Fingerprint reader retrofitable on other T42 models?

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ssdaytona · #1 Post by **ssdaytona** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:09 pm

It seems like the fingerprint reader is built into the palmrest / trackpad. Couldn't we just buy a new palmrest and get a fingerprint reader model?

-ss

lvlolvlo · #2 Post by **lvlolvlo** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:35 pm

you would still need the software. and where would the fingerprint reader "plug-in" on to the mobo seeing that - that is the current location of your(at least my) hd.

Cheap quick solution...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... u=A75-2202

Or for a variety
http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/Results. ... r=PRICEASC

Plinkerton · #3 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:13 am

While I think the idea is really cool, I still completely fail to see the need for a fingerprint scanner.

I don't really see it as much more secure, because it's not like someone could guess a good password, that contains letters and numbers.

It's not like it takes a long time to type a password in either...

Am I missing the greatness of these things?

They seem more gimicky than anything else...

EvilTee · #4 Post by **EvilTee** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:18 am

When I get my biometric T42, I'll make sure to let you all know if I like it or not. I'm not exactly clear on how it works. My biggest concern is if the reader breaks...I wonder if that will effectively lock you out of your computer until it is fixed. I hope there is an alternative solution to logging in if that ever happens, however, that would seem to render the reader useless if that's the case.

webnexus · #5 Post by **webnexus** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:04 am

There's a new Hardware Maintenance Manual describing how to replace the palmrest with fingerprint sensor. It's the same procedure, as with the palmrest w/o fp. At least there's no additional connection to the mobo mentioned:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-46464

The part number of the new palmrest can be found here, but it does not seem to be available for order at the moment:
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... MIGR-46474

Kenn · #6 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:40 am

Plinkerton wrote:While I think the idea is really cool, I still completely fail to see the need for a fingerprint scanner.

I don't really see it as much more secure, because it's not like someone could guess a good password, that contains letters and numbers.

It's not like it takes a long time to type a password in either...

Am I missing the greatness of these things?

They seem more gimicky than anything else...

I think it's a good alternative to a password system. Remember, this is mainly billed as a business notebook. In many companies, you are required to change your password every over week or so, and some systems don't let you alternate between the last 2-3 passwords you used. The time lost and IT costs of people forgetting their passwords is easily worth the marginal costs of adding a fingerprint reader.

I even know people who keep their current passwords on post-it notes stuck onto their palmrests! And that's not too uncommon, either. If that kind of behavior can be eliminated, you can buy your company a bit more security than you would have had otherwise.

Kenn · #7 Post by **Kenn** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:44 am

Another thing - I'm used to an environment where you're more worried about people walking away with your laptop than stealing sensitive information off of it (school). It's different in many industries, especially where I used to work, where 1) it's harder to leave a secure environment with a tagged asset that isn't yours, and 2) the cost of a stolen laptop is nothing compared to the grief caused from losing sensitive firm and client information. Put those together with the hassle of a frequently-rotating password system, and the fingerprint scanner suddenly sounds like a safer and more convenient alternative.

Plinkerton · #8 Post by **Plinkerton** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:56 am

I see. I guess you guys definitely make valid points. I didn't take into consideration that you would have to constantly change passwords. I have a list of passwords in my head that I always use. If I forget one, I know it's the other one. It makes it easier on me, but I still get a few passwords, that I know I will never forget.

But, if you are forced to make new ones all the time, I could see that getting difficult.

That post-it thing is pretty funny... I wouldn't imagine it being THAT HARD to remember one password!

Okay, I buy into it now. I don't think I will ever need one, but I can see the need.

They definitely are cool though.

admsteiner · #9 Post by **admsteiner** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:42 pm

ssdaytona wrote:It seems like the fingerprint reader is built into the palmrest / trackpad. Couldn't we just buy a new palmrest and get a fingerprint reader model?

-ss

My understanding is not. At least that's what an IBM sales rep told me (not really sure if that holds water or not)
--Adam

tselling · #10 Post by **tselling** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 2:34 pm

webnexus wrote:There's a new Hardware Maintenance Manual describing how to replace the palmrest with fingerprint sensor. It's the same procedure, as with the palmrest w/o fp. At least there's no additional connection to the mobo mentioned:
http://www-3.ibm.com/pc/support/site.ws ... MIGR-46464

The part number of the new palmrest can be found here, but it does not seem to be available for order at the moment:
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.ws ... MIGR-46474

You would have to replace the motherboard. You can see in the HMM listed above there are motherboards with and without the fingerprint sensor.

sharpc8690 · #11 Post by **sharpc8690** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:55 pm

Good innovation in special domain.

JaimitoBond · #12 Post by **JaimitoBond** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:08 am

Gimmicky isn't it? I mean if you need fingerprints to get access, then just get it from the keyboard!!! That thing is full of the owner's fingerprints. I wonder IBM ever thought of that?

mgp · #13 Post by **mgp** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:25 am

True, but this scanner is different than a typical "touch" sensor where you just place a finger -- or, in your case, a finger print copy -- to the sensor. The IBM fingerprint scanner requires the user to swipe their finger across the scanner, effectively blurring out the oils left by the finger.

Kenn · #14 Post by **Kenn** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 8:54 am

JaimitoBond wrote:Gimmicky isn't it? I mean if you need fingerprints to get access, then just get it from the keyboard!!! That thing is full of the owner's fingerprints. I wonder IBM ever thought of that?

Sure they did, which is why 1) they went with a swipe scanner, and 2) I can take a decent stab at guessing/stealing login passwords, but I certainly don't know how to go about dusting/lifting/reproducting a fingerprint durable enough to survive and be readable on a swipe. And unless it was bic-pen-easy or I was a spy by profession, I wouldn't be inclined to bring a dusting/jello-mold kit into the office - I'd just take a screwdriver and remove the hard drive (same as I'd do with a password-protected system). This isn't billed as a cure-all infallible security measure, it's a viable alternative to the hassle of using/changing/remembering/reseting passwords.

aleung · #15 Post by **aleung** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:29 pm

that's what I wondering.. the systemboard should have some place to plug the fingerprint sensor. I hope i can add the fingerprint sensor to the non-fingerprint T42p

Fingerprint reader retrofitable on other T42 models?

Fingerprint reader retrofitable on other T42 models?

Re: Fingerprint reader retrofitable on other T42 models?

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