Rantings and musings of an IT handyman
Getting fingerprint reader working on Dell laptop
Dell really likes ot make it tricky to get the fingerprint reader working when you install Windows from scratch.
UPDATE 8/25/2011: Dell has released new firmware, software and several different drivers for the fingerprint readers, whihc I have not had time to evaluate yet. My experience with the first release of the “Data Protection | Access” is that is is poorly documented, incredibly slow, buggy, and flat-out not worth the effort. Fingerprint login took so much longer than password login that I stopped using it, and did not install the drivers when I later reinstalled windows.
When I get a chance to evaluate the new drivers (which will involve some image backups) I will update this post. See the comments for some more info.
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Previously, you had to download several different ControlPoint packages and install them, hoping one was the right one. Well now as of the dell E6520 they have renamed everything to Dell Data Protection | Access (Dell data protection access). You will need to download these three packages and install in this order:
Data Protection | Access — Driver Package
Data Protection | Access – Middleware Package
Data Protection | Access – Application Package
You might also need the ControlVault driver, but I’m not sure – I did for safety’s sake. Update: Do NOT install the ControlVault driver. This will cause “no fingerprint reader found” rn 02000051 error message.
I hope this helps somebody.
UPDATE: If you did install the ControlVault driver, try using system restore to roll back (This is what I did after installing the driver a second time, after reinstalling windows to recover from the first time…). Uninstalling will not remove it. If System Restore doesn’t work, you will probably need to reinstall windows (or call Dell)
Reader Kristof posted some steps in a comment below that other folks confirmed successful – I’m quoting it here for reference:
I also installed the controlvault, but did not have to reinstall windows (restore points were disabled). I solved it as follows:
– uninstall controlvault
– remove fingerprint reader from installed hardware (when it asks, also remove driver)
– uninstall all other DELL Data Protection things you might have installed
– reboot
– reinstall ONLY the Data Protection tools as described in the post
– rebootand then it just worked… (finally!)
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I also installed the controlvault, but did not have to reinstall windows (restore points were disabled). I solved it as follows:
- uninstall controlvault
- remove fingerprint reader from installed hardware (when it asks, also remove driver)
- uninstall all other DELL Data Protection things you might have installed
- reboot
- reinstall ONLY the Data Protection tools as described in the post
- rebootand then it just worked… (finally!)
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I followed Kristof’s instructions, but after reinstall & reboot of the Data Protection software (in the order indicated), the fingerprint reader is not showing up in Device Manager, and thus not detected by the Dell software.
What specific part of Dell software installs the driver required for this?
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I either receive the “no fingerprint reader not found” error message, or my fingerprint reader is recognized – but then it doesn’t recognize my finger (timeout when I try to register a fingerprint).
What do you mean by “Do NOT install the ControlVault driver.”?
When I uncheck the ControlVault option in the DataProtection driver package, the driver is missing from device manager (exclamation mark next to a Broadcom device).
Then the DataProtection Access application doesn’t even offer an option to register fingerprints…I have also tried the Windows Biometric Framework (WBF) variant, but it doesn’t recognize my fingerprints either…
I guess I’ll have to reinstall Windows, but then at least I want to do it correctly…
Can you please post some more details on what is the correct procedure?Thanks!
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Marvin,
I’m sorry you are having trouble with it – I had so much trouble with it that I stopped using it entirely. Even when it was working, the fingerprint login was so slow that it was faster to just type the password.Dell has recently released new versions of everything, and I have not had time to evaluate the new “best” course of action. I will update the post accordingly, and will update if I get some time to work on it.
Thanks for the comment!
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#11 written by Dusan 5 months ago
Update for current versions (as of 2011/12/06), tested on Latitude E6420, Windows 7 Business x86:
Right now the Data Protection package consists of four files:
Data Protection | Access — Pre-Requisite Package (1.00.008, A01)
Data Protection | Access — Driver Package (2.01.018, A03)
Data Protection | Access – Middleware Package (2.01.010, A03)
Data Protection | Access – Application Package (2.1.00001.001, A02)When installed in the listed order they indeed work and provide fingerprint access to Windows. The only thing needed to be done is to enlist your finger after the installation using “Access” program from Dell Data Protection. At the end the fingerprint access to Windows works even though is rather slow (still faster then typing password though).
