V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r

Q: A NEW TRACKPAD DRIVER IS OUT

I've got a good news for Macbook Pro / Air owners: a new multitouch trackpad driver for Windows 7 is out.

This driver (codenamed 'Trackpad++') neither contains, nor modifies the original Apple code.
However, it relies on Apple drivers stack for raw hardware access, that's why Boot Camp 3.1 shall be installed first.

Features of the Trackpad++ driver (vs. Boot Camp 3.1 driver):

1. Improved pointer ballistics (pointer movement can be very slow or very fast, depending on the finger speed);

2. Dramatically improved two-finger scrolling experience: Mac OS X-similar (accelerated) scrolling model implemented;

3. Elimination of the most annoying Windows issue of Apple Multitouch Trackpad, i.e. false detection of drag'n'drop actions;

4. Trackpad++ Control Module for adjusting the Trackpad settings.

Supported Macbook Pro generations: Early 2008, Late 2008, Early 2009, Mid 2009;
Supported Macbook Air generations: all generations;
Supported Windows versions: Windows 7 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit (Boot Camp 3.1 shall be installed first).

You may visit http://trackpad.powerplan7.com for details.

Just by the way: there was an extensive beta-testing phase, and a lot of volunteers have tried Trackpad++ already, so I can assure You that the driver is rock-stable.

P.S. I wrote this driver. My another project is Power Plan Assistant - a popular utility for Boot Camp-enabled Macbook Pro and Air notebooks.

Cheers, and enjoy Trackpad++, something Apple definitely have had to implement a while ago... but I know and You know - it never would...

Posted on May 21, 2010 1:05 AM

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Q: A NEW TRACKPAD DRIVER IS OUT

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  • by BenoPeters,

    BenoPeters BenoPeters Sep 29, 2010 4:43 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 29, 2010 4:43 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Hey mate

    Thanks for the program, works great for saving power.
    Listen I have just installed windows 7 in the past few weeks, and have not been able to get the Trackpad++ driver to install.
    I followed all the steps, including downloading it, but once I right click on the mouse to update the driver, and find the driver, it says that windows has determined that the latest driver is already installed and wont even let me install it.

    Any help would be great.
    Thanks
  • by PeterPenrose,

    PeterPenrose PeterPenrose Sep 30, 2010 2:43 AM in response to BenoPeters
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 30, 2010 2:43 AM in response to BenoPeters
    Just follow the following steps, as described on the webpage. Maybe you have missed step 8!?

    6. In a context menu which should have arrived, click 'Update Driver Software'.
    7. In a window which appeared, click 'Browse my computer for driver software'.
    8. Now click 'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer'.
    9. Now click 'Have Disk...' button.
    10. In a smaller window which arrived, click 'Browse...' button.

    Regards
    Peter
  • by PeterPenrose,

    PeterPenrose PeterPenrose Sep 30, 2010 3:02 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 30, 2010 3:02 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Hello everyone, and a special hello to you Vladimir.

    First of all, thank you for putting so much effort in the development of a new Trackpad-driver for Windows 7. Because the default driver shows a quite strange (and faulty) behaviour, I decided to give the Trackpad++-driver now a try.

    Unfortunately, desperately needed functions are still not possible with it.

    1) It is still not possible to select multiple files (e.g. in file-explorer) and then drag and drop them just by tapping. I wonder why? Whenever I try this, my selection is gone and I just can drag one single file... quite annoying. (On any other trackpad, and even under Mac OS X this works fine!)

    2) Why do users have to wait half a second after double-tapping, until they are allowed to drag the desired object (e.g. a window)? This too works fine under Mac OS X (although you have to wait after releasing your finger)... Many windows users would highly apperciate a trackpad-driver with which it would be possible to get rid of this senseless and timeconsuming 'feature' (or bug).

    If someone here has a solution to my problems I would be very thankful if she/he would share it.

    Maybe you Vladimir could solve this problem... I would be glad to be the first who would donate for a new release, which eliminates these issues!

    Kind regards and thank you for all you have done and hopefully will do
    Peter.
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Oct 6, 2010 2:47 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Oct 6, 2010 2:47 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Dear Peter, you are right, these two issues do exist.

    In fact, in upcoming Trackpad++ releases, I would probably escape from the tap-style dragging at all (while keeping tap-to-click enabled).
    No enforcements, the users will still be able to enable tap-style dragging, but it will no more be recommended.

    Let me explain why the mentioned issues are there.

    To restate, the Trackpad++ driver neither contains, nor modifies the original Apple code.
    However, it relies on Apple drivers stack for raw hardware access, that's why Boot Camp 3.1 shall be installed first.

    What does it mean? Please let me explain.

    Yes, Trackpad++ features completely rewritten, OS X-like, accelerated scrolling model, as well as completely revised pointer ballistics equations. It also contains the so-highly-anticipated, yet not implemented in Boot Camp, feature 'Ignore Accidental Input When Typing' (at your choice, either the accidental left-click actions or entire trackpad input can be ignored as you type).

    However, Trackpad++ cannot remove a few Boot Camp defects, like the delay after double-tapping, because those are coded (on purpose, I believe) in the Apple drivers stack, the one which Trackpad++ relies on in order to access the Trackpad hardware. And in order to remove this driver, it is required to rewrite entire Apple HID driver stack... This is it. I would really wish to complete this in the future, however, this task requires UNBELIEVABLE amounts of time and effort.

