Member Avatar for Markduc

I disabled my onboard pointing device on my laptop to install a wireless mouse, now I can't do a thing! I have no way to navigate. I am using Windows XP operating system. I sure hope someone can help me with this problem. Thanks
Mark

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

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Quick, practical recovery steps for (and thanks to for checking the keyboard): if the laptop keyboard works you can fix a disabled touchpad without a mouse. The usual causes are (a) the device was disabled in Windows, (b) a vendor driver/tab is off, (c) an Fn/function-key or hardware switch toggled the pad, or (d) the touchpad is disabled in the BIOS/firmware.

Short-term: enable MouseKeys so the numeric keypad moves the pointer. Press Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock and accept the prompt; the numeric keypad will let you position and click until the pad is restored.

Re-enable in Windows: press Windows+R, type devmgmt.msc and Enter to open Device Manager. Use the keyboard to expand "Mice and other pointing devices", select the touchpad entry, then press Shift+F10 (or the application/menu key) to open the context menu and choose Enable. If that’s not present, press Enter to open Properties, go to the Driver tab and enable the device there.

Vendor tab or Mouse settings: run main.cpl from Run to open Mouse Properties — Synaptics/ALPS drivers often add their own tab with an enable/disable checkbox.

Hardware/firmware fallbacks: look for an Fn + function‑key with a pointing‑device icon or a small physical switch around the pad. If still off, reboot, enter BIOS/Setup (common keys: F2, F10, Del, Esc) and ensure the internal pointing device is Enabled. If the wireless receiver isn’t recognized, try a different USB port or a temporary wired USB mouse. As a last resort use System Restore (rstrui.exe) or Safe Mode to undo recent changes.

Caution: if the pad was disabled in BIOS, enabling it inside Windows won’t help — check both places.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

So your keyboard won't work either

Member Avatar for Markduc

So your keyboard won't work either

oh no, my keyboard works, I just don't know exactly what to do

Member Avatar for caperjack

so can't you just reinable the onboard pointing devices,you can use the tab key and the arrow keys to navagate

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