Ubuntu – Ubuntu 12.04 touch-pad and keyboard problems asus q500a

12.04asuskeyboardtouchpad

I am using an asus q500a with ubuntu 12.04 unity; linux kernel 3.5.0.39 with windows 8 dual boot.

I will note that all of my hardware works flawlessly in windows 8 which came with the computer, I just don't like windows. I am running a dual boot with windows on ntfs and ubuntu on ext4. Windows on uefi.efi.

  • When I boot to ubuntu the first time I press the h key it doesn't work, but it works fine after that. This problem is consistent.

  • Sometimes certain on-board shortcuts on my keyboard will auto-press a key instead of performing their intended function. For example, Fn+F12 is supposed to increase my volume. Sometimes it presses q repeatedly instead.

  • Same problem with brightness controls for screen and keyboard (but other keys besides q like h). Logging out and logging back in fixes the problem temporarily. Tried kernels 3.5.0.36-39 as well as 3.9.11 and it doesn't seem to make much difference. Also tried gnome-panel and xubuntu-desktop. Not much difference except xubuntu seems to have slightly different issues with my hardware.

  • The most annoying problem is sometimes (usually when opening or closing an app) my mouse will get stuck on grab mode. When this happens I cannot click, it just wants to grab windows and drag them around. When this happens I cannot click shutdown, or log off. Space and enter do not seem to work either. Most of the functionality of my keyboard fails when this happens.

  • I am able to open terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T but when I try to type anything it starts opening tabs on top of the screen such as "file" or "edit". The only thing I have found to work is Ctrl+Alt+Del to log out, then waiting 60 seconds for it to do so automatically.

  • Logging out temporarily fixes the problem. I have tried switching to gnome-panel and xubuntu-desktop, as well as the previously mentioned kernels with little difference.

Edit

I have now tried Ubuntu 12.10desktop, and Xubuntu 13.04 and experienced the same problems.

sudo uname -a:

Linux seth-Q500A 3.5.0-41-generic #64~precise1-Ubuntu SMP Thu Sep 12 16:50:04 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

sudo lsb_release -a:

LSB Version:    core-2.0-amd64:core-2.0-noarch:core-3.0-amd64:core-3.0-noarch:core-3.1-amd64:core-3.1-noarch:core-3.2-amd64:core-3.2-noarch:core-4.0-amd64:core-4.0-noarch
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 12.04.3 LTS
Release:        12.04
Codename:       precise

Best Answer

I suggest you to install following packages if they are not already installed:

xserver-xorg-input-multitouch
xserver-xorg-input-synaptics
  • If you are not able to write in terminal, it is possible that you you will be able to type in CLI Mode. Press CTRL+ALT+F1 to go to command line interface. Login using your username and password.

  • Execute following commands to install above mentioned packages if not already installed:

    $ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-input-multitouch
$ sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-input-synpatics

  • Restart your system:

    $ sudo reboot now

  • I hope your problem will be solved after login.

  • If it still exists, you can give a try to Jockey, a package which scans & installs all proprietary drives. You can find it in /usr/share/applications directory. No need to go through command line. Just browse the folder. Run it and wait for sometime till it finishes scanning your available drivers. Restart again and notice the difference.

More information about Synaptic Touchpad:

Synaptic Touchpad Configuration

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