Ubuntu – Alps Touchpad on Dell: how to install the DKMS driver to enable multitouch

software installationtouchpad

Now I know that this has been asked several times here but I couldn't find any decent solution to it.

I am running Ubuntu 12.04 on my DELL N5110 and my touchpad is detected as a mouse, So I don't have the touchpad options availiable. Can't use multitouch and can't disable it either.

I have tried the dkms driver from this link.

But when I tried to install it with dpkg -i command, dpkg returns the following error:

ERROR (dkms apport): unable to determine source package for
psmouse-alps-dkms Error! Bad return status for module build on kernel:
3.2.0-25-generic-pae (i686) Consult /var/lib/dkms/psmouse-alps/0.10/build/make.log for more information.

I have installed all the updates as well.

Can someone help me out with this issue?

Best Answer

I had exact same problem on my Inspiron N5110 running Ubuntu 12.04 but was able to fix it using patch and instructions provided in these two links.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/606238/comments/144

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/606238/comments/147

Touchpad is now recognised as a AlpsPS/2 ALPS DualPoint TouchPad and Touchpad tab is enabled in System Settings. Unfortunately, scrolling is still not an option... :-(

At least touchpad is disabled while typing, which was the biggest problem for me resulting in cryptic writings! :-) Also Fn+F3 is working now (aka, touchpad toggle).

With the last update, multitouch has been enabled on Inspiron N5110. All you need to do is install this DKMS. I think it should work for all laptops with Alps touchpad. Here are more detailed instructions on installing this module than in links provided in the answer. You'll have to change any reference of "psmouse-alps-dst-0.1" to "psmouse-alps-alt-1.3" (the latest version).

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