T42 Fingerprint Reader - doesn't work in low light?

[firstthinkpad]

Hi -
I just bought my first TP. So far, so good, but I noticed that the fingerprint reader doesn't work in very low light environments. How does it work? Does it need to light in the room to actually complete a scan? Interestingly enough, on a flat surface in a room with light, it works on all of my registered fingers except one. No matter what I've tried, it won't work. IBM tech support told me it's my finger, so I've learned something new (lol).

Thanks for your help!

[RonS]

I haven't heard that one before. From everything I've read about the reader, it's an electrical device and doesn't use light.

Know that the reader does not work on most systems while docked. IBM has confirmed this, but has apparently stopped trying to solve the problem.

[Inky]

Mine works even in pitch darkness.

But because you can't see as well in low light you may--without even realizing it--end up altering the angle or position of your finger slightly when you swipe it over the reader.

Be sure to go over the middle of the reader (not just one half of it) and go across it at the exact same angle as you did when you "enrolled" your finger. I made sure to do the "enrolling" at an exact 90 degree (perpendicular) angle so it would be easy to remember and easy to repeat.

Mine also tells tells me: "slow down" when I do it too quickly, so doing the swipe slowly helps also.

-Inky