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Computer hardware question

ZiprHead

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ZiprHead
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I have an HP Probook 6550b, i5 processor, 8 gigs ram, running win7 64b. This morning, while using the computer, the touchpad and mouse keys (two pair, one below the keyboard and one below the touchpad) stopped working. I reinstalled a fresh driver from HP with no luck. BIOS is reporting "No mouse found". The mouse still moves with the controller nipple in the middle of the keyboard.

Since all three components, the touchpad and both sets of mouse keys, stopped working at the same time and all three have their own separate circuit boards, do you think as I do that this is a motherboard issue?
 
It looks like it's a single module that provides the touchpad and all 4 buttons, it's only the pointing stick that's separate. It's part # 613336-001 if you have a 15.6" screen and 613334-001 if you have a 14" screen. It looks to be integral to the top cover of the computer. If everything else is working, I'd be inclined to think it's either a touchpad module failure, a ribbon cable failure, or just a lose cable rather than a motherboard failure. Of course, it could be a MB failure of the pressure connector to the touchpad module, too.

Given the age and likely cost of the replacement module or motherboard, I'd either replace the entire laptop or just use a USB mouse. No sense in dropping a couple hundred in repairs on a laptop that old.
 
Sure you didn't just disable it? A lot of laptops can disable those, I normally do because I have a habit of accidentally touching them when typing. Check control panel, then mouse, then look for touchpad options.
 
RecoveringYuppy said:
Sure you didn't just disable it? A lot of laptops can disable those, I normally do because I have a habit of accidentally touching them when typing. Check control panel, then mouse, then look for touchpad options.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. Newer HPs have a hotspot in the top left corner where a double tap will either enable or disable the touchpad.
 
Yalius said:
It looks like it's a single module that provides the touchpad and all 4 buttons, it's only the pointing stick that's separate. It's part # 613336-001 if you have a 15.6" screen and 613334-001 if you have a 14" screen. It looks to be integral to the top cover of the computer. If everything else is working, I'd be inclined to think it's either a touchpad module failure, a ribbon cable failure, or just a lose cable rather than a motherboard failure. Of course, it could be a MB failure of the pressure connector to the touchpad module, too.

Given the age and likely cost of the replacement module or motherboard, I'd either replace the entire laptop or just use a USB mouse. No sense in dropping a couple hundred in repairs on a laptop that old.
Click to expand...

Using a USB mouse now. I just D/Ld the service manual and I'll look up the part. Some can be gotten very cheaply on eBay.
 
RecoveringYuppy said:
Sure you didn't just disable it? A lot of laptops can disable those, I normally do because I have a habit of accidentally touching them when typing. Check control panel, then mouse, then look for touchpad options.
Click to expand...

Checked in the control panel and the touchpad is enabled.
 
Just looked on eBay and I can get a top cover for 13 bucks. Think I'll give that a try after I look inside and make sure the connectors are okay. Thanks for the tip, Yalius.
 
The reason I use the touchpad instead of a usb mouse is the table I use the computer on next to my bed isn't big enough to hold the computer and a mouse.

I spend a lot of time in bed due to several fractured vertebras in my back.

Maybe I should just get a bigger table?
 
ZiprHead said:
The reason I use the touchpad instead of a usb mouse is the table I use the computer on next to my bed isn't big enough to hold the computer and a mouse.

I spend a lot of time in bed due to several fractured vertebras in my back.

Maybe I should just get a bigger table?
Click to expand...

When I chill in bed with the laptop on my nightstand, I use my cheapo Logitech wireless mouse which can use nearly any flat surface. I usually lie on my side and use my leg as the mousepad.
 
Meh.

Over 18,500 posts here and nearly all of them are content free. Some would object to "nearly".

But If I've planted the image of my bedroom surfing habits into the consciousness of the forum?

My job is done.
 
Okay, not five minutes ago, it all started working again.

I already checked in the manual for an off/on switch/command and the manual says nothing about it. It just says you must lift your finger before using the scroll bar.

Numerous power downs and reboots and nothing. All of a sudden, its back. Do I have a zombie computer? :D
 
Do you know how to intentionally turn it on and off now? And is the touchpad light on or off now?

I'd still guess you accidentally disabled it, and now have accidentally enabled it.
 
RecoveringYuppy said:
Do you know how to intentionally turn it on and off now? And is the touchpad light on or off now?

I'd still guess you accidentally disabled it, and now have accidentally enabled it.
Click to expand...

No light on the touchpad and, as I said above, nothing in the user manual about being able to turn the TP on or off.

Thinking of going to HP support and posing the question in their forum. If it is something I did, I want to know what it was in case it happens again.

I'm glad I didn't order that part from eBay.
 
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