Trackpad support on linux

[boq]

Hi,

I purchased the new Zbook Studio G5, and prefer to install Ubuntu along Wins. I got everything working except the trackpad, and i learnt from the Linux Hardware Matrix that the problem is known to HP. The suggestion is to wait...

Since HP claimed to have quality linux support, i hope to know if anyone (at least the people who published this: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00060684.pdf) is working on some fix of the issue ?  how long do i have to wait to have my g5 to be fully supported by windows as well as linux ?

Many thanks for information.

[IT_WinSec]

Hi @boq

If I understand the document well and correctly, this issue you write about affects (affected) only Ubuntu 16.04 and not Ubuntu 18 LTS . Ubuntu 18 was released couple of months ago >> https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2018/05/ubuntu-18-04-the-return-of-a-familiar-interfa...

Ubuntu 16.04 comes with kernel 4.4 and 18.04 comes with newer kernel 4.15

More info :

>> https://www.howtogeek.com/213488/how-to-install-hardware-drivers-on-linux/

>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/Support

Have you tried on your own with a live Ubuntu 18.04 USB pendrive or live DVD ?

[boq]

Hi IT_WinSec,

Thank you for the reply.

The document indicates the issue for 18.04 as well. (on page 8, the footnote 8 is also marked under 18.04).  In fact, I tried all the stable versions 18.04 and 18.04.1, I even manually bumped the kernel to 4.18, but the problem still exit.

As you might noticed in the document, this issue is fixed in 18.04 for HP Zbook 15 G5, but not for my Zbook Studio 😞

That is the only blacked font footnote in the document. How unlucky I am......

I hope to get some help from HP, maybe push some fix to the upstream kernel. Not sure if that is possible.

Thanks again for the time. Cheers

[ttutko]

I would just like to add that I am also having the same problem (among others with Ubuntu on my zbook studio x360 g5 with the 4k screen) and I am hoping that HP continues to work on this. I have even just installed Ubuntu 18.10 beta tonight to see if that fixed any of my issues (including the trackpad issue mentioned in this thread) but it has not. The only thing that sort of works is if I suspend ubuntu and then wake it back up. After that, the trackpad will partially work.

[paulb2019]

Similar problem, new HP Zbook 15 G5, with Ubuntu 18.04.1, neither touchpad/mouse work. Have to plug in USB mouse. Any solutions from HP? 

[Pmalbec]

Similar Problem, HP 240 G6 Notebook PC.

Installed Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, do not work touchpad

Upgrade to 18.10, do not work touchpad

Thanks in advance

[WAWood]

I'm sorry, but we here are not equipped to provide detailed Linux support.

HP only warranties their PCs for usage with the OS that comes preinstalled. IF you replace that with Linux, or add a Linux OS, then you assume full responsibility for maintaining that -- as HP provides Linux assistance only on Redhat and then only to commercial customers.

Any hardware that does not work will then range from simple (if there are Linux drivers available) to impossible (if there are NO Linux drivers available) to fix.

Since HP does not provide Linux drivers, your best bet for Linux support is to contact the support forum for the Linux distro you are using.

Folks on Linux support forums have experience using a variety of machines with Linux and know a lot about driver and installation issues. You will be able to get sound and detailed help there.

Good Luck

[pczekalski]

Thanks for the reply.

Actually this is not a quality level support for the HP's top workstation sold for over 3500EUR in Europe.

That is my first, and possibly last HP.

I consider it as "sell and forget" , same way when buying cheap goods on Aliexpress or Banggood.

Regards 

P. 

[tongfa]

I noticed on this ArchLinux wiki it suggested to disable an i2c driver which will cause linux to use a different driver for the trackpad.  I imagine this is a kernel thing, so may also apply to Ubuntu.

Touchpad

You will have to disable i2c-hid to get the touchpad to work, this forces a fallback to the ps2 drivers. Create a file containing "blacklist i2c_hid" (e.g. "i2c.conf") in the modprobe.d directory (/etc/modprobe.d/) to disable it.

 blacklist i2c_hid

save & reboot.

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/HP_Zbook_Studio_G5

I am a prospective HP Zbook buyer and want to run Ubuntu, so I have no way of testing of the above method will produce a good result.  Please post your success here if it works.