MSI Wind Touchpad Mods - Sentelic becomes Synaptics like magic and Single Bar Mouse Button gets split

Dammit, my inertia to post due to my slow internet has meant that Engadget and Wired has got the better of me on a story that I had spotted on my stomping grounds, the MSI Wind Forums.

MSI Wind users saddled with the terribly sub-par Sentelic (not Sentilic Engadge!) touchpads instead of the more commonly used and clearly better Synaptics touchpads are now in for a fix. Many users have wondered whether a software update would solve their woes but as the old saying goes unfortunately you can't polish a turd, and Sentelic touchpads are of the turdiest hardware variety.

Along comes cptskippy from the MSI Wind Forums who took the initiative of checking out an MSI Wind parts sheet and spotted that the trackpad item had the same SKU as the Synaptics model rather than the Sentelic. The long and the short of it is he was able to order the part (from Asus surprisingly) for only USD8 plus USD5 shipping - hardly the huge cost saver for MSI that people thought was the motive behind this OEM part switch. Find out how to do the mod after the break, and also how to turn your single bar mouse button... into two. Who said they don't believe in magic this Christmas season?

Using the MSI Wind parts guide (download PDF) and referencing part #TM61PUZG336 (The Synaptics Pad), consumers can order a replacement pad from wherever they can find, but the user cptskippy found the part through Asus. The link to Asus Europe is here, and Asus USA here, and the prices vary between the two sites. Those who have had the misfortune of using the Sentelic touchpad however, will tell you price is no object! Unfortunately, I think that availability might be weaning given the popularity of this mod but keep your eyes peeled.

Once procurement is complete you need to open the MSI Wind up, and pry loose the old touchpad to replace with the new one. This from the forums:

"The tricky part is removing the sentelic pad as they are glued to the case. Gently work it loose with a plastic knife ( and maybe a tiny bit of hot air / drop of isopropyl alcohol ) instead of trying to pry it off by hand. You may also need a piece of vinyl tape to replicate the one on the sentelic when you put on the foil grounding tape. The foil tape should only make contact with one square spot on the PCB. Also remember to remove the keyboard from the top before opening up the bottom."

Below is a pic comparing the two touchpads - kiss goodbye to your Blue piece of junk - may I suggest a new bullseye for your dartboard? Oh and if anyone can find it in their heart to donate a Synaptics Touchpad to EV for Christmas we'll be sure to put them on our nice list! Apparently the US Asus site won't ship to Australia!

Mouse Button Split

Another related and recent mod splits the single button mousebar into two separate buttons for distinct left/right click zones. The original forum thread is here but I have posted the guide below for your reference with pics.

1) Take apart button and cut it in half ( I used an exacto blade, then used a small saw)

2) Find a spring that will fit in the hole where the center peg will work

3) Cut spring in half. I used a spring from a click BIC pen. You want one end to have an 2-3 exposed springs, while the other end has the flat end.

4) Using an exacto blade CAREFULLY start removing plastic on the center peg so that you can push the spring on. This is the hardest step. You need to cut enough plastic so that the spring + peg will be able to go through the hole, but at the same time not enough material so that the spring falls off.

5) Once you have the spring on the central peg test it out. IF it works you are almost there

6) Using an exacto blade cut the soft foam in half, and install one half on each side of the central spring.