I've had it with the fingerprint reader

[Muse]

I've wasted 1/2 hour swiping my fingers across the [censored] thing this morning. How do you disable it? When I set up my new T60 a couple of months ago I swiped all 10 fingers, but the software/reader seems to be very inconsistent in the way it works. This morning it many times told me that the swipe was too short. My fingers have not grown shorter. It's baffling and disconcerting. I want to turn it off and just use a password. Indeed, currently there's no need for even that since noone is going to get access to the machine but me.

[joester]

Are you "swiping" or placing your finger over the reader and allowing it to scan?

Swiping isn't what they are made to read.
Joe

[Muse]

Ah, well maybe I have the wrong idea. What I have done from the beginning is placed the first knuckle of a finger over the reader and drawn the finger down until the tip passes over the reader. That's how I interpreted the word "swipe." Was I incorrect?? If so, how is done correctly and how can I re-swipe my fingers? I don't recall seeing any information concerning how this is supposed to be done.

[GomJabbar]

I don't recall seeing any information concerning how this is supposed to be done.

Haven't been using your ThinkVantage button have you?

Swiping your finger over the sensor

To swipe your finger over the sensor, do as follows:

Place your fingertip on the small circle above the sensor. Lay the ball (the top joint) of your finger on the sensor.

Apply light pressure and swipe your finger across the sensor in one smooth motion.

[The images don't copy]

[Muse]

I don't recall seeing any information concerning how this is supposed to be done.

Haven't been using your ThinkVantage button have you?

Swiping your finger over the sensor

To swipe your finger over the sensor, do as follows:

Place your fingertip on the small circle above the sensor. Lay the ball (the top joint) of your finger on the sensor.

Apply light pressure and swipe your finger across the sensor in one smooth motion.

[The images don't copy]

Umm, when it says "swipe your finger across the sensor" it means what? Draw horizontally (i.e. to one side or the other)? Or does it mean to draw down (i.e. toward the IBM Thinkpad logo)?

Edit: Looking in the Thinkvantage help concerning the FP reader it appears that I did use the intended method. However, I have been having considerable problems. Really, unless I can find a solution I will have to disable all fingerprint reader functionality and stick with the trusty password techniques. I believe that the described method exactly describes the technique I have been using. Maybe I shouldn't have washed and dried my hands previous to doing my original scans. I certainly don't wash my hands just previous to attempting to access my machine every time... I think I need to rescan my fingers for match prints. How do I do that?

[GomJabbar]

He, he, I don't have a fingerprint reader on my T42. In fact, I have never used one. However I have seen posts where others have had problems similar to yours. Check out the following thread.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=31669

[claudeo]

joester obviously does not have or use the fingerprint reader on a T60. With the fingerprint reader on the T60 you have to swipe. Jut placing your finger on the reader won't do anything. As the finger moves over the scanner bar, different capacitance patterns get registered and turned into a model of the fingerprint.

What works for me is putting the tip of my finger on the little dimple above the reader, then wiping straight down at a consistent speed until I feel the depression with the logo. You might want to re-register your fingerprints that way, so that you can get consistent results. Registering all 10 fingers should not be necessary. Maybe the index and middle finger of each hand, in case of possible injury that would make the original finger unavailable.

I have also found that if my skin is very dry the fingerprint reader simply does not work. Sucking my finger before sweeping does not look very good in a meeting, not to mention the health issues, so in those cases I just Ctrl-Alt-Del and type in the password.

[steveg47]

It's not sanitary but spit does work

[jeffm]

It's not sanitary but spit does work

Note to self: Never buy a used ThinkPad with a fingerprint reader!!!

[dsalyers]

Luckily, I have found the finger print reader to work very well. However, I did make the mistake of picking up a scalding hot pan with my bare hands and I couldn't use the fingerprint reader for a week because of the light burn blisters. luckily you can just hit escape to bypass the reader.

[sjhwilkes]

Yes CTRL+ALT+DELETE is a required backup.

I once spent a long weekend helping a friend build a wall - for a week afterwards I couldn't use the fingerprint scanners at the collocation facility my employer was at - had to drag unsympathetic colo employees around with me every time I needed the bathroom.

