The broken fingerprint reader

[FizzleDizzle]

I placed a service call with Lenovo over the broken fingerprint reader everyone, including me, seems to be experiencing. It pops up every two seconds with a "scanned too quickly" message. (This problem has been reported all over the internet.)

I have same-day, onsite service, so I expected they would either bring me a new one or tell me it was a software problem. As it turns out, they are well aware of it and say it is a software bug they are trying to fix for a future system update. No ETA.

The number of bugs with the T400 is quite annoying. Totally reminds me of the early days with the T60P. (That took at least 10 firmware upgrades and numerous software updates to become stable.)

[kingweb]

No kidding!?
They told you it was software?

I guess software problem is better than hardware problem.

I haven't had a chance to call lenovo for it yet. I wonder what they will tell me. Often you can get a different answer if you speak with a different rep.

[FizzleDizzle]

Given that people have reported replacing the hardware didn't fix the problem and I was elevated to a 2nd level tech support person, I'm guessing it's either software or they simply don't have a hardware fix yet. Regardless, I'm stuck typing in my password until they work it out. Now, if they could just get the WAN modem to stop turning itself on and have the touchpad remember that I've shut it off, (and when my replacement keyboard arrives), I'll be less grumpy.

The main thing going for this machine is its display. Best I've ever seen on a laptop. (Yes, it's the backlit LCD.) The dynamic range is amazing.

[lew2]

My apologies in advance for asking an "is it plugged in?" level question, but have you cleaned the fingerprint reader?

The one time mine acted up like this on my T400 it had acquired a little bit of spooge. A quick wipe with a soft cloth and it was back in business working fine.

One other thought might be to try reseating the connector.

[FizzleDizzle]

Yup, I've cleaned it. First thing I tried. Didn't help.

The reader does work in one sense, i.e., it can learn and read my fingerprints. However, it constantly receives spurious inputs. Given how many people are complaining about this, it seems like a widespread problem.

[truk]

Has anybody tried any alternate drivers? I'm not looking forward to having my laptop arrive at the end of the month with a buggy fingerprint reader. Still, all thinkpads seem to have one main issue (ram slot, inductors, gpu, you get the picture.) It wouldn't be so bad if this was it for the t400...

[732]

and have the touchpad remember that I've shut it off, (and when my replacement keyboard arrives), I'll be less grumpy.

You need to have the ultranav running. Otherwise it will forget it's state and work after reboot. When you install the ultranav utility and driver, it puts something to the startup list and you shouldn't delete it if you want to keep your touchpad turned off.