This document pertains to HP notebooks with Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

A TouchPad is a pointing device with a touch-sensitive surface located on the palm rest of the notebook. On some notebooks, the right side of the TouchPad will have a vertical line that indicates a scroll function. Additionally, the TouchPad is usually accompanied by two or more buttons that function as left and right buttons on a conventional mouse pointing device.

The TouchPad can be configured to interpret various gestures on its surface as different actions. For example, if the TouchPad has been configured to do so, a two-finger leftward swipe while browsing a web site will take you to a previously viewed page; or, double-tapping the TouchPad while the cursor hovers over a text file will open the file in your default text editor.

You can adjust the sensitivity of the TouchPad, enable or disable the features and gestures, and change the functionality of the buttons. It usually takes a little practice to get comfortable with the TouchPad.

Common TouchPad gestures

The most commonly used TouchPad actions are gesture-based and provide shortcuts for quickly navigating in and working with windows and files. Most TouchPad models and software can perform all the gestures listed. In some cases these features will be disabled in the TouchPad software, and only need to be enabled or configured.

	Slide your finger across the TouchPad to move the cursor on the screen.
	Tap the TouchPad once to single-click and twice to double-click the cursor.
	To rotate an image or portion of the screen, place two fingers on the TouchPad and then rotate them.
	To drag-and-drop an item, tap the TouchPad twice to select the item, slide your finger to move it, and then lift your finger to release it.
	To scroll a window, a screen, or list, tap the TouchPad with two fingers, then swipe them from side to side or up and down. Lift your fingers to stop scrolling.
	To zoom in or out while working in a window, place two fingers on the TouchPad and move them outward to zoom in and inward to zoom out.

Opening the TouchPad properties page

The configuration options for the TouchPad are located on the TouchPad properties page. To open the properties page:

1. Click Start , enter mouse in the search field, and then select Mouse from the search results.
2. On the Device Settings tab of the Mouse Properties panel, double-click the TouchPad device.

You can adjust the TouchPad settings for scrolling, buttons, touch sensitivity, edge sensitivity, and gesture actions to suit your personal preferences.

Touchpad properties page for Synaptics TouchPads.

Adjusting horizontal and vertical scrolling

The TouchPad's dedicated horizontal and vertical scroll gestures allow you to scroll inside a program window. These are enabled and preconfigured by default. However, you can customize how each gesture is implemented in the TouchPad properties page.

To adjust the scrolling settings:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Expand the Scrolling category heading.
3. Select either One Finger Scrolling or Two Finger Scrolling .

   NOTE:

   If you are new to using gestures on a pointing device, it is recommended that you only configure one of these two options initially until you get used to using them.

   Figure 3: Two Finger Scrolling

   Touchpad properties with Two Finger Scrolling highlighted
4. Select Enable vertical scrolling and Enable horizontal scrolling . This allows you to scroll inside a program window by sliding one or two fingers up and down and left and right on the TouchPad.
5. Configure any other scrolling options until you are satisfied with the gesture behavior.
6. Click OK to close the TouchPad properties page.

Configuring the left and right buttons

The TouchPad's dedicated left-click and right-click buttons give you the same functionality as the buttons on an external pointing device. These are enabled and preconfigured by default. However, you can customize each button using the TouchPad properties page.

To configure the left and right buttons:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Expand the Buttons category heading.
3. Select either the Left Button Action or the Right Button Action , and then select an action from the Button Action list. The default for the left button is Primary Click (Normal Select, Normal Drag) , and Secondary Click (Context Menu, Special Drag) is the default for the right button.
   Figure 4: Selecting Left or Right Button Action

   Touchpad properties with Left and Right Buttons highlighted
4. Click OK to close the TouchPad properties page.

Adjusting single and double tapping

The TouchPad's dedicated single and double tap gestures mimic the single and double click behavior on an external pointing device. You can also tap and drag an item in the same way you click and hold the left button on an external pointing device to drag an item around the screen. These behaviors are enabled and preconfigured by default. You can customize how tapping is implemented in the TouchPad properties page.

To adjust the tap settings:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Expand the Tapping category heading.
3. Select either the Tap and Drag or Tap Zones option and then change the action associated with it. Tap Zones allows you to configure each corner of the TouchPad to function as a separate button.
   Figure 5: Adjusting the Tapping feature

   Touchpad properties with Tapping highlighted
4. Click OK to close the TouchPad properties page.

