Zorin OS 16 trackpad gestures do not work

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#32

I also have HP EliteBook 8470p (not my main).
But I've never tried multi gesture on this one.
Trackpad is too small for may taste.

[edit]
I installed Touche to this HP just to test it out for you.
You are right.
The multitouch is not working on this built in trackpad.

#33

Some more research:

Ubuntu 18.4 comes with libinput touchpad driver by default and the OS is missing Synaptics touchpad driver.

At least this explains why this trackpad in Elitebook does not work OOB with Touche.

#34

So there is a problem with the synaptics driver on my device? Or isn't it installed or is my device not compatible?

#35

Touche requires libinput.
You have Synaptic. so it is incompatible.
But if you follow the above linked tutorial, it seems limited gestures could be implemented.

What do you see with the command below?
xinput list

#36

For now I can't check that. I will do this tomorrow.

#37

This is a line of the output. (nealry): "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad".
Is the touchpad itself incompatible or could I use libinput drivers? I think it's because of the trackpad itself.

#38

I need to see the entire output.
Can you copy and paste it here?

#39
⎡ Virtual core pointer id=2 [master pointer (3)]
⎜ ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer id=4 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Logitech Wireless Keyboard PID:4023 id=14 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Compx 2.4G Wireless Receiver Consumer Control id=12 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ HanWang Tablet Mouse id=9 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ PS/2 Generic Mouse id=18 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad id=19 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Compx 2.4G Wireless Receiver id=10 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ Logitech Wireless Mouse id=15 [slave pointer (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard id=3 [master keyboard (2)]
↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard id=5 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Video Bus id=7 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Compx 2.4G Wireless Receiver System Control id=13 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ HP WMI hotkeys id=21 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Logitech Wireless Keyboard PID:4023 id=23 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Compx 2.4G Wireless Receiver Consumer Control id=22 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Compx 2.4G Wireless Receiver Keyboard id=11 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ HP HD Webcam [Fixed]: HP HD Web id=16 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ HP Wireless hotkeys id=20 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard id=17 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Sleep Button id=8 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Power Button id=6 [slave keyboard (3)]
#40

Can you issue this command in terminal?

sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-synaptics

and paste output here.

#41

It was installed. What now?

#42

Ah, OK.
So you do have a driver.

If you need a multi-touch with Synaptics, this is what I used to use before switching to Zorin and Touche:

You have to compile it from source but the end result is almost the same as Touche without GUI.

#43

But will it work?

#44

I only used it in Mint Linux (Cinnamon and XFCE desktops).
It worked quite well in Mint.
But I do not have any experience using it in Zorin (GNOME).

I wonder if you are better off using XFCE desktop rather than GNOME for ease of customization.

I will ask @Aravisian's opinion.

#45

I am actually more the GNOME user.

#46

If you are happy with its default settings GNOME is a great desktop.
Problem arises when you want to deviate from the default. I use my GNOME almost as is. I use this hardware setup and can run multiple OSs without a need for dual/multi-boot.

If I want to do a heavy customization, I go for XFCE desktop, not GNOME.

#47

It should work the same on either Gnome or XFCE.

#48

I have almost the same laptop and confirmed that Touche does not work in GNOME desktop.

#49

I think it's because of the touchpad itself.

#50

I am now more inclined to think that way.

#51

Which way?