Introduction

[CW47]

Hi everyone Im new

 

[ChatGPT]

Welcome to WindowsForum, @CW47 — great to have you here!
If you just wanted to say hi, hi back. If you came for help, tell us a bit and we’ll dive in. A quick checklist that makes it easier for folks to help you fast:

• What are you using? (Windows version — e.g., Windows 10/11 and build if known, laptop or desktop, make/model)
• Short description of the problem or question.
• Exact error messages, screenshots, or steps that reproduce the issue.
• What you’ve already tried (restarts, updates, safe mode, etc.).
• Any relevant logs or files (attach images with

 

[CW47]

Welcome to WindowsForum, @CW47 — great to have you here!
If you just wanted to say hi, hi back. If you came for help, tell us a bit and we’ll dive in. A quick checklist that makes it easier for folks to help you fast:

• What are you using? (Windows version — e.g., Windows 10/11 and build if known, laptop or desktop, make/model)
• Short description of the problem or question.
• Exact error messages, screenshots, or steps that reproduce the issue.
• What you’ve already tried (restarts, updates, safe mode, etc.).
• Any relevant logs or files (attach images with

I'm using Windows11 on an Acer laptop, my problem is right doesn't work on the touchpad

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi @CW47 — welcome again. Quick clarification before we dive in: by “right doesn’t work” do you mean the right-click (secondary click) on the touchpad, or the right half/edge of the touchpad physically doesn’t respond? Answer that and I’ll tailor the steps — meanwhile try the quick checklist below.
Quick checks (do these first)

• Does an external mouse’s right-click work? (If yes, it’s touchpad-specific.)
• Reboot once and test again.
• Make sure the touchpad isn’t turned off by a hotkey (Fn + a function key with a touchpad icon). See the shortcut advice below.

Step-by-step troubleshooting
1) Verify Touchpad settings

• Press Win + I → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad.
• Make sure Touchpad is On and, under Taps or Secondary click, that two‑finger tap or the option for “press lower right corner = right‑click” (or “secondary click”) is enabled. Many right‑click problems are just a misconfigured tap/secondary‑click setting.

2) Update / reinstall the touchpad driver

• Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
• Look under “Mice and other pointing devices” and under “Human Interface Devices” for entries like Synaptics, ELAN, I2C HID Device.
• Right‑click → Update driver → Search automatically. If that doesn’t help, right‑click → Uninstall device (check “Delete driver” if shown) and reboot — Windows will reinstall the driver.
• If Windows doesn’t provide a good driver, download the OEM driver from Acer’s support page for your exact laptop model.

3) Check Windows Update / Optional updates

• Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates. Driver updates sometimes appear there.

4) Test in Safe Mode / Clean Boot

• Boot to Safe Mode (Shift + Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Safe Mode). If right‑click works in Safe Mode, a third‑party app or service is interfering; try a Clean Boot to isolate it. Problems that disappear in Safe Mode are usually software-related.

5) BIOS/UEFI setting (if hardware side is suspect)

• Some laptops expose “Internal Pointing Device” or touchpad mode (Advanced/Basic) in BIOS. Reboot and enter BIOS (often F2 or Del on Acer) and confirm the touchpad is enabled. If your model shows a mode choice, try switching modes and test again.

6) If the right side (physical area) doesn’t respond

• Some touchpad drivers let you configure zones (lower‑right corner for right‑click). Open the touchpad driver panel (Synaptics/ELAN control in Control Panel or the touchpad settings app) and check zone assignments or sensitivity.

If none of the above helps

• Tell me: Acer exact model (e.g., Aspire A315-23), whether two‑finger tap works, whether right‑click works with an external mouse, and whether you recently installed Windows updates or drivers. If possible, post a screenshot of Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad (attach with

 

[Mike]

I'm using Windows11 on an Acer laptop, my problem is right doesn't work on the touchpad

Welcome to the forums! It could be the palm rest assembly, if it is the hardware!

 

[NettleWarbler]

Welcome CW47 .

 

[ChatGPT]

Hello — thanks, and welcome back.
Quick check: do you want help now with the low disk‑space problem, or would you rather wait until your adapters arrive and recover files that way? I can do either — here are the easy choices, tell me which one and I’ll walk you through it step‑by‑step:
Options
1) Free space now (fast, safe) — I’ll guide you through Empty Recycle Bin, Temporary files, Disk Cleanup, moving a few large files off C:, and optionally turning off Hibernation to free several GB. Good if you need the PC usable immediately.
2) Back up important files first — if you’re worried the disk is failing I’ll help you copy the most important files to an external drive (or show what to copy once your powered adapter arrives).
3) Diagnose the drive — I can walk you through checking Disk usage in Task Manager, a SMART check (wmic), and whether a chkdsk is advisable or risky.
If you want option 1 now, please do one of these and tell me the result:

• Open File Explorer → This PC and tell me how much free space C: shows (e.g. “C: 8 GB free of 500 GB”), or
• Say “Ready — free space” and I’ll guide you through Disk Cleanup step by step.

If you prefer option 2, tell me whether you have a USB stick or external disk available and how large it is (so I can prioritize files to copy).
If you prefer option 3, tell me whether you’re on Windows 10 or 11 and I’ll give the simple commands/clicks.
I’ll keep each step short and stay with you. Which do you want to do first?

 

[NettleWarbler]

I should get those adapters sometime sun i will wait .

 

[ChatGPT]

Sounds good — waiting for the adapters is the safest move. While you wait, here are a few very small, practical things you can do so you’re ready to recover files quickly and safely when the adapters arrive.
What to have ready

• One external USB stick or external HDD (16–64 GB is fine for documents / photos; bigger if you have lots of video).
• A small surge‑protected power strip for the adapter’s power brick (don’t daisy‑chain strips).
• A clear, well‑lit table to work on.
• Your PC turned on and logged in so you can plug the adapter to a rear USB port.

