Touchpad problems

I have been given an old NEC Versa FM340 laptop. It came without a hdd for obvious reasons. I installed a new hdd, windows xp etc but the problem i'm having is that the touchpad does not work. I've updated all the software, drivers etc via microsoft and the NEC website. But the driver for the touchpad does not install. I follow the instructions to install it but i get the error 'DLL could not be opened'. The touchpad is not even being recognised. It may be faulty but it could be something i'm doing or not doing.  Any help would be appreciated but  bear in mind i'm a beginner so laymans terms please. Thanks guys

[Moderator]

Laptop drivers should come ONLY from the manuf. site...
Using MS to update drivers may cause headaches.

Also on most laptops there is an F key combo that enables/disables the touchpad....check the Owners Manual.

I tried the function key idea but no joy. I tried every combination possible. I installed all the drivers from the NEC website. When i mentioned microsoft it was for the security updates etc.

[Moderator]

Drivers

Specific touchpad driver: http://down.nec-driver.com/soft/tpad_winxp_549056.zip

By the way, you installed XP, but have you updated to SP3?

Hi, yeah its sp3. That driver download is the one that says Error DLL could not be opened.

Which DLL exactly? It must state this.

At what stage during the driver install does it say this?

And lastly have you fully removed the touchpad device from device manager and restarted?

What do you mean by fully removed from device manager? The touchpad has never showed up on it. Also the error only states DLL. I apologise for my lack of knowledge. Here are 2 images showing hopefully what i mean.

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Sorry for delay, I ended up downloading the driver myself, and received the same error message.

The fault is you need to install the driver manually.
Check Device Manager for any queried device issues (ie one may be the touchpad!) Remove them, then do a refresh (or restart) Add/remove Hardware wizard may also help here.

But, the touchpad must be on in cmos setup (usually press DEL or F2 or some other key to get to setup when the computer first starts) OR, it may be that Fn key that needs to be enabled (Note I haven't downloaded the manual to confirm which key sequence this is disable/enable touchpad)

I didnt find any queries in device manager. Couldnt see the touchpad.  couldnt see anything in CMOS about a touchpad either.  And i tried every combination  of 'Fn' there is. Sorry for the negatives but i really do appreciate you helping.

[Moderator]

With the .dll error i suspect the DLoad and/or the file is corrupt from the site...
You may want to try a driver for a different Model# but same OS.

Just an idea...

No its not the download, that DLL error message is when you double click on one of the executable files in the extracted driver program (there isn't a 'setup' file exactly) that's why I suggested manual installation (ie infs exist in there)

But I was unable to find the exact Fn key to enable the Touchpad (these NEC support drivers etc page is not that good!)
I'm thinking maybe plug in an external keyboard, just in case the keys are stuck on the notebook.

Actually, also do a check disk, it has fixed other driver issues before (strangely)

edit
Oh and the chipset drivers have been installed?
chipset driver? http://www.nec-driver.com/nec-driver/VERSA-M340-CHIPSET-DRIVER--for-Versa-M340---FM340_78.html

[Moderator]

Not sure how you concluded it's not a corrupt DLoad and/or the driver package itself.

Because we both had the same issue
It extracted perfectly fine
There is no 'Setup' anyway, so that file is likely just one of the executables once its installed. (manually I suspect)

[Moderator]

So the package couldn't possibly be corrupt and/or missing the .dll ? ?...OK.