How do I get a replacement touchpad for installation on this model?

[DanFrederick]

I need a replacement touchpad, but I cannot find a clearly viable one off of eBay. It's not a simple driver issue, the computer cannot find the touchpad no matter what I do. I suspect the ribbon simply disconnected.

Worse, even if I find one. the way in which some Pavilion laptops have been made including this one make replacing a keyboard and touchpad extraordinarily difficult, requiring that almost all internal components be removed to even reach these two things. My question is, why? Why? Why would you do this? I am living nightmare because of this. I may be homeless soon because of this. Whoever designed this is a psychopath. Why would HP hire design this? Why would a merciful god let them?

[WAWood]

The most likely answer as to WHY is  -- so HP can make money selling you a new computer.

I still remember when OLD laptops had several access panels, all easily removed with a few screws.  You could change out a lot of the hardware, and do it easily.

Then the laptop builders, not just HP, went to these sealed "slabs" -- and NOW, you can't replace ANYTHING.

And even if you do find a local computer service facility that will do a component replacement, they want a FORTUNE for it -- often more than just replacing the computer.