Slow fingerprint reader "Please Wait..." (W500, also T400/T500?)

Hello!

When I got my W500 last semester I chose to get a model with the fingerprint reader since I though I'd save time on logging in from sleep, compared to typing my password every time.

The fingerprint reader sure works as advertised, but my main gripe is that I often have to wait 25-30 seconds for the fingerprint reader to "get ready" before I can swipe. This feels very pointless since if I have to wait 20 seconds every time I log in i might as well type my password in that time, eliminating the main reason to have a fingerprint reader in the first place.

With this thread I just want to check whether my reader is working as designed, or it is just my laptop that has this issue. Is it supposed to take 20-30 seconds to "Warm up" before it can be used? I don't notice any big difference in this between cold booting and starting from hibernation/sleep.

I've been having a lot of trouble with my laptop acting up, and this is merely one of the minor inconveniences, but I dont know if it is rooted in the other hardware problems I'm struggling with.

I'm using 32bit Vista with the latest updates and drivers. The W500 has a T9400, 2GB RAM and most of the extra options (N networking, BT, Turbo Memory 2GB)

 

If it makes you feel any better, my T61 does this on rare occasions. Just, as you said, give it a few seconds, and you will be able to swipe your prints.
I LOVE the fingerprint reader on this machine, it's unbelievable !

 

How often do you have to wait that long? I have a different ThinkPad, but it should be ready almost instantly or a few seconds at most. Are you sure you have the latest Fingerprint software?

Do you have any USB devices attached when this happens?

 

I don't usually have to wait 25-30 seconds, but 5-10 seconds is not that uncommon. Like you, I sometimes use the normal method of keying in my password to save time.

However, when I am in tablet mode, or in a location where I think someone is trying to look over my shoulder as I type, the fingerprint reader is invaluable.

 

Hi,

my T400 had/has the same problem. What helped me is to tell Vista to reset the usb stack after standby / hibernation.
This KB article explains the procedure: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928631/en-us

Nevertheless it takes 1-10s for the reader to get ready, which is quite disappointing as i am probably able to type my password faster than that.

(All on a clean installed Vista x64)

Greetz!
M.T.

 

You really think that's the main reason to use biometrics?