Install Symantic Touchpad Driver and keyboard ceases to function

[Malone]

I recently upgraded my Sony Vaio VGN-730E/B from Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit to Windows 7 Professional 64bit. According to the Microsoft Tool for upgrading to Windows 7 and the specs for the notebook upgrading to Windows 7 64bit is possible.

I have tracked down and modded drivers for Nvidia GeForce 8400M GT, Wireless Card, Ethernet Adapter, Motherboard, Synaptic Touchpad...
- which is the problem, the touchpad driver invalidates my keyboard...
- if I don't install the driver, they scroll function of the touchpad doesn't work

Also, I am unable to find a driver for my keyboard or peripheral buttons on the laptop...
It's not a big deal, but my eject button for my DVD Rom device doesn't function...

Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[marsmimar]

Hello Malone and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you use the Sony eSupport to get your updated drivers?

Sony eSupport - Computers - Notebook - Select Your Model

After installing the touchpad driver go into control panel > mouse > function tab to make sure the scroll feature is enabled. Also check the hardware tab and double-click Alps pointing device > driver tab to make sure you have the latest driver there as well.

From control panel you can also check the keyboard > hardware tab > double-click PS/2 keyboard > driver tab to make sure there isn't a newer keyboard driver.

The control panel will also get you to device manager which will let you check the status of your DVD/CD ROM and see if an updated driver is available. But since the eject button on the DVD tray is also a partly mechanical device it's possible that some dirt may have gotten into the mechanism and is keeping it from working. Perhaps a quick blast of compressed air around the button?

 

[Malone]

Sony eSupport

Sony doesn't support any OS other than the pre-installed Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit for my laptop. My laptop is about 4 years old and out of warranty. I tried to contact Sony Support and in order to get any kind of support (driver or otherwise) they want $50.00 to "troubleshoot" the problem. I know what is wrong, I know what I need, but I refuse to pay $50.00 to get a driver for my computer, which they wouldn't have provided anyways. I received an e-mail from Sony stating that they wouldn't support a 64bit OS for my current system.

If anyone knows how I can get a driver for a 4 year old piece of equipment (Synaptic Touchpad) that won't work with the driver at Synaptics.com, please let me know. I have tried the driver at their website, but it completely deactivates my keyboard, or if I hack the 32bit driver I lose functionality of all the action buttons on my keyboard.

In my previous post I stated that the eject button for my DVD Rom device doesn't function. I was referring to the action button on the laptop next to the keyboard. The button on the actual DVD Rom device (on the side) functions just fine.

 

[marsmimar]

Sorry to hear you're still having issues. The problem with drivers is there may not be one in existence for an older computer. You could try a 3rd party source like Driver Max. I believe the free version allows a limited number of driver downloads each day (like maybe only 2.) Other companies may charge a yearly fee but allow unlimited downloads each day. Driver Max requires you to register with a valid email address and they will send you an account activation code.

DriverMax - free driver updates

 

[Malone]

Thank you for the reply Marsmimar. I have given a bit of thought to the problem and decided that it really isn't worth the effort to fix it. My keyboard and touchpad work without the drivers, with them they both cease to function properly. Apparently not all of my hardware is 64 bit compatible. The generic drivers allow limited functionality, but functionality nonetheless.

 

[marsmimar]

If it's any consolation, a lot of machines meet the minimum requirements for upgrade from XP or Vista to Windows 7. Problem is, those minimum requirements assume that all hardware manufacturers have taken the time to create new drivers specifically for 7. Some do but only in 32-bit. Others don't want to invest any time believing that people will eventually just buy a newer machine. I had the exact same issue with an older Dell so I know what you're going through.

 

[Malone]

I use this laptop for work, and I've yet to find a piece of equipment that doesn't still serve a purpose of some sort in this ever changing technological environment. Hardware manufacturers are interested in their bottom line, I'm interested in what works, for as long as it works.

Again, I thank you for your time and effort.