Fingerprint reader sometimes unresponsive

Message

Tim M · #1 Post by **Tim M** » Fri May 06, 2011 7:35 pm

I've been using my T410 mostly on AC power since buying it, and when I put it to sleep, the power button pulsates and the green light on the fingerprint reader is on. Swiping my finger starts the computer as expected.

On battery there is the same situation, except swiping my finger does not reliably awaken the computer. Usually, the fingerprint reader does not respond.

I've checked the power scheme settings and don't see anything obvious. Any thoughts on what I'm missing?

Tim M · #2 Post by **Tim M** » Sun May 08, 2011 3:58 pm

I've done some more information gathering and have additional observations.

The issue seems to be that the fingerprint reader does not recognize the finger swipe, which seems to occur under both AC and battery operation--but more reliably on battery power. I've tried clearing and re-enrolling fingerprints several times to limited success. I've wiped the surface of the sensor to ensure that it is free of dirt. The only other thing I can think of as cause would be variable ambient lighting conditions.

Is this normal operation for the fingerprint sensor, or is this an unfortunate warranty issue?

The title of the thread has been adjusted to reflect new data.

killer · #3 Post by **killer** » Sun May 08, 2011 5:02 pm

I've given up on my fingerprint reader. I only have to spend five minutes weeding in the garden and the thing can't recognise me because I have mud on my finger or I have scraped or scratched my digits. As long as I can remember my password it is far quicker to type that in.

Tim M · #4 Post by **Tim M** » Sun May 08, 2011 5:08 pm

I was wondering how sensitive it would be to things like that (scrapes or just plain dry skin).

I've enrolled a second finger as a workaround and will see how that goes.

So much for the cool factor, then.

Colonel O'Neill · #5 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Sun May 08, 2011 7:03 pm

You could try turning down the detection sensitivity in the Lenovo Fingerprint Software. Mine used to reject it when my fingers were wet, so I kept turning it down until the false negative rate was low enough.

Tim M · #6 Post by **Tim M** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:19 pm

Colonel O'Neill wrote:You could try turning down the detection sensitivity in the Lenovo Fingerprint Software. Mine used to reject it when my fingers were wet, so I kept turning it down until the false negative rate was low enough.

I do not see a sensitivity setting in my version of the Fingerprint Software (Windows 7). Where should I be looking?

Thanks,

Tim

Colonel O'Neill · #7 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:26 pm

I think it's labelled as something between Convenient and Secure. My FPR died due to repeated drops to that corner, so I don't have the software installed, nor is my memory good enough to recall the dialog boxes.

Tim M · #8 Post by **Tim M** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:32 pm

Colonel O'Neill wrote:I think it's labelled as something between Convenient and Secure. My FPR died due to repeated drops to that corner, so I don't have the software installed, nor is my memory good enough to recall the dialog boxes.

Ah. I see those choices and am currently set to "Convenient," which I (perhaps naively) assume to be the less sensitive one. Is that correct?

Colonel O'Neill · #9 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:42 pm

That is indeed correct. I remember having trouble with it on or near Secure if I tried to unlock my laptop immediately after washing my hands.

Tim M · #10 Post by **Tim M** » Sun May 08, 2011 10:50 pm

Thanks. Good to know that I have the setting correct.

Too bad about the dodgy swipe recognition, though. My skin has been dry these last few days, so perhaps the sensor is reading all those cracks as extra ridge detail.

I would have to rate the fingerprint reader as not a mature technology just yet.

Thanks,

Tim

blackomegax · #11 Post by **blackomegax** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:32 am

Tim M wrote: I would have to rate the fingerprint reader as not a mature technology just yet.

Tim

dunno, compared to my X40, the T420's reader is far better.

Tim M · #12 Post by **Tim M** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:46 am

blackomegax wrote:dunno, compared to my X40, the T420's reader is far better.

Well, with my T410 it seems like it's a roll of the dice as to whether my fingerprint will be considered mine or not. The flakiness renders the feature almost useless.

blackomegax · #13 Post by **blackomegax** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:57 am

Yeah, all i can say has been said.
re-enroll or turn security to minimal gummy-bear accepting setting.

Tim M · #14 Post by **Tim M** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:24 am

blackomegax wrote:Yeah, all i can say has been said.
re-enroll or turn security to minimal gummy-bear accepting setting.

I have been re-enrolling (and adding a second finger as well) and will keep doing so in the hope of hitting a Lenovo-approved sweet spot.

Colonel O'Neill · #15 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:35 am

Could be worse. Could be the AuthenTec readers that took half a minute to initialize on the Tx00/Wx00 machines.

hunterman223 · #16 Post by **hunterman223** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:51 am

Colonel O'Neill wrote:Could be worse. Could be the AuthenTec readers that took half a minute to initialize on the Tx00/Wx00 machines.

Is that standard on all of those models, including my upcoming T400?

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Colonel O'Neill · #17 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:23 am

Yeah... All the other ones were UPEK.

Supposedly, if you let Windows manage the fingerprint reader, it works out fine.

hunterman223 · #18 Post by **hunterman223** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:39 pm

Colonel O'Neill wrote:Yeah... All the other ones were UPEK.

Supposedly, if you let Windows manage the fingerprint reader, it works out fine.

I didn't know that was possible. How do I set windows to manage it? And will I still be able to log on by swiping my finger?

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Colonel O'Neill · #19 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Tue May 10, 2011 1:40 am

I think you just avoid installing the Lenovo fingerprint package and just grab some driver straight from AuthenTec. You still login at the login prompt via fingerprint, but it is no longer Lenovo branded. You also won't be able to do the single sign-on thing either.

hunterman223 · #20 Post by **hunterman223** » Tue May 10, 2011 10:41 am

What exactly is single sign on? My understanding is that I swipe my finger at the power on password if one is set, and then windows is logged in automatically. Is that correct?

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

Colonel O'Neill · #21 Post by **Colonel O'Neill** » Tue May 10, 2011 10:57 am

Pretty much.

hunterman223 · #22 Post by **hunterman223** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:03 am

Thanks. I'll see how it goes then. T400 still isn't here, estimated delivery 5/11/11.

hunterman223 · #23 Post by **hunterman223** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:52 pm

My fingerprint reader is working great!

I was a little apprehensive, since I was looking forward to using the reader, but it takes at max 5 seconds, and that has only happened once after windows update. I am using Lenovo fingerprint software with single sign on enabled, and any time I need to log in at the windows prompt it normally takes ~2 seconds.