Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu 8.04.4 LTS

Hardy desktop support is EOL as of May 12, 2011. I suggest you upgrade to at least Lucid (You can do this in a single jump.

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.

Hi.
Thanks for the response.But I still do need more details like how this can be done.
Can you guide me with the procedure.All I need is to get my mouse & pointer working in good order.Sorry for the trouble but like I mentioned I am no computer geek and need simple guided instructions to go about it.Appreciate if you can send me an individual personal email answer to my problem.

Best regards.
Asoka

You should be able to update from Hardy to Lucid in the Update Manager. If your mouse freezes up during the update, you can operate the Update Manager with the keyboard. (Tab to move from one graphical user interface element to another, up and down arrow keys to move in a list, spacebar to click a button that is selected, enter to perform the default action for whatever graphical user interface element is selected, Alt+Tab to switch between application windows, Alt+F4 to quit an application. It's easier to do than it is to describe.)

You can also update in the Terminal, if you prefer. To do this, open a Terminal window (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

sudo apt-get update

Followed by:

sudo apt-get upgrade

Followed by:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Followed by:

sudo do-release-upgrade

(It's the last of these commands that actually performs the upgrade--the others bring you up to date for Hardy, before updating to Lucid. Just running the last of these commands would probably work, but it's a better idea to run all four.)

HI Elliah.
Many thanks for the emailed guidance.As i was downloading the upgrades, as expected the mouse froze up after sometime and the change to the keypad via 'tab' key( to move
from graphical interface element to another) did not work either.Nothing happened when I pressed the 'Tab" key.
Running the 'given commands'( sudo apt-get update) from the terminal window as the second option also failed.It showed 'Bad command' in the terminal window.
Anyway when the mouse freezes, if I shut down & restart again,I can work for sometime till the next freeze.So I continued like this and was able to download  426 updates.
But I cannot install them.When I click install, a message appears:
Download interrupted,Manually run.E:' dpkg--configure-a' (to correct the problem).
                                                   E: cache->open( ) Failed,to report.
Nothing happened when I typed 'dpkg- configure-a'.
I am at a loss here.I don't know what to do now. Can  you give me some advise/guidance/
Looking forward to a favorable response.
Best Regards.
Asoka

--- On Mon, 18/7/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Monday, 18 July, 2011, 13:16

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Answered

Eliah Kagan proposed the following answer:
You should be able to update from Hardy to Lucid in the Update Manager.
If your mouse freezes up during the update, you can operate the Update
Manager with the keyboard. (Tab to move from one graphical user
interface element to another, up and down arrow keys to move in a list,
spacebar to click a button that is selected, enter to perform the
default action for whatever graphical user interface element is
selected, Alt+Tab to switch between application windows, Alt+F4 to quit
an application. It's easier to do than it is to describe.)

You can also update in the Terminal, if you prefer. To do this, open a
Terminal window (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

sudo apt-get update

Followed by:

sudo apt-get upgrade

Followed by:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Followed by:

sudo do-release-upgrade

(It's the last of these commands that actually performs the upgrade--the
others bring you up to date for Hardy, before updating to Lucid. Just
running the last of these commands would probably work, but it's a
better idea to run all four.)

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+confirm?answer_id=3

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

"Nothing happened when I typed 'dpkg- configure-a'."

I need to see all the text from the Terminal. If you've closed the Terminal, then open a new Terminal window, run the command again, and press enter. Please note that you need to run this as root, so you must prefix it with "sudo ", and also, that you typed the command incorrectly here (so maybe you also typed it incorrectly into the Terminal). The command you need to run is:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

You can copy and paste it to avoid typos.

After fixing the problem, run:

sudo do-release-upgrade

That should (try to) finish up the upgrade.