What to copy first (priority list)
1) Documents and Desktop folders
2) Photos / Pictures / Videos (those are often large and most important)
3) Email archives (if you use Outlook .pst files)
4) Browser bookmarks (export if needed) and any financial/important files
5) Anything in Downloads you’d hate to lose
How we’ll do it once the adapters arrive (very short checklist)
1) Assemble power plug on the adapter’s brick and plug the brick into the wall (leave adapter OFF).
2) Connect the adapter’s power lead to the drive (15‑pin SATA power or Molex→SATA as supplied).
3) Connect the adapter’s data lead to the drive (SATA or IDE).
4) Plug the adapter’s USB into a rear USB port on the PC.
5) Turn the adapter ON — wait 10–20 seconds for the drive to spin.
6) If Windows shows a drive letter in File Explorer → open it and copy your priority files to the external drive.
7) If Windows prompts to FORMAT — CLOSE that prompt. Do NOT format; tell me and I’ll help recover.
8) If the drive is noisy (clicking/grinding) or doesn’t spin — switch off and stop; tell me and we’ll decide the safest next step.
Two quick safety notes

• If the drive clicks or makes odd noises, stop — that’s likely physical failure and more attempts can make things worse.
• Don’t run chkdsk or other “repair” tools until you’ve copied your most important files (they can stress a failing drive).

If you want, when the adapter arrives:

• Say “ready” and I’ll walk you through each connection and every click in Windows, step‑by‑step.
• Or post a clear photo of the adapter + drive connectors and I’ll confirm the exact plugs and the order to connect.

You’re doing the right thing waiting — tell me when you’re ready and I’ll guide you slowly through it.

 

[NettleWarbler]

I do have a USB stick

 

[ChatGPT]

Great — having a USB stick is perfect. Below is a short, safe checklist and step‑by‑step plan you can follow when the adapter arrives. I’ll keep it simple — do each step and tell me any messages or noises you hear.
Important reminders (read first)

• Do NOT format the drive if Windows prompts — that destroys recoverable files. If you see a “Format disk” popup, close it and ask me.
• 3.5" drives need the adapter’s external power brick (12V+5V). Follow the power → data → USB → ON order below.

Prepare the USB stick now

1. Check its free space: plug the stick in, open This PC, note “X GB free of Y GB.”
2. If you expect to copy files >4 GB (videos), use NTFS or exFAT. Formatting will erase the stick — only format if you have nothing on it you need to keep. (Right‑click the stick → Format → choose NTFS or exFAT.)

Priority: what to copy first
Copy these in order (small items first so you have something safe quickly):

1. Documents (C:\Users\<yourname>\Documents)
2. Desktop (C:\Users\<yourname>\Desktop)
3. Pictures (C:\Users\<yourname>\Pictures)
4. Emails (Outlook PST files are often at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook — let me know if you use Outlook and I’ll give exact path)
5. Browser bookmarks — export from Edge/Chrome (Settings → Bookmarks/Bookmarks manager → Export)
6. Any folders with financial / legal / irreplaceable photos or videos.

Hookup and copy steps (follow exactly)

1. Place drive and adapter on a table. Have the USB stick ready.
2. Assemble/plug the adapter power brick into the wall (leave adapter OFF).
3. Connect the adapter’s power lead to the drive (15‑pin SATA power OR Molex→SATA as supplied).
4. Connect the adapter’s data lead to the drive (SATA or IDE cable).
5. Plug adapter USB into a rear USB port on your PC (avoid hubs).
6. Turn the adapter ON and wait 10–20 seconds — listen for a steady spin (no loud clicking).
   • If you hear loud repetitive clicking/grinding, turn OFF immediately and tell me. That suggests physical failure.
7. In Windows: open File Explorer → This PC. If the drive appears with a letter, open it and start copying your highest‑priority folders to the USB stick (drag & drop).
   • If the drive does NOT show in Explorer: open Disk Management (right‑click Start → Disk Management). If the drive appears but has no letter, right‑click the partition → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Add → pick a letter. Then copy.
   • If Disk Management shows RAW/unallocated, stop and tell me; we’ll image/recover rather than writing to the disk.

Copy methods (pick 1)

• Easiest (for most people): drag & drop the folder(s) from the drive to the USB stick in File Explorer. Watch the copy dialog to see errors.
• More reliable (recommended if lots of files): use Robocopy from an Admin Command Prompt (resumes, retries):
  • Example (replace letters/paths):
    robocopy "E:\Users\Trevor\Documents" "F:\Backup\Documents" /E /R:2 /W:5
  • /E copies subfolders, /R:2 retries twice on error, /W:5 waits 5 seconds between retries. I can give exact commands for your folders.

Verify

• After copying, open a couple of files from the USB stick to confirm they work (open a Word doc, view a photo).
• Check overall free space on USB to ensure everything fit.

If you hit problems

• If Windows asks to initialize or format the disk: STOP — don’t do it. Tell me exactly what you see.
• If Disk Management shows the drive as “Unknown” or Disk not initialized: do NOT initialize if the data is important — tell me.
• If copying fails repeatedly with read errors, stop and tell me — we can try imaging or other recovery tools.

If you want step‑by‑step help when the adapters arrive
Say “Ready” and:

• Tell me the Windows version (type winver and tell me the line it shows), and
• Tell me the drive type you’re connecting (3.5" SATA desktop), and
• I’ll walk you through each click: connect, turn on, Disk Management check, and the first copy operation (I’ll give an exact robocopy command if you want).

You’re doing the right thing by waiting for the powered adapters. I’ll stay with you when you’re ready — just say “Ready” and I’ll guide the first copy step slowly.