Fixing ThinkPad X250 Issues on Ubuntu Linux

Two problems, roughly:

1. Multi-monitor output when docked
2. TrackPoint and middle-button scrolling

I wrote up some quick fixes last time, but these are better.

Multi-monitor output when docked

It’s a bug, and it was fixed in kernel 3.18. You need to upgrade the kernel first — dig the latest kernel debs out of Ubuntu’s official kernel mainline PPA. I still recommend 3.18; download and install it.

http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.18.7-vivid/

While you’re at it, add the PPA and upgrade to the latest mesa to fix the 3D acceleration issues.

https://launchpad.net/~oibaf/+archive/ubuntu/graphics-drivers

TrackPoint and middle-button scrolling

Fixing this requires kernel 3.16 or newer (at least that’s what the gaijin say).

sudo vim /etc/modprobe.d/psmouse.conf

Create the module config file with the following:

options psmouse proto=imps

Then create the Xorg config file:

sudo vim /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/90-evdev.conf

Contents:

Section "InputClass"
 Identifier "Touchpad/TrackPoint"
 MatchProduct "PS/2 Synaptics TouchPad"
 MatchDriver "evdev"
 Option "EmulateWheel" "1"
 Option "EmulateWheelButton" "2"
 Option "Emulate3Buttons" "0"
 Option "XAxisMapping" "6 7"
 Option "YAcisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Log out and back in and it takes effect. You’ll notice the touchpad is basically crippled, though it can still move the cursor…

I’d suggest disabling the touchpad in the BIOS. Of course, if you don’t like the red nub, skip that step — the touchpad works fine out of the box anyway.