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HP Slate 500 N-trig Input Control (Touch) Workaround
One of my biggest complaints with the HP Slate 500 on Windows 8 is the lack of decent touch control with N-trig. N-trig has decided that they aren’t going to fix their drivers. That’s fine, this will be my last device that has N-trig digitizer. My dollars will be spent elsewhere.
So, what’s the problem you say. My problem with the N-trig drivers is the lack of support with the input control (Digitizer Settings, see screen shot below). This is what allows you to change how the touch and pen act (see picture). Pen Only, Touch Only, Auto Mode, Dual Mode.
This Input Control (Digitizer Settings) do not work in Windows 8 and N-trig is not going to fix. Shame.
So, what does this mean. Well, for me I get the palm rejection or false touches when I write and my hand (palm) touches the screen. The current setting is Dual mode, concurrent Touch and Pen input. Think of it like the touchpad on your laptop. You are typing and your palm touches the touchpad and causes the cursor to jump to a different spot on the page. On a laptop you have the touchpad control that allows you to turn off if it senses a mouse plugged in or when you are typing. Well, with N-trig, you don’t any longer on Windows 8. No workie & No fixie.
I was browsing the internet the other day and happened on a blog post where the blogger found a workaround. You will have to forgive me that I can’t find the blogger’s post or the blogger’s name. When I do, I will definitely give him/her credit.
What is this workaround going to do? This will temporarily disable the touch control on the Slate. This would be similar to selecting Pen Only above. This will allow only Pen touch only and the touch is temporarily disabled. This isn’t going to be for everybody, but for this is golden for me. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a way similarly to Auto mode.
Going to download a program that is a that when run connects to the Device Manager like view that allows you to enable and disable devices. However the steps below will create a shortcut or command line that will be used to disable the touch. You can also pin the shortcuts to the Task Bar for easy use.
STEPS:
1. Go out to www.Nirsoft.com and find a program named DevManView (direct link). At the writing of this post the current version is v1.27. Scroll down to the bottom and download the (x86) version (or x64 version for Samsung Series 7 or ASUS B121)
2. Create a directory on the root of your C Drive called TouchControl
3. Unzip the file you downloaded in Step 1 into the C:\TouchControl folder. There are 4 files that are extracted.
4. Create a shortcut in that directory using the following command.
a. Open Device Manger | Devices | N-trig DuoSense(R) Digitizers
b. Locate “N-trig DuoSense MultiTouch HID Device” and double click.
c. Click on the Events Tab. Copy the value that is highlighted in yellow. This value will be added when you create the shortcuts.
d. Open Windows Explorer, browse to the C:\TouchControl and right click in the folder and select New | Shortcut
e. Copy and paste the Disable command below into the path, but using your value that you got above.
DISABLE
C:\TouchControl\DevManView.exe /Disable “HID\VID_1B96&PID_0001&MI_01&Col02\7&24205bb2&0&0001”f. Click through and give the name of the Shortcut “Disable Touch”
g. Now Create another shortcut but use the ENABLE command below and name it “Enable Touch”, also using your value that you got above.
ENABLE
C:\TouchControl\DevManView.exe /Enable “HID\VID_1B96&PID_0001&MI_01&Col02\7&24205bb2&0&0001”
5. Add the shortcuts to the Task Bar just right click on the shortcut and select Pin to Task Manager.
6. To give it a little flair right click on the Shortcut | Properties | Change Icon, browse through the list and select an Icon that you like for Disable and Enable shortcuts. I picked the Green for the Enable and Red for the Disable.
**Please note that the device that controls touch may not be the same on your tablet. I was able to get this to work using the information below on my HP Slate 500, Samsung Series 7 Slate, and ASUS B121 eSlate but using the 64bit version of DevManView. I have not found anything about the downloaded software that would cause any alarm. It is not installing any software it is extracting several files that launch as a separate program.
EDITED (11/10/2012)
Found that the HID value is different on every computer. Updated blog post to reflect that.
Also, this does require the elevated permissions when doing so. I haven’t found a way around this. You are actually disabling a device so I don’t think there will be a workaround. I run my as a standard user and then another account that has Admin and just pop in the credentials when prompted. I have run this so long that I don’t give it a second thought.
ASUS has released Windows 8 Drivers for the EP121 and B121
Looks like ASUS released Windows 8 Drivers for the EP121 and B121 Eee Pad Slates. New BIOS update and other drivers. <10/30/2012>
ASUS B121
http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_B121/#download (stopped working)
updated:
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=Eee+Slate+B121&p=28&s=3
ASUS EP121
http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Slate_EP121/#download (stopped working)
updated:
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=Eee+Slate+EP121&p=28&s=3
You will get the following pop up about some incompatibilities.
