Fingerprint at power up

[AndyR]

I have had a quick look through the BIOS and cant see a way to have fingerprint as the main power-up security?

Is this an option, so for example. You power on, fingerprint to get past BIOS, then windows loads straight onto desktop. I was sure I read this was possible but I could only find password and if "fingerprint was required at longon" (i think thats what it said) but neither worked?

[corvette]

Maybe worth checking here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13231

[LegendaryKA8]

What you need to do first is go into your BIOS and create a boot password(I usually do boot, BIOS, and HDD passwords but I'm admittedly a bit of a security freak). When that is done boot back into Windows and run the Lenovo fingerprint software(make sure you have a Windows password as well). It'll walk you through enrolling your fingerprints, and above each 'finger' icon you'll notice a check box. Marking those check boxes enables that finger to be scanned instead of manually entering your passwords. I believe the first time you use a specific finger for the power on scan, you have to manually enter the passwords as well. After that, you won't need to do that.

For me, it's a good feature. It allows me to use incredibly complex, long passwords all around and have access to an otherwise locked system with just a swipe of my finger.

[AndyR]

thanks for your reply,

I have my fingerprint set up to use instead of my windows password (works perfectly) and have gone into BIOS and have a power on password set up (using the same password) but when i power up it only accepts my password, the fingerprint reader doesnt even boot up (light doesnt come on) until the windows logon screen (then still takes a few seconds)

is this normal or have i missed a setting somewhere?

[LegendaryKA8]

Which ThinkPad are you using? Are you using the fingerprint reader on the notebook, or an external one?

You may have to go into the BIOS and make sure the setting that specifies that the FP reader is used with the BIOS password is turned on(I'm pretty sure it's under the security tab; I'm currently using my X200 and don't have my T500 handy to poke through its BIOS). If you're using an external FP reader, there's also a setting that allows you to give the external one 'priority' over the internal unit.

Or if you haven't done so yet, make sure the 'Power-on' check box over the fingerprint profiles in the Lenovo software are checked. That will also turn on the power-on security for the BIOS as well.

[AndyR]

im using a X201

On the BIOS I cant see a setting to use FP over password. I can select FP prioirty (ex or int) but thats about it,

On the FP software in windows it has a X in the box for each finger I use to allow power on/HDD passwords.

Bits confused really, I must be missing omething in the BIOS

[AndyR]

fixed,

not sure how i just readded a new finger as an option rebooted and now works, one fingerprint gets through power on, HDD and windows passwords in one go.....much easier