Using the fingerprint reader only for login on Asus M70VM?

Hi guys

How do I setup both XP and Vista so that if I start them up they wait for me to scan only my fingerprint before logging me in.

Currently I have no passwords set in Vista or XP so it goes straight to dekstop but if I make the Asus security app that allows the fingerprint login manage logon it allows me to either scan my fingerprint or click on my username in Vista and in XP I have to enter a password or scan my finger...

All I want to do is boot up, swipe my finger and go, I don't wany any other options such as password entry appearing and I don't want to just be able to click on my username to get in...

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

 

What if you disable auto-logon? That should leave you with either the fingerswipe, or the password.

 

Er ok, dumb question, how do I disbable auto-logon?

 

In my experience with the software on my C90S all it does is register your finger print and associate a password with it.

It sort of auto types the password, so not sure if you can make it so that you can use the finger print software without a password.

Also bad luck happens, like when I was doing a new kitchen floor the damage to my finger prints from scraping the floor, it would not read my fingers for a month. So good thing I still had the option to type my password.

 

Yes, the choice between the finger swipe and the password should be either-or.

That is not a dumb question. I do not know how to do it for the "default" user that you create when you go through the initial Windows configuration process. What I do is I remove that user ASAP and login as Administrator, always. Auto-logon is disabled for Admin.

Another way to do it, at least in XP, is to disable the Welcome screen, and use the old-style logon screen, which is more secure. Among others, this disallows the simple click-to-login procedure.

Try Windows Help?

 

Well ok. I just tried disabling the auto-logon (answered my own question again by googling...)

And it wasn't accepting my fingerprint as a logon (despite it giving a green arrow) and asked me to enter my password anyway.

I thought the idea was that you can logon just by scanning your finger, the fingerprint is recognised when I login into the Asus security app after I've booted into my desktop without having a password.

Now I'm confused, and the help feature of the app isn't much help, as usual...

 

Ok so I found out what the problem was- I had an incorrect password set as a credential within the Asus security app.

I changed it to match my windows password and now fingerprint logon works fine but I still get the option to use a password.

I'd like my logon to be as secure as possible, i.e. if my notebook is stolen the theives have to take my finger with them, I thought that was the idea in having biometric security...

...but I guess if my fingerprint wears out (which can happen) at least I have a backup way of logging on, but I think that kinda makes the fingerprint scanner a bit redundant unless I'm missing some of the more helpful features of the Asus security app...

Of course I could try installing the smartlogon app (in XP, it's already on Vista) and try setting that as my logon manager, then anyone who nicks my notebook would need my head

 

I think the idea about this fingerprint, in the way the app is developed, is more of a convenience rather than extra security.

Also, SmartLogon is a bad joke. People have logged in with photos instead of their real selves.

All this biometric stuff on consumer (and even business) notebooks is more hype than useful. I'm sure if a professional thief steals the notebook, or it gets to such a professional in the end, a fingerprint reader will not stop them...

The bottom line is. Use a strong password. Forget this biometric fancy, useless stuff.

And even more importantly. What the fingerprint reader does is authenticate you in Windows. It does nothing to stop a thief from removing the harddrive, plugging it into a different computer, and getting all your data. People often fail to understand this. A Windows logon password is no protection at all from someone with physical access to the computer.

What you need for that is, in order of increasing security:

a) HDD password, with the ATA security set to Maximum. This way, there is NO feasible way short of a cleanroom removal of the HDD platters that anyone will get access to your data. Unfortunately ASUS BIOSes do not support switching the ATA security level. Even so, just setting the user password is pretty secure and will provide an effective showstopper for most opportunist thieves. Access to the HDD requires the Master password, which the HDD manufacturers do not widely publicize, and typically you need proof of purchase to get the password communicated to you.

b) Encrypted volume. Use TrueCrypt for that. Drop your most sensitive data there.

c) Full-disk encryption. For HDDs without firmware support for this, results in a performance penalty which is not justifiable for most users.

I use a) + b).

 

Just like EBE said its a convince thing, it lets you have an ultra long high security password and instead of typing it in you can scan your finger.

However as for as security goes, I think I could break into a machine with a finger print reader much easier than one with just a good password.

Id never guess the password so I would have to use alternate means to get in (there are ways) but with the finger print reader, id probably get in easy with just a fingerprint duster kit and a piece of tape. That or my digital camera.

Take your prints off a key and make a copy, trust me it works.

Thats also what I tried to tell you above, it does not magically change windows logon program and let you use a fingerprint, it just auto types the password for you basically and it is very possible to have it not read your fingers if you damage them so you would really want a manual password entry as a backup. Imagine your computer locking you out??

 

I'll give you two right now:
a) boot a live linux CD, it automounts the Windows partitions. Copy data on a USB drive.
b) remove harddrive and put it in an enclosure, copy data on another computer.

Again, Windows logon does not protect from people with physical access to the computer. They will not be able to run the OS, but they will access the data just fine.

 

And thats why Asus has data safes where you can encrypt data. So guess if your somebody thats got sensitive data make use of it

Infact the same software that was used for the finger print reader had a very good encryption that also tied to your fingerprint.

the G50V I now have has a data safe but I do not think it encrypts the data at all just "locks" it for windows use without a password.

 

Lucky I don't have anything that I need to be secure, I just thought the fingerprint reader was a little bit more than just "showing off".

Oh well, ce la vie.

 

I though that the Fingerprint Reader was a easiear way to perform the Login. Is abit annoying to type the password, a quick swype would be much easier.

But the problem is: I have to swype it like 20 times before it is recognized. It seems the technology is a long way from being usefol. Also, the positioning of the reader between the keys (in Asus Models at least) make it harder to press both buttons at the same time (emulate third button).

 

how do i set up the finger swipe log on for the Asus M70VM?

 

Odd - on the V1S when you first log on it asks you to register some fingers. Do that, and from that point on you can just log straight on without any fuss or trouble.

It's pretty reliable too - might need to wet my finger by dabbing it on my tounge and then, but I find it a lot faster and easier than typing even my relatively short password.

I'm sold on the fingerprint scanner to such a degree that I find it's lack on my loaner laptop a real pain.

 

no but iv already got a print saved and i want to get another 1 saved.. is that possible?

 

It was possible on the V1S.