After some reading, it appears nearly 20% of people at any time have non machine readable fingerprints - hence why facial recognition is the primary identifier on the new biometric passports and fingerprints are secondary.

[steveg47]

It's not sanitary but spit does work

Note to self: Never buy a used ThinkPad with a fingerprint reader!!!

Note to self: Always buy a replacement palmrest when buying a used Thinkpad with a fingerprint reader

[Muse]

Woes all day with my fingerprint reader.

Once the [censored] machine makes up its mind that there's an intruder alert (says in 55 seconds if it doesn't pass a fingerprint scan it will signal intruder) it will not accept a fingerprint, doesn't make a [censored] bit of difference which finger I use or how much I spit on it. I have to believe the software is FU. I want to rescan my fingers. How do I do that? I'm going to scan two fingers, not ten. That way I have a better chance of getting by Cerberus.

[Muse]

So, I go into the CSS and do the fingerprint reader tutorial. I watch exactly how it's done in the video. Then I do the practice session where you do 3 reads in succession. I've done dozens of them and every single one says bad! WTF If this goes on, I'll have to disable it entirely and go with a password. This is ridiculous. I can't be wasting my days with a feature that makes it impossible to access my machine. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't go into suspend all the time.

[Muse]

joester obviously does not have or use the fingerprint reader on a T60. With the fingerprint reader on the T60 you have to swipe. Jut placing your finger on the reader won't do anything. As the finger moves over the scanner bar, different capacitance patterns get registered and turned into a model of the fingerprint.

What works for me is putting the tip of my finger on the little dimple above the reader, then wiping straight down at a consistent speed until I feel the depression with the logo. You might want to re-register your fingerprints that way, so that you can get consistent results. Registering all 10 fingers should not be necessary. Maybe the index and middle finger of each hand, in case of possible injury that would make the original finger unavailable.

I have also found that if my skin is very dry the fingerprint reader simply does not work. Sucking my finger before sweeping does not look very good in a meeting, not to mention the health issues, so in those cases I just Ctrl-Alt-Del and type in the password.

Oddly Ctrl-Alt-Del does not ask me for a password, it asks me to swipe my finger!

[pianowizard]

That's why even though my T60 has a fingerprint reader, I have never used it and will never use it. Typing the password probably takes only half a second longer.

[Muse]

That's why even though my T60 has a fingerprint reader, I have never used it and will never use it. Typing the password probably takes only half a second longer.

You are a wise man.

[Muse]

It's not sanitary but spit does work

Note to self: Never buy a used ThinkPad with a fingerprint reader!!!

Actually one reason I got it was because one poster asserted it would enhance the value of a TP for resale. Actually, it was a free option during the holiday sale. I may disable it, however. Certainly will if I can't tame this beast.

[ronbo613]

My T30 does not have a fingerprint scanner, but the fitness club I belong to decided to put a fingerprint scanner with a turnstile instead of checking a photo ID card for entry into the club.
It only works about 25% of the time.
You all are not alone............

[gator]

I have no trouble with the fingerprint reader - after I learnt how to swipe. You have to apply some pressure (not too much) and you have to "drag" your finger without "lifting" it - I find that using my left forefinger from near the tip to just after the topmost bend always works - a portion of circular pattern on your fingertip is probabl the best to register and use. I have also found that using the right thumb almost always works - this is uncomfortable while using on the lap, but if you are using the thinkpad on a table, try it out and let us know.

Using the fingerprint reader feels a bit awkward at first, but after you register your fingerprint at the right "angle" and learn to swipe, it never fails. Usually what happens is that people register their fingerprints "falt" and swipe from an angle, typically lifting their fingertip or keeping it angled when they swipe. Just try out various angles and learn to swipe.

[csv96]

Does anyone know how to disable the Fingerprint software without installing it? I don't use a login password and everytime the computer boots to Windows, the Fingerprint software 1) asks me to turn on windows login password and 2) asks me to register a fingerprint. I can't find any option to turn this off.

