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T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

T60/T61 Series
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Megavvolt
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Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#1 Post by Megavvolt » Sun Mar 11, 2012 6:27 am

Got a T61 (8898-55AG) to use the motherboard as a donor for a Frankenpad.

Lenovo description:
ThinkPad T61 (8898-55G)
T7100(1.8GHz), 1GB RAM, 120GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1024x768 LCD, Intel X3100, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11abg wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1Gb Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 4c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

According to T61 BIOS simulator, there should be a Fingerprint submenu in Security menu. I don't see one here (it's an actual picture of the machine):

Image

What do you think could be the problem here?

Megavvolt
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#2 Post by Megavvolt » Sun Mar 11, 2012 3:16 pm

Suppose the fingerprint module in this notebook is out of order and the motherboard doesn't recognize it at all - could that be the reason?

Could somebody please take the palmrest with the FPR off their T61 and take a look at the BIOS screen? Will the "Fingerprint" submenu still be there?

If the motherboard is bad then I need to return it to the seller, but the machine is working beautifully, passes all the tests, etc.

I don't know what to think...

Monck
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#3 Post by Monck » Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:39 pm

Hi,

Pls send me PM tomorow near 17:00 i'll check this. (but probably someone will do this faster ;))

Regards
In Poland 40km isn't distance, -40degree isn't cold, 40% alcohol isn't vodka
-
T530-me, T400 -Wife, X61s - sold, T42 - mom, R30 - second mom, T61 - waiting for better times
-

RealBlackStuff
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#4 Post by RealBlackStuff » Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:10 pm

What does it say on the first page of the BIOS, does that match the 8898-55G info from the bottom-sticker?
Did someone put a different mobo in that machine?
Here's the T61 BIOS Simulator: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-69927
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.

PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine
.

Megavvolt
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#5 Post by Megavvolt » Sun Mar 11, 2012 7:16 pm

Yep. "System-unit serial number" in BIOS matches the model and serial number on the sticker at the bottom (889855GL3A2316)

ajkula66
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#6 Post by ajkula66 » Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:26 pm

My first guess would be a defective FPR that is not being registered by the board.

If that's not the case, then the board itself is most likely defective.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

Megavvolt
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Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#7 Post by Megavvolt » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:39 am

So if the FPR is defective it's possible that BIOS won't show "Fingerprint" menu in BIOS, right?

ajkula66
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#8 Post by ajkula66 » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:54 am

Yes.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

One FlexView to rule them all: A31p

Abused daily: T520, X200s


PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.

richk
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#9 Post by richk » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:36 pm

There are 3 possible causes: Bad fingerprint reader, damaged cable, defective USB hub circuit (motherboard).

Megavvolt
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#10 Post by Megavvolt » Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:43 pm

Thank you! The cable is in perfect condition, and the touchpad, all of its buttons and all other USB ports are working great. Will visit a local 'thinkpadder' tomorrow to try and put on a different FPR and see what happens.

TuuS
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Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#11 Post by TuuS » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:57 pm

The palmrest you plug in doesn't have to be from the same type of T61, any will do. You can even plug in one from your T60.

Also the cable going from the touchpad to FPR can come unplugged at the reader, check it and make sure it's firmly attached there.

Megavvolt
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:13 pm
Location: St.Petersburg, Russia

Re: T61 Fingerprint menu missing in BIOS (Pic warning)

#12 Post by Megavvolt » Sun Mar 18, 2012 5:02 am

Here's an update: looks like my motherboard is working fine, but the FPR is bad.

An ixbt.com forum member sirarchy (thanks, man!!) agreed to meet me with a tested and working FPR palmrest: I connected it to my T61, turned it on, entered BIOS and saw the Fingerprint menu I was missing. Booted to Windows XP and scanned my finger without any trouble. It's working! All I need is wait till my FrankenPad Kit is finally here (sent from the States by snail mail along with other toys a week ago).

Thank you all for your help and encouragement - I was really upset when I realized my FPR is not there.

Also: if anyone here decides to buy a used Thinkpad from Nikolay at http://www.viafoxoy.com (aka http://www.viafox.narod.ru) - don't. When I told the seller I'm having trouble with the FPR, he replied, "but this doesn't affect the speed, does it?" :lol:
No warranty, no repsonsibility... the guy doesn't give a sh!t

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