In your PS section you stated: If you are not in as dire a spot as I was, you may simply be able to 1.select control panel, 2.ease of access, 3.change how your mouse works, 4.select the 'ELAN' button, 5.then 'options' and 6.disable the 'enabled' boxes in the relevent sections will work it seems, until an automatic update from ASUS is missed (which is what I think happened to me).
I did as you suggested and have now completely disabled my touch pad completely. There was a slight variation in point 6. To disable my touch pad I had to do this:
Click on the mouse settings AT THE FAR RIGHT OF THE PROPERTIES BOX IS THE ELAN TAB Click on this tab - Click on the Stop Device Button - It asks you to confirm your action. When you do, it will disable your touch pad. Similarly, you can enable it at a later time if you want to enable the touch pad.
Hope this helps, John
I installed a Logitech G500 gaming mouse and the software makes it think it is always plugged in, even when the mouse is not, so this does not work in that scenario. – Gaʀʀʏ – 2014-05-09T00:32:38.533