Docked T42p = no fingerprint read

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#1 Post by **RonS** » Mon May 09, 2005 11:48 am

My fingerprint reader works fine when my T42p is undocked.

When used in a dock, the fingerprint reader doesn't work. The system doesn't acknowledge (in any way) that I've swipped. I unplugged every cable from the dock (except the power cord) and removed the PCI graphics card with the same results.

Undock the system, and the fingerprint reader once again works fine.

Does anyone else have this problem?

#2 Post by **RonS** » Mon May 09, 2005 4:50 pm

Anybody?

NaT · #3 Post by **NaT** » Mon May 09, 2005 7:27 pm

RonS wrote:Anybody?

Sorry pal,

I have no machine to test yet. I ordered my machine way long for over a month and has not shipped yet.

NaT

vliou · #4 Post by **vliou** » Mon May 09, 2005 8:02 pm

Yeah, got my T42...when plugged into port replicator, it doesn't work...when it's undocked, it works!!

LumberJack · #5 Post by **LumberJack** » Mon May 09, 2005 10:08 pm

Are you gus using the IBM security login?
Becasue with that you can configure different login profiles for docked / undocked and for different networks... check your settings to see if this is the case...

Just a thought...

LJ

w0qj · #6 Post by **w0qj** » Mon May 09, 2005 10:24 pm

There was a posting in Jan'05 that it also depends on the *angle* of the finger to the fingerprint reader.

ie: there is a big difference to the reader if the computer is docked (slanted), vs. undocked flat on the table.

for details, see:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... dock#42514

#7 Post by **RonS** » Mon May 09, 2005 11:44 pm

w0qj wrote:There was a posting in Jan'05 that it also depends on the *angle* of the finger to the fingerprint reader.

ie: there is a big difference to the reader if the computer is docked (slanted), vs. undocked flat on the table.

for details, see:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... dock#42514

This is definitely not the case. The fingerprint reader does not respond when the system is docked.

Regarding profiles: This doesn't have anything to do with login profiles. This is the power-on BIOS function that isn't working correctly. The hard drive is locked until it gets a good scan (or password).

BranE · #8 Post by **BranE** » Tue May 10, 2005 12:36 am

I have the port replicator (the smaller one, without the power supply) and mine works fine while docked. It's never been an issue for me.

NathanA · #9 Post by **NathanA** » Tue May 10, 2005 12:38 am

Has anybody asked IBM (er, sorry, Lenovo) about this yet? Surely with a problem as obvious as this, if it is a genuine bug, they have probably heard from plenty of others and can at least tell us if it is a known problem.

-- Nathan

#10 Post by **RonS** » Wed May 11, 2005 4:16 pm

I just called IBM and talked to a tech rep about this problem.

It was the worst tech support call I've ever placed. He had absolutely no idea what any of the words he said actually meant. And he was eating loudly into his microphone.

Anyway, the end result is that IBM knows about the problem and that the fingerprint reader will not work while the system is docked. His explanation of why this is was so laughable that I won't bother repeating it here.

Now I'm waiting to hear from someone who knows otherwise...

blueboy · #11 Post by **blueboy** » Thu May 12, 2005 1:07 pm

Rob,

I have a 2373-Q1U with integrated finger print reader and I use it in my dock five days a week.

mephie · #12 Post by **mephie** » Thu May 12, 2005 1:51 pm

I have a 2373-Q1U in a full dock. My finger print reader works fine.

WilsonF · #13 Post by **WilsonF** » Thu May 12, 2005 4:37 pm

The fingerprint reader works with the small port replicator.

By the way, to handle the angle problem, I registered one finger with the machine flat on a desk and the others with it in the port replicator.

dkrizic · #14 Post by **dkrizic** » Thu May 12, 2005 4:40 pm

Hi!

I have a T42p 2373-P1G and I have this:

- When the Notebook is on battery the fingerprint reader works *always*
- When the Notebook is on power than the fingerprint reader works *sometimes*. But this is reproducable. It either works every time or it works never.

I called IBM Support here in Germany and the guy never heard of this problem and suggested me to replace the systme board on warranty.

zhu8jie · #15 Post by **zhu8jie** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 6:25 am

dkrizic Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi!

I have a T42p 2373-P1G and I have this:

- When the Notebook is on battery the fingerprint reader works *always*
- When the Notebook is on power than the fingerprint reader works *sometimes*. But this is reproducable. It either works every time or it works never.

I called IBM Support here in Germany and the guy never heard of this problem and suggested me to replace the systme board on warranty.

It seems that the fingerprint reader does have some problem. My problem is just opposite to yours. And it's like this :
- When the Notebook is on power ,the fingerprint reader works *always*
- When the Notebook is on battery ,then the fingerprint reader works *never*.

BTW: my thinkpad is T43 2668-1BH

simms · #16 Post by **simms** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:15 am

I've got this problem too, also only works when it's undocked.

I have read that if you unplug the ethernet cable, it might work.

Docked T42p = no fingerprint read

Docked T42p = no fingerprint read

Fingerprint reader

Re: finger print reader

Another 2373 Q1U - with port replicator

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