Can i upgrade a T43 and put a fingerprint reader on it?

[Cyberstudio]

Hi!

First of all, sorry for my bad english.

This the T43 that i will buy: 2669-84U

It does not come with fingerprint reader, but i want to put one on it. How can i know if this T43 supports fingerprint reader?

Im thinkin in get a new palm rest with fingerprint reader, but want to be sure.

Thanks and sorry for my english

[Johan]

Welcome to the forum!

If you want a ThinkPad with a fingerprint-reader, then I really think it would be easier if you "just" bought one with that, in stead of one without, and then upgrading yourself (if possible)... But! This is not what you asked, so let me try answer your specific question!

If you go to www.ibm.com and enter 2669-84U in the upper, right "Search-field", and choose the first hit, then that wil take you to the Product support page for T43 model 2669-84U where we will read:

Product: ThinkPad T43 2669-84U [change]
Operating system: All [change]

Original description: P M 750, 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HDD, 15 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X300, 24x24x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD, Intel 802.11b/g wireless(MPCI), Bluetooth/Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6 cell Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

... so indeed, this T43 does not come with a fingerprint-reader. Now, we need to find out if the motherboard does support a fingerprint reader or not.. if not, you're out of luck. OK, then how to find out anything about the motherboard in this T43?? Very easy! Do this; either go to Hardware Maintenance Manual (July 2005) - ThinkPad T43/p (2668, 2669, 2678, 2679, 2686, 2687) or go to System service parts - ThinkPad T43, T43p. On any of these pages, we need to find out what motherboard is in a 2669-84U... and by scrolling down to item # 15 you will see that for the following models: 2669-CTO, 42x, 43x, 44x, 46x, 4Dx, 83x, 84x, C2x, C3x, C5x, C6x, C7x, C8x, C9x - the motherboard with FRU (Field Replacable Unit) number 39T0476 is used - being described as: "System board assembly ATI M22-64" ... with no fingerprint-reader mentioned. In contrast, the FRU 39T0324 (just above) is listed as "System board assembly, Intel 915GM, Gigabit Ethernet with security chip/fingerprint reader".

The above may probably seem like bad luck, I guess...

If you had chosen a T43 with an Intel GPU, then you would have been able to upgrade your T43 to having a fingerprint-reader, as described in underclocker's recent thread: T43 - easy fingerprint reader upgrade. As your T43-to-be however has the X300 GPU, this suggestion does not seem to be of any use...

Subsequent update: I just came across the following thread - which may perhaps be of your interest: 14.1" T43 - 2668-71U - $375+shipping - NEW 120GB HDD... What's quite interesting is that this T43 (2668-71U) according to the Service Parts site also has the 39T0476 motherboard, exactly as "your" 2669-84U, and since the 2668-71U indeed comes with a fingerprint-reader, then "your" motherboard obviously support it! Good news, finally?!

Johan

[richk]

I've tried several T43 motherboards andf I think they all have the biometric coprocessor needed to support fingerprint. (T42 does not) There is another difference, though. The cage that holds the hard drive and caddy has a cutout to make more room.

[sarbin]

i believe i've read the same re: the t43 having the processor, at least for the 26xx models. not sure about the 18xx. as richk said, the part you need (or need to see if you already have) is:
- Ultrabay guide rail assembly (15.0-in., fingerprint reader)
- p/n 91P8683
- hmm pg 188
along with the appropriate bezel.

hth.

[agarza]

If I recall correctly if your laptop originally didn't came with FPR and you install a palmrest with FPR on it IT WONT WORK. So save the hassle, neither of all the Thinkpads I have owned had FPR.

[Harryc]

That is not true. I have put FPR's on non-FPR T4X Thinkpads before. I agree that you do need the special Ultrabay cage though. The bottom line is that I'd check for the FPR connector on the board. If it is there, it will work.

[richk]

Harry: There is no extra connector. There is a chip on the motherboard (biometric co-processor) I have tried both 18xx and 2xxx T43 boards, but not every FRU. Most T42 boards don't have the chip.

[Johan]

Just an additional comment:

In my post above, I linked to the motherboard (39T0476) that is used in the OP’s intended T43, being a 2669-84U. Now, if checking through the System service parts - ThinkPad T43, T43p a few other of the other T43's mentioned to also use this motherboard, and if substituting the "x" by "U" (the models sold in the USA), then the following do all have a fingerprint reader: 2669-44U and 2669-4DU and 2669-83U and 2686-DFU and 2686-DGU and 2686-DHU… I didn’t bother to check ”fingerprint-reader or not” in all the T43’s using the 39T0476, just a few to ”establish evidence”.

Hence, in my ”opinion”, this sort of points in the direction that at least the motherboard itself in the 2669-84U should have the biometric co-processor!

Johan