Different fingerprint reader in E6400 and E6500?

When I ordered my E6400, it said on the Dell configuration pages that it would have a UPEK fingerprint reader. I am quite sure I got another fingerprint reader since it says "Broadcom USH CV w/Fingerprint Swipe Sensor" in Device Manager. When I look closely at the quotes I got from the Dell sales guy it doesn't say UPEK anywhere on the E6400 quote but it does say UPEK on the E6500 quote.

Does the E6500 have the same (non-UPEK) fingerprint reader?

Is it possible to get the E6400 with a UPEK fingerprint reader?

I would like to have a laptop with the UPEK fingerprint reader since I ordered a Dell USB UPEK fingerprint reader with my laptop that I intend to use when the computer is in the docking station. The USB UPEK fingerprint reader doesn't work with the fingerprint software on my E6400. I am not 100% sure it will work even if I would have the same brand of fingerprint reader in the laptop but I think it should increase the chance a lot.

Örjan

 

The E6500 has the option (according to the specs) of a FIPS fingerprint reader or the normal reader. This may be why the type is indicated in the order. I think the Broadcom hardware is the security chip which interfaces between the reader and the rest of the system.

There have been several issues with the security software. Did you install the latest BIOS and check for any software updates?

John

 

So you are saying that I might have a UPEK fingerprint reader on my E6400? How do I know for sure?

I believe my laptop came with the latest BIOS and latest security software. I have the A06 BIOS and the same version of the Dell Control Point software as the latest version on the Dell site.

Even the latest version of the security software seems unstable. Even before I connected my USB fingerprint reader I had problems logging in to Windows with the built-in fingerprint reader. At the CTRL-ALT-DEL screen it would accept my fingerprint but then it got stuck with the message "Wait..." and I had to hard-reset the laptop to get back. When I pressed CTRL-ALT-DEL and got to the second login page it would work to login with fingerprint without hanging the laptop.

Örjan

 

I understand that the security software is still buggy. There is discussion elsewhere, perhaps the E6400 owner's lounge (which is getting quite lengthy).
So far, I have refrained from trying to make my fingerprint reader work. I'm 98% sure that what you are seeing is caused by software problems. It might be worthwhile installing all the latest Dell ControlPoint modules in case something you have is not the latest.

There are other people (perhaps not on line today) who have more experience in this area. They may be able to suggest some fixes. Otherwise, it will be time to contact Dell support for advice on how to get it all working - that external reader must be intended to substitute for the internal one. I don't think that changing the hardware will be the solution.

Do you see any change in Device Manager when you connect the external reader? I can see a USB Human Interface Device which is not the touchpad.

John

 

Thank you for your input John.

I have spent some time today trying out different drivers and security applications and I am quite sure that the fingerprint driver in my E6400 is not compatible with standard UPEK drivers/software.

I have got my UPEK USB fingerprint reader to work with the UPEK Protector Suite QL for Vostro 1510. This software works great and seems to much more stable then the WAVE Embassy Trust Suite that the Latitudes are shipping with. However it doesn't recognize the built-in fingerprint reader in E6400 so I can switch between them when running undocked and docked and this is a bit sad.

I really would like to use the UPEK software on my laptop instead of the WAVE software. As I understand it, the FIPS certified fingerprint reader for E6500 is made by UPEK so that could be an option. If I get a good offer to downgrade to Latitude D830 with UPEK fingerprint reader that could also be an option.

It would be good to know if the FIPS fingerprint reader in E6500 or the UPEK fingerprint reader in D630/D830 works with UPEK software. I will look around in the forum to see if anyone has tried this combination.

I will contact Dell Support and/or the sales guy I ordered the laptop from and discuss options.

Örjan

 

yeah~ the wave software cannot get me through the login screen "ctrl+alt+del" and always stuck there!! almost everytime when i resume from standby mode.

and sometimes the preboot manager didn't give me any response at all... i keep swiping my finger... but just no response.... even not a message for error or cannot recognize or sth.

but so far, i still don't have time to sort it out with Dell...

 

I called Dell today and appearently E6400 can have either a UPEK fingerprint reader or another fingerprinter reader (probably Authentec) and you don't know which one you will get when you order, it depends on what Dell have in stock when they build your laptop. But on the Dell site it says UPEK fingerprint reader in the configuration tool so I think this is a bit misleading.

I told Dell that I wanted to replace my fingerprint reader with the UPEK fingerprint reader since I think there is a bigger chance of getting it to work together with my UPEK USB fingerprint reader.

But after playing around this evening with different settings/drivers and searching for information about the Credential Vault Device "Broadcom USH CV w/ Fingerprint Swipe Sensor" I don't think it will help to get the UPEK reader. It seems that Dell has connected the fingerprint reader through the Broadcom device and it will not work with software that expects a normal simple fingerprint reader.

The only chance of getting two different fingerprint readers to work is probably with a software that officially supports two readers including the one in E6400. In the documentation for the Wave Embassy Security Suite it is clearly stated that only one fingerprint reader is supported. And the UPEK Protector Suite doesn't support the fingerprint reader in E6400. So I guess I am out of luck.

I will give it one more try if I get Dell to replace my fingerprint reader but if it doesn't work I think I will give up and use my USB fingerprint reader only.

Örjan

 

I have been in contact with Dell this week to sort this out.

First Dell said they would send me a UPEK fingerprint reader to replace the fingerprint reader in my laptop. Then they said it wasn't possible to send just the fingerprint reader and that they would instead replace the entire computer instead. And finally they said they won't do that either because the UPEK fingerprint reader is not compatible with E6400. Apparently the only available fingerprint reader in E6400 is a non-UPEK model, probably Authentec.

In the configuration tool for E6400 you can still select "Touchpad with UPEK® Fingerprint Reader" though. Dell really should update the information on their site.

I got the option to return the laptop or to keep the laptop and get a cash compensation of a a little less than 5% of the price of the laptop. I went for the cash compensation. Now I will use my UPEK USB fingerprint reader only.

Örjan

 

To avoid giving false hope to anyone that might read about fingerprint readers in old threads I just want to give this update. I have been in contact with UPEK support and WAVE support regarding support for fingerprint readers in E6400/E6500.

UPEK answered that UPEK Protector Suite QL (PS QL) supports built-in UPEK swipe sensors if they are connected to the computer in the normal way but not through the Broadcom USH device. UPEK area sensors (FIPS certified) are not supported by the current version of PS QL. Area sensors will be supported by PS QL in the future but if it will also support area sensors connected through the Broadcom USH device is not clear. UPEK PS QL otherwise supports switching between a built-in fingerprint reader and an external USB fingerprint reader.

WAVE answered that there is no support for external readers in the E-Series machines for Preboot or Windows Authentication. On E6400, only the internal Authentec reader will work with their software.

Örjan