Dusan
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#13 written by Michael 4 months ago
“My experience with the first release of the “Data Protection | Access” is that is is poorly documented, incredibly slow, buggy, and flat-out not worth the effort.”
On a E6520 (Software/BIOS is up to date), I started the software as a non administrator user on Win7, quickly realized “I don’t need this” and exited. After a restart, my notebook plus BIOS is password protected. Furthermore, I have no password. There was no warning, nothing. I called Dell, there is no master password yet, solution: RMA. They replace the mainboard. The notebook is 3 days old.
I can’t believe the whole story is true. It’s ridiculous. -
#14 written by Ken 3 months ago
Here’s Dell’s description of what to do:
In order to install the Dell Data Protection | Access solution, you must install the Dell Data Protection | Access Pre-Requisite package, the Dell Data Protection | Access driver package and the Dell Data Protection | Access Middleware package before installing the Dell Data Protection | Application package. For Systems configured with Dell ControlPoint Security Manager, please follow the instructions below to ensure proper and complete upgrade to Dell Data Protection | Access. NOTE: Installation order is very important – use the following procedure, including reboots, or the software will not function properly: 1. Backup any previously implemented security settings (if applicable) a. Backup TPM keys and credentials (on Dell ControlVault enabled systems). b. If you have any documents included in the Document Vault or Document Manager, remove these files. Dell Data Protection | Access does not contain this function and any data not removed from this feature will be lost. c. Backup any user Private Information Manager account data. 2. Dell ControlPoint Security Manager must be uninstalled (if applicable) a) Uninstall “Dell ControlPoint Security Manager” from Add/Remove Programs. b) Reboot. 3. Dell Security Device Driver Pack must be uninstalled (if applicable) a) Uninstall “Dell Security Device Driver Pack” from Add/remove programs. b) Reboot. 4. Download the Dell Data Protection |Access software packages (Pre-Requisite(XP and Vista OS only), Driver, Middleware, and Application) 5. Install downloaded software in the order listed below a) Install Dell Data Protection | Access – Pre-Requisite package (XP and Vista OS only) b) Reboot if requested. c) Install Dell Data Protection | Access – Driver package. d) Install Dell Data Protection | Access – Middleware package. e) Reboot. f) Install Dell Data Protection | Access – Application package. g) Reboot. 6. Clear any previously stored security settings implemented such as TPM enablement, fingerprints enrolled, BIOS passwords, preboot credentials, etc. (if applicable) a) Launch Dell Data Protection |Access application. b) Navigate to the advanced screen. c) Click on “Reset System” and provide all implemented passwords and follow instructions appropriately. 7. Clear any previous non-ControlVault fingerprint enrollments (for Latitude E54x0 and E55x0 only systems) a) Navigate to \Program Files\Dell\Dell Data Protection\Access\Drivers\Authentec AES2810 Fingerprint Reader\Tools folder and run AESReset.exe and follow instructions. 8. Clear any previous external fingerprint enrollments (if applicable) a) For external fingerprint readers (Dell branded Fingerprint reader, Eikon 2 and Eikon to go readers), navigate to \Program Files\Dell\Dell Data Protection\Access\Advanced\Wave\Preboot Manager and execute the deleteusers.exe utility. 9. Restore your archived security settings backed up in Step 1 (if applicable) Note: this will only restore archived TPM keys from USC 1.4 or DDPA 2.0 usage or preboot data which is enrolled within the Dell ControlVault. a) Open Dell Access, navigate to the advanced screen, click on Credential Archive and Restore. b) Click on Restore your security credentials. c) Follow the wizard until completion. 10. Launch Dell Data Protection |Access application a) Application will install into the Start Menu under Programs\Dell\Dell Data Protection\AccessNote: No desktop or task tray icons will be placed onto the system by default. b) Upon first launch of Dell Data Protection | Access, the System Access Wizard will prompt you. This wizard will guide you through the system setup process. If the System Access Wizard does not automatically launch, you can start the wizard by selecting the Access tab a
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This was very helpful. I also accidentally installed the ControlVault driver (how would you know not to?) and got the same error on a Latitude E6420. I could not find a way to back out the driver install, as the uninstall was not sufficient, and ended up reinstalling Windows. Now if I could actually get my fingers to register!