[dsalyers]

Does anyone know how to disable the Fingerprint software without installing it? I don't use a login password and everytime the computer boots to Windows, the Fingerprint software 1) asks me to turn on windows login password and 2) asks me to register a fingerprint. I can't find any option to turn this off.

Yeah, that little check mark box does nothing on that first screen. If you look under preferences (or settings) there is another option that is checked which brings the security manager up upon boot. Clear this checkmark and it won't pop up anymore. Sorry can't be more specific, I am not at the machine right now.

[robegusn]

After getting used to the Thinkpad I de-bloated anything that slowed down the system. The Security Center and the Finger Print software were among the first to go along with Picassa and Google Desktop.

My base image includes:
Thinkpad Power Manager
Thinkpad UltraNav
Thinkpad Active protection
eScan Antivirus
Sygate personal Firewall (last free version)Foxit PDF Reader
Sonic Record Now 7 -> this uninstalls the version that comes with the Thinkpad and replaces it with the full version
WinRescueXP
Diskeeper -> full version replaces the included "Lite"
Irfanview
Cygwin
Office, etc.ect.

All the other Thinkpad utilities are still installed, but have any autostart disabled. Only the Finger Print software and the security client were uninstalled.

I then run Bootvis, delete all the temporary and junk files, defrag the hard drive and run Bootvis one last time. My final step is to use TrueImage and make an image of the entire disk including the recovery partition.

Once optimized the boot time drops down to about a minute to get the Desktop, but it still takes about another minute until the system is fully ready and everything is loaded.

[steveg47]

New book coming out "Finger Swiping For Dummies" $39.95 (Digital Press)

[claudeo]

I guess fingerprint swiping is not for everyone. Some people (myself included) can't stay on a moving skateboard. Some (myself included) can't carry a tune. Some (myself not included) can't swipe a fingerprint...

[steveg47]

I guess fingerprint swiping is not for everyone. Some people (myself included) can't stay on a moving skateboard. Some (myself included) can't carry a tune. Some (myself not included) can't swipe a fingerprint...

Humor aside, it is possible that you have a defective fingerprint reader. Contact Lenovo support and explain the situation and they will in all probability send you a new palmrest with FP reader.

[brikeh]

What works for me is putting the tip of my finger on the little dimple above the reader, then wiping straight down at a consistent speed until I feel the depression with the logo..

Thats exactly what I do, seems to work fine.

[Aizar]

Well, I had problems with the sensor until I re-read the "apply slight pressure" part of the instructions. It seems that your finger needs to be in contact with those two metal strips above and below the scanner for it to work -- or at least when you just try to glide your finger over, it doesn't read it properly.

But I have another problem with the software -- namely after updating the Client Security Solution 7.00.0022, I have to press ctrl-alt-del EVERY time i boot the laptop up to access the fingerprint reader.

So, it goes like this:
1) press power
2) it goes through detecting embedded chip etc until the point where it says "Press ctrl-alt-del to use your password to log in" -- above that previously was a message about scanning your finger -- now there is only "Please wait..." line. It can sit in this state forever
3) I press ctrl-alt-del, get the screen with username/machine and text saying something like "Press OK to scan prints/Cancel to enter password"
4) I press enter, the (new/with graphics) fingerprint scanning screen comes up, I scan the print and system logs me in fine.

Anyone else has similar issues?

[Muse]

To boot, I have to pass the FP scan twice now!

Yesterday I had to boot in Safe Mode to troubleshoot a problem I'm having. Ever since doing that, when booting in normal mode I'm asked to scan my finger twice! As if once isn't enough.

I'm finding the software unsettlingly inconsistent in the screens presented. I've seen at least 3 different looks to the FP scanning software. The one I used to get just had a message to scan. Then there's at least two different ones that have a graphic of a finger. After a successful scan of the first I see a graphic checkmark and it says "Succeeded" followed by a screen that has my user name and the name of my computer presented in a dropdown list. The list has only one entry! I click OK and then I'm asked to scan again and another "Succeeded" appears. This succession of events happens every time I boot now. What is going on?

[DavidR]

Sorry to hear of you troubles. Here is a positive story. Mine works great! Of course, it's only 2 months old.....