Installing Windows 8 RTM on Asus B121 Part 2
In my previous post I installed Windows 8 RTM on the Asus B121. Now I am going to continue where we left off and install any missing drivers.
Open Device Manager to see what is missing.
1. From the new Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Desktop icon.
2. Right click on the desktop and select Personalize.
3. Click the link in the upper left named “Change desktop icons”
4. Put a check under Control Panel and click Apply and then OK.
5. Double click Control Panel
6. Click on the the Hardware and Sound link.
7. Under Devices and Printers click on Device Manager.
This is a list of the drivers that Windows is unable to find.
After connecting to my home network and configuring Windows Update these missing devices were resolved. Also note that the hardware buttons and screen rotation work great.
After the Windows Update I do see one additional missing device, as there was in the prior Windows 8 Release Preview, but installing the Asus B121 Bluetooth driver does not resolve.
Still investigating…
Other Tips and Tricks:
Be sure to disable Defrag here.
New Windows 8 Shortcut Keys here.
Who needs a Start Button here.
Installing Windows 8 RTM on Asus B121 Part 1
On August 15th Microsoft released the Windows 8 RTM (Release to Manufacturing) to the MSDN and TechNet site. You have to subscribe the site to get access. If you don’t have access you can download the EVAL version of the Windows 8 RTM which is the Enterprise edition that is good for 90 Days. I decided to run that course until it is released to the public in October.
Pre-Steps:
1. Download the Windows 8 RTM Eval 64-bit here (3.4GB).
*Note: No product key is needed however you do need to activate
2. Create a bootable USB Stick. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool here. This allows you to create a bootable USB stick with the downloaded iso file. This makes the process so easy. Click, click, walk away and boom, you have a bootable Windows 8 USB drive. I used a 8 GB USB stick that you can get for $10 at Walmart. Note: A 4 GB will work for both 32-bit and 64-bit.
Backup
1. If you feel it necessary, backup your machine. Run Windows Image Backup and take a backup of your Windows 7 system so you can restore back if you want.
Install Process
1. Plug USB into Slate and start. The Slate will automatically recognize the USB stick and boot from it. No need to get into BIOS. I am also using a USB hub so I can run USB Mouse, Keyboard, and USB Stick.
Note: If it doesn’t boot to the USB stick automatically, you will need to go into the BIOS and change it. You will need USB Keyboard and hit DEL key at boot up.
2. Go through the usual installation options. I selected fresh Install (not an upgrade). You can select an upgrade, but it looks like you won’t be able to keep your files, applications, settings. So really not worth upgrading.
3. Once complete this is the lock screen. Love the new login/start screen.
This is the new start screen.
This is the new desktop.
Look for my next post Part 2 for post OS install.
Installing Windows 8 Release Preview on Asus B121 Part 2
In my previous post I installed Windows 8 Release Preview on the Asus B121. Now I am going to continue where we left off and install any missing drivers.
Open Device Manager to see what is missing.
1. From the new Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Desktop icon.
2. Right click on the desktop and select Personalize.
3. Click the link in the upper left named “Change desktop icons”
4. Put a check under Control Panel and click Apply and then OK.
5. Double click Control Panel
6. Click on the the Hardware and Sound link.
7. Under Devices and Printers click on Device Manager.
This is a list of the drivers that Windows is unable to find.
After connecting to Windows Update this is what was left.
Missing: Bluetooth Peripheral Device
Resolve: Download the Bluetooth Driver under Utilities. Extract and Install.
Download all the Asus B121 Drivers from here.
Please note, Screen Rotation, Keyboard Button (Hardware), and the Keyboard input are still not working in Windows 8 Release Preview.
In Part 3 I will go over configuring the Volume button.
Other Tips and Tricks:
Be sure to disable Defrag here.
New Windows 8 Shortcut Keys here.
Who needs a Start Button here.
UPDATE 7/29:
A recent Windows Update enabled the Hardware Buttons and Enabled the Screen Rotation. AWESOME!!!
Installing Windows 8 Release Preview on Asus B121 Part 1
On May 31st Microsoft released the next iteration of Windows 8. This version called the Release Preview (RP). Looks like this will be the last beta of Windows 8 that will be released until the RTM in the Fall of 2012 (October-ish).
In previous post I installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview (CP) here. The installation of Windows 8 RP is identical.
Pre-Steps:
1. Download the Windows 8 Release Preview (RP) 64-bit here (3.3GB).
*Note: Be sure to grab the Product Key (located just below the download links. Key is required for installation.
