wacom tablet on hardy

You need to do the following:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Enter the password and then edit the file that opens. Scroll down to the end of the file and find the following lines:

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
# InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "pad" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Simply uncomment the lines by deleting the hash sign(#) so that the lines appear this way:

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
 InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "pad" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Then find if the following set of lines exist. If not add them before Section "Server Layout":

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "pad"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "pad"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Don't forget to save the file before exiting. Hit the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace buttons to restart. Have the wacom pad connected when you do this. I am sure the pad will function well.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info. However, my xorg.conf doesn't have the "# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet" sections. At least it didn't a few days ago. It may have been part of an update. I can certainly add the info and will give it a try when I get home. However, my understanding is that these were going to work "out of the box" in Hardy. Is that still the plan? Some of the how-tos I've found also mention the need for a custom kernel. Is that necessary?

Thanks again.

Hello

I agree with Jim.

I also could not find the sections relating to the Wacom module.. Below is what my xorg.conf file shows:

-================================

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
 Driver "kbd"
 Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
 Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
 Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Configured Mouse"
 Driver "vmmouse"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
 Driver "synaptics"
 Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
 Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
 Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
 Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Default Screen"
 Monitor "Configured Monitor"
 Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
 Identifier "Default Layout"
 Screen "Default Screen"
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection
-================================

@JIm, @ashfaqjuna:
Which version of ubuntu are you guys using? The xorg.conf file on both my notebook and pc did have those lines in Feisty and Gutsy.

Hello OrthoDoc

Thanks for your help on this.

I am using Ubuntu 8.04 Beta, the latest.. but still Beta.

You are right, 7.04 and 7.10 had the entries to deal with Wacom.

I checked in the package manager, it has Wacom-tools installed. Do you think there is any point in removing them and reinstalling them?

I did the software updates that I was altered about last night, it modified the Xorg.conf file, but still no entries to deal with the stylus/pen.

Best Regards
Ashfaq

I am using Hardy beta. It doesn't have those lines but they did exist in earlier versions. I think the change has to do with how hardy is supposed to deal with the wacom but I can't fine much info on it. Adding and removing the tools package has no effect. The only info I can find has to do with a custom kernel and I'm not ready to go that route until I know what it is we are expected to do with using wacom on Hardy.

Yeah, you are right. Thinking of a customer Kernel worries me! :)

Makes me want to downgrade! :(

Guys don't worry. This is to do with the fact that the xorg.conf configuration is automatic, in the sense, that it is done without too many questions being thrown at the user. Whether this will serve its purpose or not, only time will tell.

This is done by debconf, and this will work automatically if you update to the new kernel image: 2.6.24-14-generic. Also install the backport, restricted modules and the headers alongwith it. My wacom works out of the box now. You do not have to customise the kernel image at all. Remember this is a developmental version. And its getting better every day.

Good luck!

Thanks OrthoDoc

So, how do we update the Kernel, (Sorry, I am a relative beginner with Linux)? Is there an easy to read guide sort of thing? I have no idea how to install backport and modules and headers etc.. yet..

Good to know that your tablet is working.

Thanks for your help.

Ashfaq

The best way to do that is through the terminal and run commands. But if you are unfamiliar with command line then the GUI method will do as well.

1. System > Administration > Software Sources

2. A dialogue box will open asking for the root password. Enter that.

3. The Software Sources will open up. The first tab is Ubuntu software. Make sure the first four options are selected. You can leave the fifth unselected because rarely do you need the source code.

4. Select the server for your country.

5. In the updates tab, direct your attention to the Ubuntu Updates. Select the first two and the last option. Leave the third one unchecked. Under the headings of Automatic updates and Release Upgrade choose as per your preferences.

6. Close the window.

7. Open System > Administration > Update Manager

8. Click on the check button. It will compile the list of new software available including backports, modules and headers.

9. Once the checking is done you will be presented with a list of all that is new. Make sure they are all checked. Wise to check will everything possible as this is a developmental version. Most of the updates will be required as they are meant to deal with bug corrections and security updatres. Once the final version is out on 26th, further releases is a matter of oyur choice.

10. As there will be a kernel change, you will have to reboot your system.

11. Before you do, don't forget to connect your wacom pad. That issue is still not sorted out.

Good luck!

10. Click on the Install software button. Wait for the download to finish.

Sorry about that.

The bulleting got messsed up.

After the Step 9, this is how it should read:

10. Click on the Install software button. Wait for the download to finish.

11. As there will be a kernel change, you will have to reboot your system.

12. Before you do, don't forget to connect your wacom pad. That issue is still not sorted out.

Good luck!

Thanks for that! :) I will give it a try when I get a chance.. I installed 7.10 for the time being... that worked after some minor mods to the Xorg.conf file.

Appreciate your help.

Regards
Ashfaq

Orthodoc: why enabling updates etc? it should be enabled already. Are you referring to Ubuntu Hardy or some specific update? It used to work in Gutsy, as far as I understand?!

If you're experiencing this problem, please try if adding those lines fixes it for you (just to make sure).

Looking at "man wacom" (from wacom-tools) refers to xorg.conf configuration, which is required.

I suppose it's not possible to autoconfigure this currently (or this is broken).
Please try, if you can find some bug about this (on https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu). You can link it with this question/thread.

OrthoDoc, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I got sidetracked. Anyway, I now have the 2.6.24-16-generic kernel and this still doesn't work. I also tried with the 2.6.24-15 kernel before running the new kernel update but it didn't work with that one either. I have wacom-tools and xserver-xorg-input-wacom packages installed but still no good.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Jim, have you tried adding the lines to xorg.conf?

I've linked bug 188787.

Daniel, no I haven't tried adding the lines to xorg. My understanding is that xorg doesn't control the wacom now so that would not work. However, I may be understanding incorrectly.

I am using the Thinkpad x61 Tablet on Ubuntu Hardy, and it DOES work if you add the lines to xorg.conf. The only thing I cannot get to work is the eraser. but if I add the following to xorg.conf, it works great (yes I have an eraser section in there, but it doesn't work for me for some reason):

Section "ServerLayout" #this line was already there
 Identifier "Default Layout" #this line was already there
 Screen "Default Screen" #this line was already there
 InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad" #this line was already there

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
 InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
 InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "stylus"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "stylus"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
 Option "Button2" "3" # Added for stylus click
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "eraser"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "eraser"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
 Option "Button3" "2" # Added for eraser working
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "cursor"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "cursor"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

aliencam - your xconfig works! i am also using 8.04beta. Thanks sooo much!

and thanks orthoDoc,of course!