian:~$ grep "Using input driver" /var/log/Xorg.0.log
[ 140.370] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 140.443] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'
[ 140.492] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 140.521] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 140.556] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'USB OPTICAL MOUSE'
[ 140.733] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'WebCam: WebCam'
[ 140.789] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 140.824] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 140.896] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 140.934] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Acer WMI hotkeys'
adminq@debian:~$
I will repost with output on installed OS.
Thx

johnp · 2021-01-10 15:06

bin...Here is output on installed OS:
john@john-pc:~$ grep "Using input driver" /var/log/Xorg.0.log
[ 32.267] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 32.366] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Video Bus'
[ 32.416] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Power Button'
[ 32.446] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Sleep Button'
[ 32.485] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'USB OPTICAL MOUSE'
[ 32.661] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'WebCam: WebCam'
[ 32.727] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[ 32.767] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'ETPS/2 Elantech Touchpad'
[ 32.836] (II) Using input driver 'libinput' for 'Acer WMI hotkeys'
john@john-pc:~$
I dont see any synaptics, So I didnt run "sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-input-synaptics"
The Trackpad behaves great...even the side scrolling works,....Its just I wish I could speed up the pointer movement,Thank you for your help with this!

johnp · 2021-01-10 15:30

bin, I went ahead and ran command on installed system...and synaptic was in there...I removed it and rebooted, nothing changed.
john@john-pc:~$ sudo apt remove xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
[sudo] password for john:
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
After this operation, 332 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 150327 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing xserver-xorg-input-synaptics (1.9.1-1) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.8.5-2) ...
john@john-pc:~$

bin · 2021-01-11 07:08

Having removed synaptics successfully it may well be a case of fiddling with a couple of .conf files to tweak the trackpad via libinput.

Try this and see if the speed increases
sudo xinput set-prop ID "libinput Accel Speed" +0.5

If that works then you'll need to edit /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf

In the section near the top:-
Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput pointer catchall"
MatchIsPointer "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
EndSection

Insert a new line before the EndSection
Option "AccelSpeed" "+0.5"

It may be that will be needed in the trackpad section - I am working a bit blind with this.

The value of 0.5 can be up to 1 so you can play with the command l line entry shown above to get to the value you like - assuming it works in the first place!

q4osteam · 2021-01-11 12:01

You may need to rename files in "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/"

/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf
/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/60-libinput.conf

so run in terminal:

$ sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/.50-synaptics.conf.template
$ sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/60-libinput.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/.60-libinput.conf.template

The above falls back to the default vendor configuration.

johnp · 2021-01-11 16:54

Thank You Bin and Q4OS for help!,....I will try these this Friday.....I work 4 days straight with little time but sleep,...Will keep you posted,Thx again.

shaunb · 2021-01-15 06:53

bin wrote:

It may be that will be needed in the trackpad section - I am working a bit blind with this.

I used the following to solve a similar issue a while back:

Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall"
MatchIsTouchpad "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
Option "Tapping" "true"
Option "ScrollMethod" "twofinger"
Option "AccelSpeed" "1"
Option "AccelProfile" "adaptive"
Option "DisableWhileTyping" "true"
EndSection

@johnp:
I also added a few other options too (Tapping, ScrollMethod, AccelProfile, DisableWhileTyping) to get my touchpad working nicely.

See libinput man page for more details...

Shaun

johnp · 2021-01-15 15:34

q4osteam,..I used both of your commands, after hitting enter it just simply went back to command prompt (is that correct?) Thanks.

bin....I tried running your command but got this:
"john@john-pc:~$ sudo xinput set-prop ID "libinput Accel Speed" +0.5
sudo: xinput: command not found"
I didnt want to try editing anything because that command didnt work,..Thanks.

shaunb...I didnt want to try to edit anything until I could see how bin's command worked, How do I locate " libinput man page" Thanks.

Last edited by johnp (2021-01-15 16:27)

q4osteam · 2021-01-15 15:49

johnp wrote:

q4osteam,..I used both of your commands, after hitting enter it just simply went back to command prompt (is that correct?) ..

Yes, that's correct.

shaunb · 2021-01-15 19:29

johnp wrote:

shaunb...I didnt want to try to edit anything until I could see how bin's command worked, How do I locate " libinput man page" Thanks.

Google "libinput(4) man page" to find the libinput manual (I can't post a direct link for some reason)

q4osteam · 2021-01-15 20:22

@shaunb
Your forum account has been promoted for you to be able to post links now.

johnp · 2021-01-15 21:55

shaunb wrote:

Google "libinput(4) man page" to find the libinput manual (I can't post a direct link for some reason)

shaunb, I found this page,..
https://manpages.debian.org/buster/xser … .4.en.html

but for the life of me I cant make heads or tails of it....
Also,...I want to try and insert ( Option "AccelSpeed" "1") ....but should I use:
Identifier "libinput pointer catchall" or Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall" section......Thanks.

shaunb · 2021-01-15 23:20

I would create/edit a file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ over /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/ because I think /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d takes precedence.

