P1 gen 1 Trackpoint and the 3 buttons not working.

[JoachimV]

Hi there

Got a P1 that the trackpoint with the 3 buttons not working.
I tried a lot, different drivers etc.

It shows up in Bios as enabled.
In Windows prefs it is greyed out.

Is this no more to concider than a repair?

[ZaZ]

Perhaps booting to a Linux distro, which does not require installation, may tell you wether it's a hardware or software issue.

[JoachimV]

Perhaps booting to a Linux distro, which does not require installation, may tell you wether it's a hardware or software issue.

Interesting but new to me. A quick guide to get started on this would be highly appreciated.

I got it 2nd hand at a bargian so to confirm this HW vs SW is excactly what Im asking.

[H-Atkinson]

The BIOS diagnostics section should have a trackpoint test, but this sounds like a driver issue. If it passes the self-test, its a driver thing, if not, you could try re-seating the trackpoint connection between the keyboard and motherboard.

[ZaZ]

This may be of interest. Basically, you put the distro on a USB stick and tell the computer to boot to USB. Then follow the prompts. If it work in Linux it's likely a software issue, but if it does not work, then the hardware would seem to be the culprit. Alternatively, I've got a Blu ray burner I slapped together in 2005 and can burn a disc for doing installs, so if you've got an optical drive laying around, that's an option.

[JoachimV]

The BIOS diagnostics section should have a trackpoint test, but this sounds like a driver issue. If it passes the self-test, its a driver thing, if not, you could try re-seating the trackpoint connection between the keyboard and motherboard.

Thanks, I was looking for a specific trackpoint test but my T570 trackpoint responds to the ps/2 mouse test. The P1 does not.

So my guess this is HW issue. Not sure if I wanna go ahead opening and re-seating.

Is there any reason to try the Linux/Ubunto boot after this?

I got a really good 2nd hand deal and have to concider returning it. Or get en even better discount. Ill have to talk to him.

[H-Atkinson]

If its not working in the BIOS then I don't see why Linux would make it work. I'd check HMM for the steps to replace the keyboard and then do those to get at the cable and re-seat it (iirc on the P1s its pretty easy, you take the bottom panel off and there's a ribbon that wraps around to the bottom side of the motherboard). Hopefully that fixes it, if not you may need a new keyboard, which on a P1G3 means the whole top case unfortunately. Is it under warranty still?

[ZaZ]

Linux be free while keyboards cost money. Pick the low hanging fruit first.

[H-Atkinson]

Try it if you want, but if its not working in BIOS it wont work in Linux.