    P.S. Magic Trackpad support and a new features are coming this Winter. Please feel free to support the project by donating, this is so highly appreciated...
  • by Oshalla,

    Oshalla Oshalla Oct 7, 2010 7:31 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 7, 2010 7:31 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    The trackpad is driving me mad... the mouse keeps jumping around when I'm typing and I am constantly having to stop, undo the damage and backtrack. It's a lovely machine, but I really feel I have wasted my money

    So... Trackpad++ seemed like the answer to a maiden's prayer (and mine).

    But... I don't know if I want Power Plan Assistant for Windows 7...

    ... which won't in any case run on my machine because I use 125% DPI (I cannot read 100% DPD !)...

    ... and what is it sending to 204.232.180.209 ? And why ?

    <sigh>

    Chris
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Oct 8, 2010 1:31 AM in response to Oshalla
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Oct 8, 2010 1:31 AM in response to Oshalla
    Yes, Power Plan Assistant can be installed with DPI=100% only...

    However, after the installation you can alter the DPI to 125% or 150%.

    Furthermore, you can uninstall Power Plan Assistant later if you wish.

    But you have to install it once, otherwise Windows 7 will not allow the installation of Trackpad++ driver. Because it is not digitally signed.

    Alternatively, you can run a following tool to allow the installation of the unsigned drivers: http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=dseo

    Regarding your second question:

    I guess, you haven't read the End-user License Agreement. As it is very clearly indicated in the End-user License Agreement, Power Plan Assistant's installer uses an OpenCandy technology (see http://www.opencandy.com)

    OpenCandy network is in fact used by Kaspersky, Bing, WinSCP, SnagIt and many other software publishers all around the world.
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Oct 14, 2010 12:14 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Oct 14, 2010 12:14 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    It seems like not much screen shots of the Trackpad++ Control Module are available over the internet yet. Let me provide one:

    http://trackpad.powerplan7.com/trackpadplusplus.jpg

    This is a screen capture of a new version (1.3a)

    This is a highly recommended update, packed with new features.

    So, I would recommend all the users to upgrade!

    Note: please, do not forget to update Trackpad++ Driver first, and only then the Trackpad++ Control Module. As always, the version of the Driver shall match the version of the Control Module.
  • by FrederiQ,

    FrederiQ FrederiQ Oct 25, 2010 6:28 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 25, 2010 6:28 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Vladimir,

    The new version is amazing. Thanks a ton, man. Tap to click finally brings no delays, and "2x on drag" thing is something Apple should have offered in OS X! Hey Apple, go hire Vladimir and let him made even better stuff for us

    K.R.,
    Fred
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Nov 11, 2010 11:44 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Nov 11, 2010 11:44 PM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Thank you very much.

    Well, I also do miss the Trackpad++ "2x on Drag" feature in Mac OS X.

    I believe this is something great for non-tap-style dragging, something that makes it really easy. With this feature enabled, there is no need to spread fingers like an octopus when dragging...
  • by schrady,

    schrady schrady Nov 19, 2010 9:07 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2010 9:07 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Ok Vlad. I followed your installation step by step. It seems your control module is CORRUPT from the tech-connect download center. When I go to install it, I keep getting an 'unpacking setup' error.

    Yes, I have all version 1.3 and yes, I installed power plan first. Then the correct mouse driver. Your program does not work right now,

    You should fix it so the download is not corrupt. I have tried using 3 different browsers and 2 machines. It is definitely bad.

    Schrady
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Nov 19, 2010 11:51 PM in response to schrady
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Nov 19, 2010 11:51 PM in response to schrady
    Fixed now. And verified. Thank you very much for the note.

    Not my fault, by the way. That was a temporary defect in the TechSpot's file uploader.

    Hey all, does anyone feel like the "2x on drag" feature (which is very helpful when tap-style dragging is disabled, and this is the default setting in the latest release) needs to be tweaked further?

    For instance, slower/faster?
  • by johnwalkr,

    johnwalkr johnwalkr Nov 28, 2010 11:29 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2010 11:29 PM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Is it possible to add the ability to disable scrolling? My 3D CAD software in Windows has its own multitouch gestures, but they don't work on my MacBook Pro. When I try to use them, the "zoom" function activates. The zoom function is tied to scrolling and can't be changed. I suspect that if I can disable two-finger scrolling, then multitouch gestures will work.

    Other than that, I've been using trackpad++ and power saver, and both are great.

    Between those programs and the autohotkeys script I made to get my command key and text navigation keys back, windows isn't half bad now.

    Thanks
  • by ard978,

    ard978 ard978 Dec 5, 2010 9:33 AM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 5, 2010 9:33 AM in response to SthrnDixieCwgrl
    i'm a magic trackpad user, eagerly anticipating using this. are 3 finger swipes going to be possible? thats what i miss most from mac osx usage since alot of times scroll up/down will replicate pinch zoom functionality.

    also, i have previously had a mouse button mapped to a "close window" function. would it be possible to remap "secondary click" using bottom corner to be "close window" or anything else? would be nice since i can always right click with a two-finger tap.
  • by V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r,

    V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r Dec 16, 2010 12:52 AM in response to ard978
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Dec 16, 2010 12:52 AM in response to ard978
    To johnwalkr: Yes, it's possible to add an option to disable scrolling, but this does not mean that muti-touch gestures will not automatically start working.

    To ard978: these things are planned, however, they are not straightforward; neither is the Magic Trackpad driver replacement. So, no exact ETA can be given at a moment.
  • by schrady,

    schrady schrady Dec 18, 2010 10:16 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2010 10:16 AM in response to V-l-a-d-i-m-i-r
    Hey Vlad,

    What gives? No updated software to DL and mine keeps saying expired? Can you send me a serial # to get rid of this message please/

    Thanks
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