hewlett packard orange light left of touchpad

[lindagabby]

there is a orange light just left of touch pad on my hewlett packard  windows 8 laptop what does this mean and why does it come on?  any feedback would be appreciated. thank you

[Dragon-Fur]

Welcome to the HP forum, Linda.

See this document for the basics about your TouchPad:

Using and Troubleshooting the TouchPad (Windows 😎

More Information of the subject - READ before changing anything on your computer.

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How to Disable TouchPad Options

TouchPad On / Off Switch - Session

• The first option is to simply turn off the TouchPad with the on / off switch in the Upper Left corner.  It takes a firm double tap in the far upper left corner -- the switch is a toggle -- double tap for on, repeat for off.
• This setting works on a "per session" basis.

 

Disable TouchPad

You can select to disable the TouchPad

WARNING: You should consider that permanently switching off the TouchPad can have side effects – that is, if you must have an external, working mouse connected:  Shutting off the TouchPad could leave you stranded with only the on screen keyboard to manipulate your cursor and that assumes you can get to the on screen keyboard without any cursor control. 

NOTE that there is also a setting in the same window (Top Left Action) that lets you shut off the TouchPad for one session -- this is considered a bit safer; you do have to reboot the system to again enable the TouchPad functionality.

Windows key + X > P (opens the Control Panel)  > Mouse > Select Tab TouchPad / ClickPad Settings >

Make sure that "Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached" is UNCHECKED >

TouchPad Settings > Tapping >  Under "Top Left Action" > SELECT Switch TouchPad Off

 

Disable TouchPad ONLY when external Mouse is connected

Windows key + X > P (opens the Control Panel)  > Mouse > Select Tab TouchPad / ClickPad Settings >

CHECK "Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached" UNCHECKED > OK

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Fix a Disabled / Not working TouchPad:

The TouchPad / MousePad may just be disabled or it could be "stuck".

First, Try a Power Reset in case it is "stuck":

Forced Power Reset

Performing a Hard Reset or Forced Reset

The Power Reset cannot tell the difference between drivers - it does not analyze a driver before applying it.  It assumes all the drivers on your computer belong there.

This is a Driver Reset; this is NOT the Windows 8 Reset that installs the Operating System.  This procedure does not wipe out your files nor does it destroy your Windows setup in any way.

EXAMPLE:

• If the driver software on disk is incorrect or if the driver software is corrupt, it will still be incorrect or corrupted after the Reset.
• If the driver INSTRUCTIONS are tangled, messed up, or there are bits missing from those instructions, then the Reset may fix the problem.

Why a Power Reset works to fix some issues: 

The Power Reset does not install anything on your computer, the Power / Hard Reset does not remove programs or personal data from your computer, and the Power Reset does not change the settings on your computer.  Your data and programs remain as they were before the reset was applied.  The Reset drains out the old program instructions from the memory and forces the computer go to the on disk Operating System to get new instructions.

Why a Power Reset might Not Work:

If the issue is more than just entanglement, if the "good instructions" on the computer are not good enough -- that is, you need an update, a new driver, or there is a problem that cannot be "untangled", then the Reset will not work.

If there is a hardware problem the Power Reset will not work.

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You best served with an external mouse for the next part.

If the TouchPad has become disabled, in most cases you can enable it.

There are two main ways in which a TouchPad is Disabled / Enabled.

• TouchPad can be Disabled /Enabled  while an external mouse is connected

Windows key + X > P > Mouse > Tab TouchPad /ClickPad Settings >

(UN)CHECK "Disable internal pointing device when external USB pointing device is attached"

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• TouchPad can be Disabled / Enabled within the TouchPad Settings

Windows key + X > P > Mouse >Tab TouchPad /ClickPad Settings > TouchPad Settings >

Tapping > Click on "Spikey wheel" >

in "Top Left Action"(UN)CHECK  "Switch TouchPad off"

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                                                   Dragon Tips

Consider making a complete Custom Image made before you make changes on your Windows 8 computer:

Custom Refresh Image Option

• The nice thing about a Custom Image is that it is “customized” to your installed programs.  Most of us tweak and change our computers after we set them up the first time; one of the main changes many of us make is to add our favorite programs.  The Custom Refresh Image allows you to keep those programs when you decide to use the Refresh option on your Windows 8 Computer.
• Make sure you place the Custom Refresh Image somewhere you can reach it if the computer does not boot, for example, an external disk or USB flash drive.

How to reinstall Windows 8 without losing your files and programs

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Good Luck!

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