Software or Hardware Issue

[CoolBean]

Hey

OK, firstly, these are the technical details of my machine (I am not sure what is relevant and what is not, so let me know if there is anything more I should add to diagnose the problem):

Machine : ThinkPad T60

OS : XP
OS Version : 5.10.2600 Service Pack 2
Processor : x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 2
: Intel Core 2
CPU : 1833 Mhz
Memory : 1, 046, 892 kb (elsewhere it says 1022MB)
BIOS Version : 2.13
Machine Type : 2007FVG
Hard Disc Capacity: 109 088 MB

Also installed is a 'Wide viewing angle and High Definition FlexView Display 1400x1050" driver.

It also has a sticker saying "Graphics by ATI".

There are a couple of issues:

1. I first received the machine out of the box. It already had Windows XP installed, but it asked me to configure some stuff, so I scanned my fingerprints in. This then allowed me to log on to the machine using my fingerprint.

It also asked me to create a SecureVolume (or something like that) which I did and then created some folders and added some personal stuff to the Secure Volume.

After that, the tech guy at the office then configured the machine to our network and e-mail etc.

Now, I have to use the 'Ctrl-Alt-Del' to log on! It does not use the fingerprint reader anymore!!!

How can I set it up so that I don't have to type the password and instead use the fingerprint reader?

Also, now I can't access the SecureVolume! It used to have a drive letter 'R' attached to it, but now it does not even appear in Windows Explorer! There is a file called SecureDrive.vol, but how does one open that? It only lists the C: and CD drives!!!

Where has it gone to?

2. The other issue is the graphics/screen size. I have set the screen resolution to 1400x1050 pixels and Highest (32) Colour Quality. Anything else makes the screen look a little fuzzy.

I have set the 3D FlowerBox as my screen saver, but the folwerbox appears to be 'rough' looking at the edges (not smooth and nice)!

What's with that? Also, if I use one of the standard desktop backgrounds, it appears slightly fuzzy, not clear and sharp as in previous (older) machines.

I think I have a 15" screen (it's much bigger than the previous T40).

Also, the text in the Menus don't look as sharp as before.

Please help...

Many many thanks in advance.

[snife]

I thought the 3d flowerbox edges were always a bit rough.

Lowering your screen resolution will cause it to go a bit fuzzy - this is simply a limitation as it has to make a guess of the extra pixels to fill. A similar thing could explain the desktop backgrounds as they might not be created specifically for your resolution so are being stretched.

For the text - have you checked your cleartype settings, I have found with the IPS panels, I did not like cleartype being turned on but it is a personal preference really and it might be worth playing around with.

[CoolBean]

Hey

Thanks. Where does one check the Cleartype settings?

[DAH]

I believe you have a mess on your hands at this point. IBM does not recommend upgrading Windows XP to Vista. You are suppose to delete the partition and start over. If you have the secure.vol on your hard drive then you have upgraded. The secure.vol at this point is unreadable. Hope you have copies of anything stored on it. IBM does not support SecureVolume on Vista, by the way.

[DAH]

Hey

Thanks. Where does one check the Cleartype settings?

For Vista go here, ClearType Tuner

[CoolBean]

I am using XP though, not Vista. I am using MS Office 2007 if that has anything to do with it.

Is the SecureVol still unreadable with XP?

[SLoweCSL]

In Xp, Start - Control Panel - Display.

Go to the Appearance Tab and select the "Effects" button.

In the dialog make sure "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" is checked and select ClearType from the pull down.

If you want to tune it you will have to download the Cleartype Tuner Powertoy from Microsoft's web site. I believe it is built into Vista already.