Adjusting touch sensitivity

The Touch Sensitivity options allow you to adjust the responsiveness of the TouchPad to the pressure of your finger. If the cursor jumps while you type on the keyboard, or when your finger or palm accidently brushes the TouchPad, then the sensitivity setting is too light and you can decrease it to correct this issue. If the cursor does not move smoothly unless you press a finger firmly on the TouchPad, or if cursor movement is delayed or sluggish, then the sensitivity setting is too heavy and you can increase it to correct this issue.

To adjust the TouchPad's sensitivity:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Expand the Pointing and Sensitivity category headings, and then select Touch Sensitivity .
   By default, the sensitivity slider control is set approximately in the center.
   Figure 6: Adjusting Touchpad Sensitivity

   Touchpad properties with Sensitivity highlighted.
3. Brush your finger across the TouchPad and observe how the cursor moves.
   • If the cursor moves erratically when you barely touch the surface of the TouchPad, move the slider toward the Heavy Touch position, click Apply , and test the sensitivity again.
   • If you have to press your finger firmly on the surface of the TouchPad to make the cursor respond, move the slider toward the Light Touch position, click Apply , and test the sensitivity again.
4. When you are satisfied with the touch and movement, click OK to close the TouchPad properties page.

Adjusting edge sensitivity

Adjusting the EdgeMotion settings will correct such problems as:

• The cursor moves only part way across the screen.
• You have to stroke the TouchPad two or three times to get the cursor from one side of the display to the other.
• The curser stops moving at the edge of the TouchPad.
• The curser is pressure sensitive at the edge of the TouchPad.

To adjust the TouchPad's EdgeMotion features:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Expand the Pointing category, and then click EdgeMotion .
   Figure 7: Adjusting EdgeMotion

   Touchpad EdgeMotion properties with Pointing highlighted.
3. Click Perform EdgeMotion when dragging and pointing . This will enable the EdgeMotion functionality.
   To disable this functionality, select No EdgeMotion .
4. Select EdgeMotion Region to view a drawing of the TouchPad. The shaded area around the edges represents the area where you can hold your finger so that the motion of the cursor continues.
   By default the EdgeMotion Region is evenly spaced around the edge of the TouchPad area.
   Figure 8: Adjusting Edge Motion

   Touchpad properties with EdgeMotion highlighted.
5. Move your finger slowly across the TouchPad and observe how the cursor continues to move when you stop your finger and hold it in a shaded area.
6. To accommodate the size of your finger, select and drag a point at the edge of the EdgeMotion Region to adjust the area.
   Click Apply and then test the movement of the cursor again.
7. Select EdgeMotion Speed to view a speed adjustment control. Move the slider to adjust the speed of the cursor when the finger is held in the EdgeMotion Region .
8. When you are satisfied with the selected region and speed, click OK to close the TouchPad properties page.

Turning all gestures off and on

If you want the TouchPad to function like a standard notebook mouse that does not use gestures, you can turn off these features.

To turn all gestures off:

1. Right-click the Synaptics Pointing Device item in the Windows system tray.
2. Select Disable Gestures .
   Figure 9: Turning gestures off

   Taskbar icon for pointing device properties with Disable Gestures highlighted.

To turn gestures back on, simply deselect Disable Gestures in the pop-up menu.

Turning individual gestures off and on

By default, all TouchPad gestures are enabled. However, some gestures are easier to perform and more helpful than others. If you have a problem with or do not wish to use an individual gesture, you can turn it off.

To disable a gesture:

1. Open the TouchPad properties page.
2. Select a TouchPad gesture, or click the plus sign [+ ] beside a gesture to select a specific action.
   Figure 10: Disabling a gesture

   Touchpad properties with Enable/Disable Pinch Zoom highlighted.
3. Deselect the Enable field to turn off the settings for that gesture or action.

The gesture or action can be re-enabled when needed.

Disabling the TouchPad

On some notebooks, the TouchPad can be turned off by pressing an on/off button located near the TouchPad. If the notebook does not have an on/off button, you can still disable the TouchPad using the Mouse Properties screen.

To disable the TouchPad:

1. Click Start , enter mouse in the search field, and then select Mouse from the search results.
2. On the Device Settings tab of the Mouse Properties screen, click the Disable button to turn off the TouchPad.
   Figure 11: Disabling the TouchPad

   Mouse properties with Disable highlighted.

The TouchPad can be re-enabled when needed.

Keeping the TouchPad software up-to-date

HP constantly improves its products and provides software updates to its users. It is highly recommended that you periodically check for updated software, drivers, and even system BIOS to ensure you get the maximum functionality out of your notebook and TouchPad pointing device. To learn how to find the latest software and drivers, see Obtaining Software and Drivers .