Windows 7: Laptop no longer recognizes Touchpad or Trackpoint (not in Device Mgr)

That is what I assumed it was, but he says he has meticulously checked the connections on more than one occasion [perhaps the ribbon or connectors are damaged]!

Nothing in that statement is correct. It was connected and it wasn't on the device manager. If you don't believe me then just don't post here. Telling me it wasn't connected when it was isn't solving the problem. You'd also need to explain how a connector sitting firmly in a socket inside a computer sitting motionless on a table got disconnected, because that's what you're saying happened.

I think your statement above to Megahertz07 is a bit harsh!

We are all volunteers here who give our advice free of charge in order to be able to help members solve their problems. It can be difficult coming up with a solution to a specific problem when we don't have the computer in front of us. That's why we try and narrow down the problem by asking questions so we can eliminate certain approaches and hopefully resolve the problem!

On your post #1, YOU wrote "They don't show up in Device Manager or Control Panel"

The Touch pad / Track point can use a PS2 or USB hardware and be listed on device manager under this devices.
ALL hardware devices are shown on device manager. If it doesn't show on device manager the hardware isn't connected to the computer.

Here is video on Keyboard removal on the Lenovo T510 Lenovo ThinkPad keyboard removal | YouTube.

The video was posted on Youtube. Other videos on that site also show removal of palmrest, for example this one: Lenovo ThinkPad T510 Palmrest removal and fix | YouTube

You can use Device Manager to find versions of drivers. Either Delete the current driver then select Scan for Hardware Changes. Or select Update device.