8530w fingerprint reader just disappeared, and issues with suspend

Just the other day, I was using the fingerprint reader in my EliteBook, when it suddenly refused to log me into the pre-boot authentication; I had to use a password, instead. Now, it seems my fingerprint reader has (electrically) ceased to exist -- it doesn't appear in device manager under Windows or in lsusb under Linux, and the option to "Swipe Finger or Choose Token" at the preboot authentication screen. Does anyone know what would cause this? The first candidate I can think of is the motherboard.

In addition, my system has started behaving oddly when resuming from suspend -- most of the time, resuming from suspend results in the laptop hard-rebooting about 1/2 second later, and then loop back to the BIOS logo a couple of times before going on and booting.

My question: do I just have to send it in for repair, or is there something else I can do?

P.S.: When I bought the laptop customized, HP did not offer the option for a webcam; ideally, I'd really like to just pay them the difference and have them add a webcam while they're taking the thing apart, anyway. Is there any way to get HP to do this? If anything, they could probably just swap the GPU with another laptop (a preconfigured one with same specs, but nvidia), so I'd have the same specs with ATI, and now a webcam.

 

Doesn't sound to good.... you *might* try re-flashing the BIOS, but I don't know how well that'll work.

Just curious, what happens when you try to install drivers for the fingerprint reader? (Try using "add new hardware")

 

"Add Hardware" just gives a message that the chosen INF file doesn't contain drivers for 64-bit systems -- but that's not true.

I've also tried flashing the BIOS to F.06 and back to F.04, with no change. I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with the motherboard. I've also had the rfkill switch become "wedged" so that Bluetooth and Wifi cannot both be enabled at the same time.

Mostly, I just want to make sure that if I send the thing off for however long it takes to fix, I'll get something out of it, such as the webcam; I'd be reasonably willing to pay a bit more than the +$35 it would've been at build time (it wasn't available then) to add it now. I'd also want to stay with the LG (LP154WU1-TLC2) panel, because I've heard the alternative is not as good. Does anybody have experience trying to get this sort of thing from HP?

Also, I want to add on-site service... but the warranty lookup tool is broken -- try to find model KW950AV in here: http://www.hp.com/go/lookuptool/

 

I've decided to just send the thing in for service; now my question changes to this: Since it seems HP has a policy not to allow upgrades during repair operations, how can I add the internal webcam to the laptop now?
If I look on partsurfer.hp.com, they only sell complete display assemblies, with the LCD panel; I don't want to have to pay 200 bucks for a new LCD when all I want is the webcam and display bezel. I could always buy the new panel and sell the old one, but that's a hassle.
I could also buy the new display assembly, laser-engrave it, and keep the old one around as a spare, but I don't currently have anything I'd want to engrave -- the brushed metal is so nice that I don't really want to do anything to it.
Is there ANY reasonable way to add the webcam now?