Disabling synaptic touchpad(Ubuntu)

1. Determine the device id

$ xinput list

⎡ Virtual core pointer                     id=2 [master pointer  (3)]
⎜   ↳ Virtual core XTEST pointer               id=4 [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ Logitech Wireless Mouse                  id=9 [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎜   ↳ SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad               id=12 [slave  pointer  (2)]
⎣ Virtual core keyboard                    id=3 [master keyboard (2)]
    ↳ Virtual core XTEST keyboard              id=5 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Power Button                             id=6 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Video Bus                                id=7 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ Sleep Button                             id=8 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HP HD Webcam [Fixed]: HP HD Web          id=10 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ AT Translated Set 2 keyboard             id=11 [slave  keyboard (3)]
    ↳ HP WMI hotkeys                           id=13 [slave  keyboard (3)]

 

2. Disable touchpad

$ xinput set-prop 12 "Device Enabled" 0

 

3. Enable touchpad

$ xinput set-prop 12 "Device Enabled" 1

 

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticsTouchpad

SynapticsTouchpad - Community Help Wiki