Member Avatar for willyontour

I have an Acer Aspire 5100 running Windows XP.

I recently installed a LightWave USB TV/AV Combo TV aerial unit to enable me to watch TV on my laptop. I live in Uganda so don't have many options apart from this in my place.

Everything was fine for a day or so and then my Touchpad stopped working.

I plugged in a USB mouse which works.

But I want to get my Synaptics TouchPad working again.

I reinstalled the latest driver from the Acer website.

Now, when I boot up, the touchpad works for around 5 seconds after my desktop shows but then it freezes.

I've tried unplugging the USB mouse and rebooting but the same thing happens.

I really need this USB TV tuner unit.

I'm not 100% that this is the reason for the conflict.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by willyontour

Dani AI

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Quick practical checklist (software-first, then hardware). The goal is to: 1) quickly tell whether this is a driver/conflict or a hardware/cable fault, 2) stop Windows File Protection (WFP) repeatedly restoring files during driver installs, and 3) get a stable Synaptics driver installed.

  • Boot to Safe Mode (F8 at power-on) and see whether the pad stays responsive. If it works in Safe Mode the problem is almost certainly a driver or startup conflict; if it fails there it is likely hardware. See Microsoft’s guidance on using msconfig / clean-boot troubleshooting. (learn.microsoft.com)

    • If Safe Mode looks good, perform a Clean Boot (msconfig → Selective startup / hide Microsoft services → disable non-Microsoft services and startup items) and re-test to isolate the conflicting item. (learn.microsoft.com)

  • Run the System File Checker from an elevated command prompt to let Windows repair protected system files that may have been replaced during driver installs:

    sfc /scannow

    If sfc asks for installation media, don’t panic — WFP/SFC will prompt when it needs original files. Microsoft documents how SFC works and how to run it. (support.microsoft.com)

  • If SFC keeps requesting the SP3 disc, point Windows to a valid source (local i386 or ServicePackFiles) or obtain the standalone SP3 package and extract/copy its i386 files. The registry values SourcePath and ServicePackSourcePath control where SFC/WFP look for files (edit only if comfortable and after exporting the key). (learn.microsoft.com)

  • Synaptics settings and a quick registry trick: some Synaptics drivers include an option to auto-disable the touchpad when a USB mouse is present. If that UI is missing you can add the key (backup registry first):

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTPEnh
Create DWORD DisableIntPDFeature = 0x33 (hex)  ; (51 decimal)

    That will expose/enable the “Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached” option. (learn.microsoft.com)

  • Clean driver reinstall workflow: with the tuner unplugged, uninstall Synaptics (Control Panel + Device Manager → uninstall, remove driver files if prompted), reboot into a clean-boot state, remove leftover C:\Program Files\Synaptics and related SynTP keys, then install a stable XP-era Synaptics package (install while minimal services/startup items are running). If the pad still dies after a few seconds, check BIOS for an “Internal Touchpad / Internal Pointing Device” enable/disable setting (enter BIOS with F2 on most Acers). (manuals.plus)

Tie-in to thread: follow ’s uninstall/check-physical-connection idea after the software steps — if nothing helps, the ribbon/cable or pad electronics may be failing and will need inspection/repair. If you need links or exact registry steps written out for XP, include that request and the specific OS build (Home/Pro) so instructions match.

Member Avatar for Arsenal101

Try to completely uninstall you Touch pad driver and then reinstall the latest one. If that doesn't work and you are comfortable disassembling your computer i would take it apart and check the physical connection between the touch pad and the motherboard. Also try to go into the Device manager and check to see if there are any symbols like a yellow triangle next to the Touch pad.
Reply with Results :)

Member Avatar for willyontour

Uninstalled it asked me to restart when it found new hardware. It didn't automatically reinstall it. So I downloaded the latest drivers from acer for synaptics and installed them.

During installation a message popped up as follows:
"Files that are required for windows to run have been replaced by unrecognised versions. To maintain system stability windows must restore original versions of these files. Insert Windows XP Home edition Service Pack 3 CD"

So, I don't have this CD. I installed SP3 through windows automatic updates!

I have the CD for another computer but it won't recognise this CD in the computer having the problems.

I can't take the computer apart.

In any case, the touchpad works for a few seconds after start up and then stops.

There are no yellow triangles in device manager.

Any more help

Thanks

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