Hi Eliah.I am afraid I closed the terminal window and sorry there is no text now to send you.I guess I must have made  typing errors  in the command line.I opened a terminal window - (ctr+alt+T)and fed in the commands as per yr instructions,and wow it worked.Its all updated and the final message was:' no new releases found'.I do really appreciate your help in this matter and I think I should be able to manage now.By the way , the mouse got stuck once again at the start but when I re started/- now it is ok so far.I will get back to you if it gets stuck/freezes again.I have another old lap/Compaq EVO N 400c with an old version of Ubuntu installed with the same problem.I mean the pointer and  mouse does not work at all.They are stuck/unmovable from the start?I will try yr instructions on this laptop also and will get back to you with the results.Once again 'Many Thanks' and with every good wish.
Asoka

--- On Fri, 22/7/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Friday, 22 July, 2011, 0:05

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Answered

Eliah Kagan proposed the following answer:
"Nothing happened when I typed 'dpkg- configure-a'."

I need to see all the text from the Terminal. If you've closed the
Terminal, then open a new Terminal window, run the command again, and
press enter. Please note that you need to run this as root, so you must
prefix it with "sudo ", and also, that you typed the command incorrectly
here (so maybe you also typed it incorrectly into the Terminal). The
command you need to run is:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

You can copy and paste it to avoid typos.

After fixing the problem, run:

sudo do-release-upgrade

That should (try to) finish up the upgrade.

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+confirm?answer_id=5

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

You can verify that the upgrade has completed successfully by rebooting (if you haven't already since the upgrade) and then running:

lsb_release -a

That will tell you details about the OS version you are currently running. It should be 10.04 LTS. The codename is lucid (it's Lucid Lynx).

When you figure out whether or not you still experience the problem after rebooting, please post a reply here. That is (obviously) relevant to the problem on your Toshiba Tecra M3 laptop (as that's the computer whose system you just upgraded), but whether or not upgrading fixes this problem is also relevant to figuring out the problem on the Compaq EVO N 400c.

You should update the OS on the Compaq EVO N 400c too, if it's running a desktop Ubuntu system prior to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx. You can do that from the command-line--since updating in the Update Manager didn't initially work so well on the first machine--by issuing the following commands (if one command fails and gives you an error, you should not continue with the subsequent command):

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get do-release-upgrade

When you reply, please let me know (for both of these machines) whether this is happening with a USB mouse, or with the built-in trackpad. If it's happening with an external mouse, then the mouse might be to blame, and you should try a different external mouse (preferable of a different model).

Hi Eliah.Sorry to bother you again,but the problem apparently is still there, but not so regular.The touch pad & the external mouse both freezes after a gap of 1/2 hour or a little morethan 1/2 an hour.Sometimes immediately when I open a new application or programme.As per yr advise I used a different mouse but the result was the same.It too froze.A friend of mine says its
 the free software/Ububtu, and wants me to try a windows o/s. what do you advise?
I would like to stick with Ubuntu because windows o/s are expensive.
I have given the evo n400c to a friend of mine to fix a cd rom as the the one already there isis defective.I inserted the Ubuntu CD to install the o/s a fresh and got stuck and later found out the dvd rom in the machine has packed up.Will try what you have suggested when I get the machine back.Awaiting a response from you.Regards.Asoka
--- On Fri, 22/7/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Friday, 22 July, 2011, 13:56

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Answered

Eliah Kagan proposed the following answer:
You can verify that the upgrade has completed successfully by rebooting
(if you haven't already since the upgrade) and then running:

lsb_release -a

That will tell you details about the OS version you are currently
running. It should be 10.04 LTS. The codename is lucid (it's Lucid
Lynx).

When you figure out whether or not you still experience the problem
after rebooting, please post a reply here. That is (obviously) relevant
to the problem on your Toshiba Tecra M3 laptop (as that's the computer
whose system you just upgraded), but whether or not upgrading fixes this
problem is also relevant to figuring out
 the problem on the Compaq EVO N
400c.

You should update the OS on the Compaq EVO N 400c too, if it's running a
desktop Ubuntu system prior to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx. You can do
that from the command-line--since updating in the Update Manager didn't
initially work so well on the first machine--by issuing the following
commands (if one command fails and gives you an error, you should not
continue with the subsequent command):

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get do-release-upgrade

When you reply, please let me know (for both of these machines) whether
this is happening with a USB mouse, or with the built-in trackpad. If
it's happening with an external mouse, then the mouse might be to blame,
and you should try a different external mouse (preferable of a different
model).

