Daughter's Laptop: Trackpad Stopped Working - Hardware Issue - Recommendation for Repair Service

johnwinds on 15/04/2018 - 18:12

My daughter's trackpad on her laptop (Asus CX360CA, Windows 10) stopped working the other day and I verified it's probably a hardware issue by trying a Ubuntu LiveCD boot and a Windows 8 boot. Flashing the BIOS to latest, and disabling/enabling the pointing device in the BIOS didn't help. Also tried the Function-F9 key (which disables/enables the trackpad). I concluded it's not a driver issue (i.e. Windows 10 Fall Creator update issue) as this would have worked with the LiveCD or Windows 8.

She can use a plug in mouse, but she is going to Uni at the moment and there is no space to run a traditional mouse in the classroom. She also can't be without her laptop for extended periods of time due to studies.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a reliable and affordable hardware repair business in the Melbourne area (close to Bentleigh East would be a plus)? Also any idea of the cost for such a repair?

Computing

Comments

  • Randxyz123 on 15/04/2018 - 18:26

    Can you try restoring to factory settings ?

    What OS is installed ?

    • Randxyz123 on 15/04/2018 - 20:36

      Really ? Negged for asking that?

      You say it’s a windows 10 laptop but said the issue started when you dual booted Ubuntu and windows 8.

      It sounds software related to me.

      • enzioFirenze on 15/04/2018 - 20:56
        +3

        nope, OP tried Ubuntu to figure out whether it's a software or hardware problem, trying Ubuntu wasn't the cause of it!

      • johnwinds on 15/04/2018 - 22:35

        It was a LiveCD boot of Ubuntu, i.e. not installed on the hard drive. If it was software related, you'd think that out of 3 OSes I tried, one of them would work.

  • dcep on 15/04/2018 - 18:35

    is there asus trackpad program running on taskbar ?

    • No Username on 15/04/2018 - 19:57

      It's a hardware issue. Most trackpads should work on during OS installation. Since they act as a PS2 input.

  • mskeggs on 15/04/2018 - 18:52
    +1

    Is it under warranty? Perhaps your credit card offers extended warranty?

    • johnwinds on 15/04/2018 - 22:37

      I bought it in January 2017 from Amazon (US). Not sure if that means the warranty path is out.

  • dog lover on 15/04/2018 - 20:05

    Google computer repair shops near you most are cheap and friendly and don't charge a fortune.. or ask on a computer forum…. why ask here? As to warranty he has changed the OS system to UB that's not going to be covered.

    • rompastompa on 15/04/2018 - 21:13

      FYI; You can boot off Ubuntu without formatting and overwriting current OS.

      • D C on 15/04/2018 - 21:22

        FYI: You should look up what LiveCD is. Or at least read the post.

        • rompastompa on 15/04/2018 - 21:23

          FYI; You should read the message I was replying to..

          As to warranty he has changed the OS system to UB that's not going to be covered.

        • dog lover on 17/04/2018 - 19:54

          Yeah my bad me culpa. Sucks skim reading…

  • Peter Enis on 15/04/2018 - 21:14

    If you are up to it, try your luck… Remove the required screws on the underside of the laptop, enough to remove the trackpad enclosure and removing then reseating the trackpad connector. I've had faulty keyboard keys on a laptop play up because of a loose connector.
    Plus it will also reveal to you if it is water/liquid damage that has caused it to stop working.

    • johnwinds on 15/04/2018 - 22:40

      I'm a little bit nervous about cracking it open due to past experience with little springs getting lost, or never being able to put Humpty Dumpty together again. But I might give this a shot.

  • rompastompa on 15/04/2018 - 21:18
    +2

    Providing that it's still not under warranty, my suggestion is to check that the ribbon cable is still connected to the mainboard. It's possible that it was never clipped fully down, or was broken from new. It sounds like you've done the right things to determine that it's a hardware issue rather than a software issue.

    Generally, the touchpad is part of the palm rest so you'd need to replace the whole cover. These should be around <$100 OEM, but not sure about Asus. If it looks like it needs to be replaced, call Asus support on 1300 278 788 and find out the part number.

    You could also get a USB touchpad and rest it where the current touch pad is. That way, you don't have to worry about a location for the mouse.

    Couple of other suggestions: Make sure that no mice are connected. Remove all USB devices - specifically any receivers. Remove the battery/power and allow the power to dissipate from the capacitors over night, or a couple of days. When you're ready, leave the battery out and only plug in the AC Adaptor.

    • johnwinds on 15/04/2018 - 22:41

      Thanks. Some good ideas there. See my reply to musthazbargains above.

  • ShannonN on 16/04/2018 - 01:51

    If she is running win 10 on a lappy is there a popup mouse equivalent (onscreen) kbd thing like arrow keys etc to keep her going until she can spare the time to get it fixed away from uni time, its Easter isn't uni on a break?

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