Toshiba Satellite touchpad problem

[JBR]

Suddenly, I am completely unable to turn off the touchpad. I find it impossible to type anything without inadvertently causing interruptions, due to accidentally touching the touchpad.

I have searched high and low on the internet, tried the usual fn + f4, f5, f9, and tried turning it off in control panel and settings. I have even attempted to delete the Synaptics software, and the touchpad still operates. It seems that Windows keeps reinstalling it!

Admittedly, I have had this laptop for a few years now. Apart from many of the keys working intermittently (I should remove them and clean them) and, of course, this touchpad problem, the rest of the unit works reasonably well

I feel that the only way I'm going to make practical use of this laptop is to cut out a piece of cardboard and glue it over the touchpad, which I have now done!

Can anyone please offer a better suggestion?

 

[chalkywhite]

Rollback most recent touchpad driver update from device manager, then try those kboard shortcuts?

 

[JBR]

Rollback most recent touchpad driver update from device manager, then try those kboard shortcuts?

Thanks. I've just noticed in Windows Updates that there is an update for Synaptics drivers, so I'm waiting for that (and others) to download and install.
If it was a faulty download in a previous Windows Update, that's reminded me to go back to delaying or avoiding Windows Updates! Things used to run smoothly until I allowed downloads recently!

 

[fluorescence]

Download the specific driver for whatever model you have from the Toshiba website.

Touchpad drivers usually have an option to enable 'palm detection' which disables the touchpad whilst typing

 

[JBR]

Thanks Fluorescence.
Actually, having now downloaded a Synaptics driver, the touchpad seems to work properly. I assume that the old driver was faulty or incorrect.
Having done all that, I've left the 'temporary' cover on the touchpad anyway as I never use the touchpad and, who knows, the damned thing might go wrong again!