can't register fingerprint w/ T61 on vista

[kenyee]

Is there a trick to sliding your finger on the sensor to get it to be recognized?

I bring up the fingerprint registration app, slide different fingers on it, and none of them register (it's stuck on the first finger scan in the registration UI, as if I never slid any finger across the sensor).

Vista claims the fingerprint reader is working properly. I thought it was some bios update at first when I got the laptop, but after finally getting all the updates to install, it still won't scan my fingerprint...

[DAH]

I'm sorry but you are confusing me. Just what are you trying to do and where? You need to scan the same finger three times And each time you'll be told if it was successful or not. Are you attempting to scan the same finger, not different ones? Are any successful?

Or is it after you complete the scanning process, that it fails to register, that is another issue, that generally comes from dual booting and trying to use it in more than one OS at the same time.

Are your fingers dry? Try soaking your fingers first, if your skin is too dry it seems to be harder to do. Be sure the sensor area is clean and there is no dust there.

[erik]

open Control Panel > Fingerprint Sensor, then when the panel opens click on the Finger Test tab.   this will allow you to test your finger real-time to see if the sensor is reading your print correctly.

[kenyee]

Thanks, erik. That was just what I was looking for. Apparently, I have a bum fingerprint reader...it only gets a partial read 1 out of 10 times; the rest of the time, that test area is blank. I tried pressing harder on it, breathing on the sensor to moisten it in case my skin is too dry, etc. but no luck. Even had someone else try it with the same results

DAH: in the fingerprint enrollment app, it lets you choose which finger you want to register, then it has you scan your finger three times. It doesn't see my finger scans...when it does, it keeps saying "too short". I can never even get to the 2nd swipe during the registration process

[ryengineer]

You can get yourself familiar with fingerprint reader via following documents:

Fingerprint Reader tips - ThinkPad.

How to configure Fingerprint Reader software

Report to IBM (1-800-426-7378 24/7!) if it's a bad biometric sensor.