I have an Asus GL503VD for which the touchpad doesn't work on linux.
I tried many different distros: Arch, Debian, Ubuntu 16/17/18, Sabayon, Pop_OS, Fedora. None of them made the touchpad work so I settled with Ubuntu 18.04 and decided to debug it myself.
First of, this laptop is pretty new so it will not boot without the acpi=force GRUB parameter. Secondly, it will boot to a black-screen if the module i2c-hid is allowed to load (so I had to blacklist i2c-hid). I am pretty sure i2c-hid is the driver supposed to take care of my touchpad so this is a problem probably worth looking into. The thing is when the module is allowed to load I can't even reach a terminal with a ctrl+alt+f* combo, it's just black, nothingness.
From my Windows partition I could tell that the touchpad is an ELAN1200(not elantech). I tried loading the module hid-elan without any success. Out of desperation I also tried the synaptics module without any luck. Tried various x.org.conf.d configurations which only stopped my laptop from reaching Gnome DE. Tried using libinput, in vain.
Tried i8042.nomux=1, i8042.noloop, i8042.nopnp, i8042.kdbreset=1, i8042.reset; none of those worked. (From what I gather, my touchpad/keyboard combo might be managed by an i8042 chip; though from the xinput output it looks more like an ITE8910 is managing the combo.)
The xinput output is also what tells me the touchpad might be part of a touchpad/keyboard combo. I think the touchpad and the keyboard are one device: ITE8910
xinput output:
⎡ Virtual core pointer id=2 [master pointer (3)]
⎜ ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer id=4 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ MOSART Semi. USB Device id=12 [slave pointer (2)]
⎜ ↳ ITE Tech. Inc. ITE Device(8910) id=14 [slave pointer (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard id=3 [master keyboard (2)]
↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard id=5 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Power Button id=6 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Asus Wireless Radio Control id=7 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Video Bus id=8 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Video Bus id=9 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Power Button id=10 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Sleep Button id=11 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ USB2.0 HD UVC WebCam: USB2.0 HD id=13 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ Asus WMI hotkeys id=15 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard id=16 [slave keyboard (3)]
↳ ITE Tech. Inc. ITE Device(8910) id=17 [slave keyboard (3)]
The ouput of dmesg tells me the device is connected through USB:
[ 2.408602] usb 1-8: new full-speed USB device number 5 using xhci_hcd
[ 2.562105] usb 1-8: New USB device found, idVendor=0b05, idProduct=1869
[ 2.562106] usb 1-8: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[ 2.562107] usb 1-8: Product: ITE Device(8910)
[ 2.562108] usb 1-8: Manufacturer: ITE Tech. Inc.
If I lsusb I see the right device with vendor ID and product ID:
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0b05:1869 ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 13d3:5666 IMC Networks
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 8087:0a2b Intel Corp.
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 062a:410c Creative Labs
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Note: The Creative Labs device is an external mouse.
When I lsusb -vd 0b05:1869 I only see keyboard related descriptors:
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0b05:1869 ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 0 (Defined at Interface level)
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x0b05 ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
idProduct 0x1869
bcdDevice 0.03
iManufacturer 1 ITE Tech. Inc.
iProduct 2 ITE Device(8910)
iSerial 0
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 34
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xe0
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 3 Human Interface Device
bInterfaceSubClass 1 Boot Interface Subclass
bInterfaceProtocol 1 Keyboard
iInterface 0
HID Device Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 33
bcdHID 1.10
bCountryCode 0 Not supported
bNumDescriptors 1
bDescriptorType 34 Report
wDescriptorLength 263
Report Descriptor: (length is 263)
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x89 0xff ] 65417
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x10 ] 16
(null)
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0xa5 ] 165
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x10 ] 16
Item(Main ): Feature, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x89 0xff ] 65417
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x0f 0xff ] 65295
(null)
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x05 ] 5
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff ] 255
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x06 ] 6
Data Variable Relative No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Generic Desktop Controls
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x06 ] 6
Keyboard
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x07 ] 7
Keyboard
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0xe0 ] 224
Control Left
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xe7 ] 231
GUI Right
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x02 ] 2
Data Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x03 ] 3
Constant Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x05 ] 5
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
LEDs
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
NumLock
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0x05 ] 5
Kana
Item(Main ): Output, data= [ 0x02 ] 2
Data Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x03 ] 3
Item(Main ): Output, data= [ 0x03 ] 3
Constant Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x07 ] 7
Keyboard
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
No Event
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x06 ] 6
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x07 ] 7
Keyboard
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
No Event
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xdf ] 223
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0xe0 ] 224
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x02 ] 2
Data Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x31 0xff ] 65329
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x76 ] 118
(null)
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x5a ] 90
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x10 ] 16
Item(Main ): Feature, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x31 0xff ] 65329
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x79 ] 121
(null)
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x5d ] 93
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x05 ] 5
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
(null)
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
(null)
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0xff 0x00 ] 255
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x10 ] 16
Item(Main ): Feature, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x0c ] 12
Consumer
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Consumer Control
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x02 ] 2
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Unassigned
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0x3c 0x02 ] 572
AC Format
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0x3c 0x02 ] 572
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x10 ] 16
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Data Array Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Item(Global): Usage Page, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Generic Desktop Controls
Item(Local ): Usage, data= [ 0x80 ] 128
System Control
Item(Main ): Collection, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Application
Item(Global): Report ID, data= [ 0x04 ] 4
Item(Local ): Usage Minimum, data= [ 0x81 ] 129
System Power Down
Item(Local ): Usage Maximum, data= [ 0x83 ] 131
System Wake Up
Item(Global): Logical Minimum, data= [ 0x00 ] 0
Item(Global): Logical Maximum, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Global): Report Count, data= [ 0x08 ] 8
Item(Global): Report Size, data= [ 0x01 ] 1
Item(Main ): Input, data= [ 0x02 ] 2
Data Variable Absolute No_Wrap Linear
Preferred_State No_Null_Position Non_Volatile Bitfield
Item(Main ): End Collection, data=none
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 4
Device Status: 0x0001
Self Powered
This tells me the touchpad side of things is not available to me right now. I can't even see it.
So here are my questions: Why can't I see the touchpad? What can I do to find it and start reverse engineering its driver?