TriggerFinger

if it cannot find the hardware, it could mean a malfunctioning touchpad. if you have checked the wires/connections of the touchpad (hopefully you checked both ends of the flat cable), and they are seated well, you can say it is indeed hardware. reseat the cables to be sure.

usually what i do is run a different operating system like a linux live CD (ex. knoppix) and see if the linux drivers recognizes the touchpad (suspecting a drivers issue). if in linux the touchpad seem to be 'missing' or not recognized, then i focus on the hardware. it is good if you have something (a spare bezel with touchpad and/or a spare flat cable) to swap it with for testing purposes.