Fingerprint Reader Deployment Question

[WilsonF]

Perhaps someone who is deploying TPs with fingerprint readers across multiple users has an answer to this question.

The fingerprint reader is somewhat sensitive to the angle between the user's finger or hand and the bezel. For example, users who enroll with the TP in a port replicator or dock sometimes have trouble getting their fingers recognized when the TP is flat on a desk in front of them.

For help desk operators, this raises the question of how to help a fingerprint-enrolled user gain access to his TP when the user is in a hotel or office far away and is frustrated. If fingerprints won't work, the only way to gain access to the machine using a UVM passphrase or Windows password) is to log in as Administrator (NOT as a user with a different username but administrator privileges, which won't be accepted) and change turn off the fingerprint reader logon in place of Windows.

But, of course, if a help desk can't give a user the administrator password because of the old "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" problem.

Users who can't log on when on the road tend to become abusive and uncooperative, with fingers pointed up not down at the fingerprint reader. If they can't get in with the fingerprint reader and can't have the admin password, what do you do?

[JohnDrake]

First, remember you can load multiple fingerprints (10 per user) from multiple users. Usually you can get one in right.

If you just hit Ctrl+Alt+Del at the fingerprint scan prompt, you get a "regular" login prompt that allows for a traditional username/password.
So, anyone in the help desk can just use "regular" credentials, even if their fingerprints were never scanned, IF they know the correct username/password. The user can put in their correct credentials this way, even if they can't draw a straight line with his/her finger...

A UVM passphrase is not necessary to do a system login. It IS necessary if you plan to use File and Folder encryption to unlock encrypted folders, EVEN if you are also going to use the fingerprint reader.

In addition to a "misaligned" finger drawn across the reader, another problem can be a finger that is "too dry"...scanner can't see it as well. Solution: exhale on your finger, scan again...

There is also a way to host fingerprints to a server, and point the system to that...but I am not an expert in that area...I think its called the IBM Fingerprint Software Server...

[pdudas]

Hi!

I have fingerprint reader on my T42.
My skin is dry, so several times I had problem.

Handwashing, licking is the solution.
Always worked.

The problem is not the angle of the finger (If I make an enroll with the right positin and my skin is dry ..... ).

I made all the enroll with my hands laying on the palmrest, so my finger moved only horizontally. You should do it!

When my finger is not dry, the reader works well.

[WilsonF]

I enrolled that way, too, but with the TP in its port replicator. When I try to swipe at home with the TP flat on a desk, I get the big red X or sometimes a question mark until I either put the TP on my lap or put a nearly-empty roll of paper towels under it so it's on the same slant as in the port replicator.

Same story with all the fingers that I enrolled.

I can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing differently depending on the angle of the bezel.

[Champ]

hrmm.. so enrol half on rep the other half on flat? problem solved