Re: disable trackpad

On Tue, 2003-07-08 at 15:06, Ash Varma wrote:
> Hello.
> 
> I am new to the list. Had a look at the archives on returntonature.com,
> but was unable to find a solution to my problem, so am asking here.
> 
> I have a Sony Vaio pcg-grx700p laptop, and would like to disable the
> track-pad, whenever I have a mouse connected to the back of the machine.
> 
> Could someone suggest what I could try to achieve this. Any help would
> be much appreciated.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Ash

Before I start, my suggestiong probably sounds very hackish, but it
might just work.... (and I must admit, I don't much like the idea of
it).

This is assuming you're using a USB mouse

Set a hook on your usb hotplug manager (no idea how, though I'm sure
it's possible) that runs a simple little script to 'hide' /dev/psaux
when the usb gets plugged in:

#!/bin/sh
mv -f /dev/psaux /dev/psaux.hidden

And a hook to fix it when the usb mouse is removed:

#!/bin/sh
mv -f /dev/psaux.hidden /dev/psaux


Okay, so here's my thoughts:
1. I don't have a clue if my idea would even work -> something tells
   me that X might not like it much if /dev/psaux randomly disappeared
2. And it doesn't handle the case of X crashing while the mouse is
   plugged it -> I really doubt your X would start at that point
3. And what if your computer runs out of battery? (or, someone pushes
   and holds your power button) -> there's be no /dev/psaux

2 and 3 could be fairly easily solved by having the x/gdm/kdm/xdm init
script run the unhide script


Anyhow, that might just work, until you find a better solution.

Vance Lankhaar