Can I add a palm rest fingerprint reader to a T420s?

[sde]

I hope someone can help...

I bought a T420s a couple of weeks ago at B&H. It has all the features I was looking for except the fingerprint reader. I've read some posts on this forum indicating that it might be possible to add it by getting a new palm rest.

The BIOS options on the machine refer to the fingerprint reader, so I suspect that support is there under the hood. But I can't find any options on the Lenovo website to buy a separate palm rest for a T420s. Does anyone know if such a thing is available, and from where it might be purchased? (And if so, is that something I should be able to install myself?)

Thanks,

David

[richk]

When I look at the service manual, it is confusing. It looks to me like they all have a fingerprint reader and that the part number is 04W1452. Since you say you don't have one, I assume the manual is just wrong and I think I need clarification befort making any suggestions, or that you have a T420 and not a T420s. What is the full model number from the sticker on the back? (xxxx-xxx)

[sde]

Thanks for investigating... it's a T420s, and the model number is 4171-52U.

David

[richk]

That model is supposed to have a FP reader. I don't know B&H. I also don't have a T420s to look at. Here is my guess, without any real knowledge. A T410s is a similar machine and has an option of a FP reader or no FP reader. You can distinguish them from the fact that the T410S has a palmrest that is separate from the keyboard bezel. (the part that goes around the back and sides of the keyboard) The T420s has a single, larger piece that serves as the kb bezel and palmrest. Perhaps the seller put T410s parts into your machine

[mixz1]

This is confusing. B&H is a highly reputable photo/video/computer/etc dealer, based in NYC. Their product specification page for the exact model quoted here, a 4171-52U, doesn't seem to mention a fingerprint reader, nor does the illustration seem to show it. Neither do CostCentral, and Office Depot. But Lenovo's own page at http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/lapto ... f-id=learn says the 420S comes with a fingerprint reader.

Could it be that certain high volume retailers can order specially configured machines to meet a price point? I know that Costco and Walmart both spell specific Sony and LG TVs that you can't find elsewhere. Maybe a conversation with B&H is in order.

[sde]

But Lenovo's own page at http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/lapto ... f-id=learn says the 420S comes with a fingerprint reader.

Right you are... I hadn't noticed that. However, the tabook:

http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/tabook.pdf

is very specific regarding the T420s 4171-52U. That model does not come with a fingerprint reader. I didn't expect to get one, nor should I have one, as far as I can tell. B&H sold me the machine described in the tabook.

I do think, however, that the machine I bought has the necessary connector and firmware to support a fingerprint reader, because the BIOS asks whether or not I want to enable it. So I'm trying to determine whether I can purchase a palm rest for a T420s that includes the fingerprint reader. I don't know a part number, nor do I know from where I can obtain such a thing.

David

[richk]

You certainly could be right. When I enter that model on the Lenovo screen, they give me the standatd T420s stuff wih a FP reader. All I can see is that there is no part number listed for a palmrest with no FP reader. The part number I posted above is the one you need

[sde]

All I can see is that there is no part number listed for a palmrest with no FP reader.

This is fascinating. I truly appreciate the help I'm getting in this thread; it's an education!

I looked in the tabook, and I compared the various T420s models with this:

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/product ... MIGR-77024

There are two keyboard bezels mentioned for the T420s: 04W1451, and 04W1452. The part you've suggested for my model (4171-52U) is indeed 04W1452. But the models calling for that part are the ones that the tabook says don't have a fingerprint reader. The other part, 04W1451, match the models that have the fingerprint reader. So that would seem to be the one to get, unless I'm missing something.

I confess that I'm concerned by one thing: the keyboard bezel assembly is noted as a part that is "not to be replaced by the customer." This being my first laptop, I confess to be skittish about taking it apart unless it will be relatively straighforward. I also have a 3-year warranty with this machine, and I don't want to do anything to invalidate it. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated!

David

[richk]

Here is the service manual:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... 241_02.pdf

On most models, the palmrest is very simple. This one is more complicated and the cables are set in a way where there is some risk of screwing it up. As far as the warranty, they usually don't complain if something unrelated needs service, but you are better off if you can do any repairs in a way that doesn't look like an untrained person did it. I also recommend putting back the way it was before getting warranty service, except for things like memory and disks. Personally, I never thought the FP units worked well enough to be very useful.

[sde]

richk,

I truly appreciate this information. Based on everything you've written, it would seem neither prudent nor necessary to attempt this project.

Thank you for your advice!

David

[Easy Wind]

just a guess but getting a machine with no fingerprint reader is only a cost savings measure, mainly to keep costs down for the users on a budget. So not too much difference than ordering a laptop with only 1 gig of RAM in it versus 2 or 4 gigs (or more). Or going 5400 RPM on the Hard Drive versus 7200, or going WXGA vs. WXGA+ etc.

The motherboard in your laptop should support that particular feature, so I don't see any reason why you couldn't buy the part you are after, install it and get the features you are after (or at least I've done this on a number of machines going back to a T42....).

Carry on.

[cyberboris]

I just installed a keyboard bezel with fingerprint reader on my T420s which had none and i can confirm it is working great. There is only one ribbon cable for the palmrest which includes the fingerprint connexion.
The keyboard bezel is a little tricky to install (about 20 screws and you have to route all the 5 cables for WiFi and WWAN) and it takes about half an hour.