2. Create a bootable USB Stick. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool here. This allows you to create a bootable USB stick with the downloaded iso file. This makes the process so easy. Click, click, walk away and boom, you have a bootable Windows 8 USB drive. I used a 8 GB USB stick that you can get for $10 at Walmart. Note: A 4 GB will work for both 32-bit and 64-bit.
Backup
1. If you feel it necessary, backup your machine. Run Windows Image Backup and take a backup of your Windows 7 system so you can restore back if you want.
Install Process
1. Plug USB into Slate and start. The Slate will automatically recognize the USB stick and boot from it. No need to get into BIOS. I am also using a USB hub so I can run USB Mouse, Keyboard, and USB Stick.
Note: If it doesn’t boot to the USB stick automatically, you will need to go into the BIOS and change it. You will need USB Keyboard and hit DEL key at boot up.
2. Go through the usual installation options. I selected fresh Install (not an upgrade). You can select an upgrade, but it looks like you won’t be able to keep your files, applications, settings. So really not worth upgrading.
Windows 8 Release Preview FAQ here.
3. Once complete this is the lock screen. Love the new login/start screen.
This is the new start screen.
Look for my next post Part 2 where I will go through getting drivers installed.
Installing Windows 8 CP on Asus B121 Part 2
In my previous post I installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview on the Asus B121. Now I am going to continue where we left off and install any missing drivers.
Open Device Manager to see what is missing.
1. From the new Windows 8 Start Screen, click on the Desktop icon.
2. Right click on the desktop and select Personalize.
3. Click the link in the upper left named “Change desktop icons”
4. Put a check under Control Panel and click Apply and then OK.
5. Double click Control Panel
6. Click on the the Hardware and Sound link.
7. Under Devices and Printers click on Device Manager.
This is a list of the drivers that Windows is unable to find.
Download all the Asus B121 Drivers from here.
Missing: Bluetooth Peripheral Device
Resolve: Download the Bluetooth Driver under Utilities. Extract and Install.
Missing: PCI Simple Communications Controller
Resolve: Connect to Windows Updates and install additional hardware. You should see two main hardware updates. This resolves your missing hardware.
Please note:
Screen Rotation is still not working.
The Keyboard Button (Hardware)
The Keyboard input
In Part 3 I will go over configuring the Volume button.
Other Tips and Tricks:
Be sure to disable Defrag here.
New Windows 8 Shortcut Keys here.
Who needs a Start Button here.
ASUS EP121 and B121 have the same exact SanDisk SSD
I was hoping to see an improvement in the SSD but the B121 is really the EP121 with a different Wireless/Bluetooth card and the TPM Chip. Other than that they look to be the same hardware.
SANDISK 64GB SSD P4
mSATA 50mm
SDSA4D4-064G
EP121 Specifications here.
B121 Specifications here.
I have upgraded to an Intel 310 80GB which has increased the performance drastically. You can buy here. A decent upgrade, but may not be worth the cost.
SANDISK 64GB SSD
Intel 310 80GB SSD
Windows Experience Index increased from a 5.9 to a 7.6
EP121
B121
Installing Windows 8 CP on Asus B121 Part 1
I had previously installed Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Asus EP121 here. Now putting it on the B121. I recently got my hands on the B121 model. It is very similar to the EP121 with the main difference the TPM Chip, Windows 7 Pro/Ult, along with some other paid features like LoJack, and a Asus cloud storage. Basically Asus is targeting this as a built for business. Pretty much identical to the EP121 so it will look the same.
Pre-Steps:
1. Download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview 64-bit here (3.3GB)
*Note: Be sure to grab the Product Key from the download page. Key is required for installation.
2. Create a bootable USB Stick. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool here. This allows you to create a bootable USB stick with the downloaded iso file. This makes the process so easy. Click, click, walk away and boom, you have a bootable Windows 8 USB drive. I used a 8 GB USB stick that you can get for $10 at Walmart. Note: A 4 GB will work for both 32-bit and 64-bit.
Backup
1. Run Windows Image Backup and take a backup of your Windows 7 system so you can restore back if you want.
Install Process
1. Plug USB into Slate and start. The Slate will automatically recognize the USB stick and boot from it. No need to get into BIOS. I am also using a USB hub so I can run USB Mouse, Keyboard, and USB Stick.
2. Go through the usual installation options. I selected fresh Install (not an upgrade).
3. Once complete this is the lock screen. Love the blue…
This is the new start screen.
In my next post (Part 2) will go through and get drivers installed and configured.
Cameron Mergel 