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
 
According to Vance Lankhaar,

> 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.

That would work, I think, but I'd rather have the hooks do these cmds:

ln -sf /dev/psaux /dev/mymouse

ln -sf /dev/input/mice /dev/mymouse

and then point XF86Config at /dev/mymouse instead.

I really don't like the idea renaming standard stuff: I'd
rather wrapper it.

An aside: why disable the touchpad?  I like to have both
working.  I use the touchpad to switch windows (coarse
stuff) and the external mouse for finer stuff.

Tony.