My touchpad settings are actually in the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/60-libinput.conf (the one you renamed) but you could also put the info into 40-libinput.conf (as per bin's post) if you want. (The number prefixes aren't critical. They just indicate the logical order the .conf files are processed).

I suggest creating/editing the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf.

Find (or create) the section:
Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall"
MatchIsTouchpad "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
Option "AccelSpeed" "1" # <-- Add your touchpad acceleration setting here
EndSection

That should increase the touchpad speed after a logout/login.

You can also add in extra options I mentioned if you want. These are explained in https://manpages.debian.org/buster/xser … .4.en.html under CONFIGURATION DETAILS. Just add them after the Option "AccelSpeed" "1" line...
E.g.
Option "Tapping" "true" # Enables tapping on touchpad = left mouse click
Option "ScrollMethod" "twofinger" # Enables two finger scrolling
etc.

Hope that works for you!

Shaun

johnp · 2021-01-16 03:33

shaunb wrote:

I suggest creating/editing the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf.
Find (or create) the section:
Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall"
MatchIsTouchpad "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
Option "AccelSpeed" "1" # <-- Add your touchpad acceleration setting here
EndSection

I followed bin's advice in post #10....I even increased it to [Option "AccelSpeed" "2"],...no change in pointer speed....I have been trying to become root to creat the file you are suggesting but not having any luck....would you be able to walk me through this? Thanks.

bin · 2021-01-16 07:10

Use the root filemanager tool in Prograns>Accessories>System>Superuser>Krusader or Konqueror

The file /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf should already exist.

Locate the section I identified near the top:-

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

and make it look like this.

Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput pointer catchall"
MatchIsPointer "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
Option "AccelSpeed" "+0.5"
EndSection

The value of 0.5 can be up to 1. Where you start is up to you - maybe .75?

johnp · 2021-01-16 14:47

bin wrote:

Use the root filemanager tool in Prograns>Accessories>System>Superuser>Krusader or Konqueror

Thank you!...Had no idea that was there....and I thought I had explored everthing in TDE...Mine goes Applications>System>Superuser>Krusader or Konqueror.

I modified the file a couple of different ways to calculate increase of speed if there should be any, I couldnt tell any difference from 0.1 to 1., Is it possible to go higher that 1?
Thanks.

p.s....This is not a deal breaker for me using TDE!. I can still use Trackpad, All the gestures seem to function ok...double tap, even edge scrolling works..just takes a few more swipes to get where I need to be,I love it, Its very responsive on this old Aspire.I previously had Lubuntu loaded on it but TDE is more responsive and a lot less clutter (un-needed apps)...Im using an "ONN" bluetooth mouse i purchased at Wal-mart for $9.88..works great!

bin · 2021-01-16 15:22

Yup - Location may be slightly different. I use the Trinity Classic menu - takes up less space and I'm afraid that as I was using KDE 1.x back in the late 90's I cannot get on with the new fangled things

1 is the maximum I'm afraid.

Sorry but I'm fresh out of ideas on this - mind you I get the reverse issue on my wife's Acer 6930 - trackpad is OK but external mouse is a pain.....hey ho!

johnp · 2021-01-16 15:54

bin wrote:

I was using KDE 1.x back in the late 90's I cannot get on with the new fangled things

I totally agree with you!!... I do really like the Debonaire though...very clean.

Thanks again bin for all your help,...Also Thank you to q4osteam and shaunb!

Attachments:

Screenshot from 2021-01-16 08-41-37.png, Size: 66.8 KiB, Downloads: 291

shaunb · 2021-01-16 19:44

johnp

Just for interest, you could try changing the generic pointer settings to touchpad specific settings.

It should work (and does work on my Old Samsung Netbook!) I'm not convinced the generic pointer settings will achieve the same. Other wise you could crank up the value within the TDE GUI and it would affect both mouse and touchpad. Which you've found out it does not...

Section "InputClass"
Identifier "libinput touchpad catchall"
MatchIsTouchpad "on"
MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
Driver "libinput"
Option "AccelSpeed" "1"
EndSection

Regards
Shaun

Q4OS Forum

#1 2021-01-09 05:45

Touchpad pointer speed

#2 2021-01-09 06:24

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#3 2021-01-09 07:36

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#4 2021-01-09 09:48

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#5 2021-01-09 17:57

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#6 2021-01-10 07:07

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#7 2021-01-10 14:49

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#8 2021-01-10 15:06

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#9 2021-01-10 15:30

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#10 2021-01-11 07:08

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#11 2021-01-11 12:01

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#12 2021-01-11 16:54

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#13 2021-01-15 06:53

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#14 2021-01-15 15:34

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#15 2021-01-15 15:49

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#16 2021-01-15 19:29

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#17 2021-01-15 20:22

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#18 2021-01-15 21:55

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#19 2021-01-15 23:20

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#20 2021-01-16 03:33

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#21 2021-01-16 07:10

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#22 2021-01-16 14:47

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#23 2021-01-16 15:22

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#24 2021-01-16 15:54

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

#25 2021-01-16 19:44

Re: Touchpad pointer speed

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