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    Disable Fingerprint Reader

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by dpilot83, Feb 8, 2008.

  1. dpilot83

    dpilot83 Notebook Consultant

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    When I bought my XPS 1330 to take advantage of the best deal I had no option but to get a fingerprint reader. I don't want it. I don't want the software consuming resources and I don't want Windows constantly popping up telling me to install drivers for it. I'll be wiping the Windows partitions and setting up XP and Vista again here soon. Should I just disable it in the Device Manager or should I take it apart and physically disconnect the reader? Any other options? Thanks.
     
    dpilot83, Feb 8, 2008
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  2. chelet

    chelet Notebook Deity

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    Can you disable it in the BIOS?
     
    chelet, Feb 8, 2008
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  3. dpilot83

    dpilot83 Notebook Consultant

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    I couldn't find such an option and I looked several times but if anyone else can find it and tell me I'd be very happy.
     
    dpilot83, Feb 8, 2008
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  4. freefisheater

    freefisheater Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    In the BIOS (F2 at boot), scroll down to Security. Near the bottom of that sublist, You'll find two TPM listings. If you see that it's activated and enabled, first make sure you don't need the TPM to login at your OS. Otherwise, simply deactivate the TPM in the TPM Activation menu and save and exit the BIOS. When the system reboots again, go into the BIOS one last time and scroll down to the TPM menu to disable the actual chip.

    When you log into windows, you'll sii that the Device Manager will no longer find the TPM. :) Fell free to uninstall all related software. :)
     
    freefisheater, Feb 8, 2008
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  5. dpilot83

    dpilot83 Notebook Consultant

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    Wow....TPM.....That's awesome. Thanks :D
     
    dpilot83, Feb 9, 2008
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  6. dpilot83

    dpilot83 Notebook Consultant

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    I spoke too soon. There is no TPM under Security or anywhere else in the BIOS on my XPS 1330. Any other ideas?
     
    dpilot83, Feb 9, 2008
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  7. freefisheater

    freefisheater Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    Hm. That's very strange. But the TPM and Biometrics Scanner are in your Device Manager?

    Under Biometric, you should find a TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor (or something similar). Under Security Devices, you should find Broadcom trusted Platform Module (A2), v1.2 (most likely a specific model for my system, but you should see something similar.)

    And I'm just curious, but have you actually tested the fingerprint reader or the TPM itself? I ask, because maybe the scanner hardware is there, and maybe the software is there too, but the actual TPM may be absent! That MIGHT explain its absence from the BIOS.
     
    freefisheater, Feb 10, 2008
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  8. dpilot83

    dpilot83 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I'm unsure of the answers right now and won't have time to look into if for maybe a day but I'll let you know what I find tomorrow. Thanks again for your help on this issue.
     
    dpilot83, Feb 10, 2008
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