T43P Fingerprint reader stopped working - IBM gave up.

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toms · #1 Post by **toms** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 7:23 am

Suddenly my T43P fingerprint reader stopped working. PC goes to IBM service. They mount a different hard drive and the fingerprint reader works. Conclusion: It's a software problem. My problem - not theirs. IBM's reccommendation: Re-install the fingerprint drivers. (Did that - unsuccessfully). Then: Re-install everything (Horror of Horrors).

But before I do: Has anyone come across these error messages when trying to enroll a new fingerprint?

ThinkVantage fingerprint reader is not ready.
Suggestion: ThinkVantage fingerprint reader is not connected or not ready.
Error Details:
0xe7310013 ThinkVantage fingerprint reader is not ready.
-3 No firgerprint device connected.

kyrotech · #2 Post by **kyrotech** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 12:33 pm

toms wrote:Conclusion: It's a software problem. My problem - not theirs. IBM's reccommendation: Re-install the fingerprint drivers. (Did that - unsuccessfully). Then: Re-install everything (Horror of Horrors).

what kind of bullcrap is that? the problem is their thinkvincrap software....

Oh well, what I will do is remove the biometric hardware from device manager and also the USB hardware devices (yes). Uninstall all the fingerpring software, also delete the FPS folder in program files. An reinstall the [censored] thing

toms · #3 Post by **toms** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 12:50 pm

remove the biometric hardware from device manager and also the USB hardware devices (yes).

That's interesting. What this has to do with the USB hardware device is beyond me, but I will leave no device unturned... In fact I'll do anything before I lobotomize the computer and re-install everything...

Thanks! I'll try your suggestion and keep you posted.

christopher_wolf · #4 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 2:14 pm

It has the same thing to do with the USB as the Security Chip does; why?I have no idea.

#5 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 2:22 pm

IBM always recommends a factory reinstall if the tech support cannot come up with a viable answer to a problem. A factory reinstall is really not the end of the world, save your data and reinstall the OS. This is a standard troubleshooting tool for those weird problems.

toms · #6 Post by **toms** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:30 pm

A factory reinstall is really not the end of the world

Agreed. But with the amount of stuff installed on my PC this process takes days. Literally. Being a programmer, getting everything back and properly configured is a nightmare. And all for a non-functioning firgerprint reader...

pae77 · #7 Post by **pae77** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:49 pm

Before you try a complete reinstall of the OS, I would try a repair install which would leave your programs and data intact. You would only have to update XP after the repair install.

I was having a problem where the OS was not working with a PCMCIA firewire card and all the drivers were supposed to be installed by the OS not the manufacturer of the card. A repair install of XP solved that problem. It was a great relief not to have to reinstall everything.

toms · #8 Post by **toms** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:17 pm

A Repair Install sounds tempting. I have never done one before with the T43P. Without a "proper" XP CD I'm a little lost... When I first got the PC I was prompted to make 8 "Recovery Data" CDs and 1 "Recovery Boot" CD. Do I use any (or all) of these to recover from?

#9 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:05 pm

At boot time press the blue "Access IBM' button and recover from there.

#10 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 11:59 pm

Can you do a repair install without the XP CD? Don't remember seeing that in the R&R.

toms · #11 Post by **toms** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 3:50 am

Kyocera wrote:Can you do a repair install without the XP CD? Don't remember seeing that in the R&R.

The T43P didn't come with an original XP CD. It was pre-installed on the Hard Disk. You are asked to make "Recovery CDs" presumably containing the XP.

#12 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 7:26 am

Pae77 wrote:

Before you try a complete reinstall of the OS, I would try a repair install which would leave your programs and data intact. You would only have to update XP after the repair install.

sorry toms I was actually addressing pae77's post, when installing win XP (the purchased version) via CD I have seen the prompt for a repair install but I did not know you could do the same with the R&R. Is that possible.

#13 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:16 am

AFAIK a Windows repair install cannot be done without a Windows installation CD. A repair install of sorts can be done with a Windows Service Pack upgrade CD.

If you use the Recovery Disc set, you will lose all data on your hard disk. If you use the Recovery Disc set, your computer will be returned to 'Factory State'.

You can use the Rescue and Recovery workspace to restore a Rescue and Recovery backup - if you have made one.

You can use Windows System Restore to revert to an earlier time when Windows was functioning correctly.

pae77 · #14 Post by **pae77** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:24 pm

I have only done it from an XP installation disk and I think this was on a TP that did not have the hidden recovery image installed.

toms · #15 Post by **toms** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:49 pm

This is food for thought: We have no doubt paid for XP on our PCs but we can't access it for an installation repair. Hmmm. We must be missing something here.

#16 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:28 pm

Actually we paid for the OEM version of XP, this is a standard deal across most manufacturers. Reinstalling the OS is just a part of the overall troubleshooting process. If you can't do without your laptop for any reason (like me for work) buy a second laptop, buy another hard drive too or 5 and clone your system when you get to a point you feel like it is set up to suit your needs. I have two laptops with two HD's each with all programs and drivers I need installed, the malfunctioning HD is removed and the spare is installed in about two minutes. The problematic HD can be checked out and repaired or reformatted or cloned. My desktop has a large partition on it for storing my backups, completely away from the other HD's and can be accessed through my network. I learned the hard way to back up and be prepared for a catostrophe, it takes the worry out of it. This may be helpful to get ready for the next time you have a problem, but unfortunately this time it seems like you'll have to do a factory reinstall.

toms · #17 Post by **toms** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:00 pm

I hear you. Mind you, I have enough backups om USB disks, RAM disks, CDs, DVDs, Desktop etc. My concern is the fact that in my job as a software engineer I use my portable extensively every day, and the process of doing any restore from IBM/Lenovo software screwing up my system takes time. A lot of time. From any medium. That's why the fingerprint reader will probably remain unfunctional on my T43. Oh well - it was nice while it lasted.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

tensai_jin · #18 Post by **tensai_jin** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 11:29 am

Yes! I had that problem half a year ago!!! It would occur randomly and I can't do anything about it. Tried BIOS and it would say fingerprint reader not found.

Contacted IBM and they didn't even reply. But the problem went away after a while...have not gotten the problem for a while already. But I am certain it's not software.

toms · #19 Post by **toms** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:01 pm

In my case I believe it is software if I'm to believe IBM tech support who put in a different hard disk in my PC - and the fingerprint reader worked.

T43P Fingerprint reader stopped working - IBM gave up.

T43P Fingerprint reader stopped working - IBM gave up.

Re: T43P Fingerprint reader stopped working - IBM gave up.

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