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to
 let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+confirm?answer_id=7

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

--- On Wed, 3/8/11, Asoka Wikramanayake <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Asoka Wikramanayake <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Wednesday, 3 August, 2011, 16:36

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Answered => Open

You are still having a problem:
Hi Eliah.Sorry to bother you again,but the problem apparently is still there, but not so regular.The touch pad & the external mouse both freezes after a gap of 1/2 hour or a little morethan 1/2 an hour.Sometimes immediately when I open a new application or programme.As per yr advise I used a different mouse but the result was the same.It too froze.A friend of mine says its
 the free software/Ububtu, and wants me to try a windows o/s. what do you advise?
I would like to stick with Ubuntu because windows o/s are expensive.
I have given the evo n400c to a friend of mine to fix a cd rom as the the one already there isis defective.I inserted the Ubuntu CD to install the o/s a fresh and got stuck and later found out the dvd rom in the machine has packed up.Will try what you have suggested when I get the machine back.Awaiting a response from you.Regards.Asoka
--- On Fri, 22/7/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Friday, 22 July, 2011, 13:56

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Answered

Eliah Kagan proposed the following answer:
You can verify that the upgrade has completed successfully by rebooting
(if you haven't already since the upgrade) and then running:

lsb_release -a

That will tell you details about the OS version you are currently
running. It should be 10.04 LTS. The codename is lucid (it's Lucid
Lynx).

When you figure out whether or not you still experience the problem
after rebooting, please post a reply here. That is (obviously) relevant
to the problem on your Toshiba Tecra M3 laptop (as that's the computer
whose system you just upgraded), but whether or not upgrading fixes this
problem is also relevant to figuring out
 the problem on the Compaq EVO N
400c.

You should update the OS on the Compaq EVO N 400c too, if it's running a
desktop Ubuntu system prior to Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx. You can do
that from the command-line--since updating in the Update Manager didn't
initially work so well on the first machine--by issuing the following
commands (if one command fails and gives you an error, you should not
continue with the subsequent command):

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get do-release-upgrade

When you reply, please let me know (for both of these machines) whether
this is happening with a USB mouse, or with the built-in trackpad. If
it's happening with an external mouse, then the mouse might be to blame,
and you should try a different external mouse (preferable of a different
model).

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to
 let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+confirm?answer_id=7

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.

Hi.The problem is still there as before.Awaiting a solution.Regards.Asoka.

--- On Tue, 23/8/11, Launchpad Janitor <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Launchpad Janitor <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Tuesday, 23 August, 2011, 14:26

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Expired

Launchpad Janitor expired the question:
This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state
without activity for the last 15 days.

--
If you're still having this problem, you can reopen your question either
by replying to this email or by going to the following page and
entering more information about your problem:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Hello Asoka,
These instructions may help you to upgrade your machine: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LucidUpgrades#Upgrade%20from%208.04%20LTS%20to%2010.04%20LTS

Hi Ahamed.
Tkns for the advice.but I already have upgraded to Lucid 10.04lts, and the freezing problem(Mouse & Touch pad pointer) still exists.Maybe its another kind of fault or
some hardware defect?
Hope you may be able to give me some solution.
Regards.
Asoka.

--- On Tue, 30/8/11, Ahmed Shams <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Ahmed Shams <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Tuesday, 30 August, 2011, 14:55

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Answered

Ahmed Shams proposed the following answer:
Hello Asoka,
These instructions may help you to upgrade your machine: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LucidUpgrades#Upgrade%20from%208.04%20LTS%20to%2010.04%20LTS

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+confirm?answer_id=12

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

What is the output of this command, run in the Terminal?

uname -a

Hi Eliah.
Typed in the command you had given in the terminal.
It says bad command??
advice?
Asoka

--- On Sun, 4/9/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Sunday, 4 September, 2011, 20:20

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Needs information

Eliah Kagan requested more information:
What is the output of this command, run in the Terminal?

uname -a

--
To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
this email or enter your reply at the following page:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

There is a space between "uname" and "-a".

