USB mouse on laptop w/touchpad

[Jeff Jeter]

I hope this is the right list.  If not, tell me an i'll repost   I have a laptop running RedHat 7.2.  Often i attach an external USB wheel mouse.  When it is attached, however, the touchpad is still active.  How do I make the USB mouse (w/ wheel) active.  It doesn't matter if the touchpad is also active.   Also, can I set the touchpad to shut off tapping for a while while typing so i don't accidently hit it.  If it matters the tochpad is an Alps PS/2 Glidepoint.   Thyanks in advance, Jeff Jeter