Hi Eliah.

H/W copied below what came up when I entered yr command in the terminal.
Hoping to hear from you with further guides.
Regards.
Asoka

etec@etec-laptop:~$ uname -a
Linux etec-laptop 2.6.32-33-generic #72-Ubuntu SMP Fri Jul 29 21:08:37 UTC 2011 i686 GNU/Linux
etec@etec-laptop:~$

--- On Tue, 6/9/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Tuesday, 6 September, 2011, 14:41

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

    Status: Open => Needs information

Eliah Kagan requested more information:
There is a space between "uname" and "-a".

--
To answer this request for more information, you can either reply to
this email or enter your reply at the following page:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

You received this question notification because you asked the question.

That output confirms that you are running the upgraded (i.e. Lucid) kernel, and still have the problem with that. I'm not sure what is best to do next; hopefully others will have a good idea.

Asoka, please file a bug report by using:
ubuntu-bug xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

Then, use the Link existing bug button[1] to link the bug with this question.
If you want, you can also try to upgrade to Maverick then Natty and see if the issue still happens.

[1]: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093/+linkbug

Before reporting this as a bug, please also read https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs carefully if you have not done so already.

Hi Eliah.Thanks.I took yr advice & logged onto the bug reporting site given by you.Gosh- its all confusing.So i will just leave it and upgrade to Natty or maverick and see if the problem still prevails. Thanks a heap for all the trouble you went through to help me.Take care. Best Regards.Asoka.

--- On Thu, 8/9/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Thursday, 8 September, 2011, 1:55

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

Eliah Kagan posted a new comment:
Before reporting this as a bug, please also read
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs carefully if you have
not done so already.

--
You received this question notification because you asked the question.

If you tell us what's confusing, we may be able to help.

Hi Faria.
I upgraded to 11.04(Natty) as suggested y you.it took a while to install.About 10 hrs.But i am happy to say that the problem has ceased.So far so good.i am keeping my fingers crossed.
Thanks.Will get back to you if something crops up.
Best Regards.

--- On Wed, 7/9/11, Sérgio Faria <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Sérgio Faria <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Wednesday, 7 September, 2011, 23:15

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

Sérgio Faria posted a new comment:
Asoka, please file a bug report by using:
ubuntu-bug xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

Then, use the Link existing bug button[1] to link the bug with this question.
If you want, you can also try to upgrade to Maverick then Natty and see if the issue still happens.

[1]: https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-
synaptics/+question/165093/+linkbug

--
You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Hi Eliah.
I upgraded the system to 11.04 (Natty) as suggested by Ms.Faria, and it worked.
So far its OK.However it took a while to install.About 10 hrs or more.Maybe my system is slow.The fastest transfer rate was about 60.kbs.Dropped to 39-45 50.kbs,and so on.
Anyway its OK up to now.Just thought of informing you as you were guiding me right from the start.
One  more problem has cropped up.I cannot get wireless access.The wireless icon shows
enable networking and enable wireless (Ticked).
The connection tab shows "error displaying connection info" and"no valid connection found" "No signal strength is shown in the icon as well.
Any clues/advice.?
I have linksys wireless-G ADSL home gateway router/model Wag200G(UK)
Best Regards.
Asoka

--- On Thu, 8/9/11, Eliah Kagan <email address hidden> wrote:

From: Eliah Kagan <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #165093]: Mouse & pointer freezes in Ubuntu
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Thursday, 8 September, 2011, 10:05

Your question #165093 on xserver-xorg-input-synaptics in Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-input-synaptics/+question/165093

Eliah Kagan posted a new comment:
If you tell us what's confusing, we may be able to help.

--
You received this question notification because you asked the question.

Eliah.
Thanks.
Mouse pointer problem is solved.

wow this is pretty crazy you should check this out http://www.twonews15.net/biz/?page=6290065