Dell Latitude E4200 :: USB And Fingerprint Stopped Working
Feb 21, 2013
Two days after my warranty expired, both USB ports on my E4200 and the fingerprint reader stopped responding. The USB on the docking station work fine.
I have since tried to update the bios and uninstalled the USBs in Device Manager. All to no avail.
When I plug a stick into the USB port, it lights up (i.e., some power to the port), but the computer does not see anything plugged in.
I’m testing some E4200s (with SED SSDs and regular SSDs) and have run into a possible bug with the HDD password “bypass” option in the BIOS. The “bypass” option in BIOS allows you to specify if the HDD password needs to be entered during warm boots (restarts), standby, etc. I’ve set it to “disable”, which means that the HDD password must always be entered (even for restarts). However, the E4200 does *not* prompt for the HDD password during warm boots (restarts). It correctly prompts for the HDD password during cold boots and standby/hibernate only. I’ve tried upgrading the BIOS to the latest version (A13 to A20), but that didn’t work.
At this point I think it's a bug in the BIOS. I've tried this with different e4200 laptops and different drives (regular SSDs, and self-encrypting SSDs).
My fingerprint reader stopped working. I can open the Simple Pass ID program but when I click on fingerprints, it indicates "verifying identity" with an hourglass on top of the fingerprint icon and no matter how long I wait, that's all that happens.
On my nc6320 working, where Windows 7 is installed, it stopped working the fingerprint sensor after some update of the operating system;I have tried to reinstall all the software for the driver but I could not find a working combination.
Symptom: when trying to enroll a fingerprint, I get the message: 'Use a longer stroke when scanning your fingerprint,' the sensor light turns from green to blinking orange (3 times), then back to green. Same happens when when trying to enroll from Windows PC Setting/ Sign-in Options/ Fingerprint (Add).
What I tried: uninstalling ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software and Driver (to include selecting 'Delete the driver software for this device'), rebooting, using Lenovo System Update to re-install ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software, rebooting. Have also tried to manually install previous versions of the Fingerprint Software to no avail.
I had this similar problem in the past, since upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1, but the steps above usually resolved it.
For whatever reason my ringerprint reader stopped working. I've uninstalled and re-installed the driver, software and done just about everything I can find online.
In the device manager it usually shows up, but sometimes doesnt. In the control panel>biometric devices, it shows up less often, usually only after i've clicked "Scan for hardware changes."
Windows 7 32-bit upgrade CD (not SP1), from XP. no anti-virus yet. Windows Updates current to SP1.I have always had my DELL mouse plugged in to rear port, but for unknown reasons it is now dead to all USB devices?
Mouse is now recognized by side USB port, but I like to keep them free for bulky flash drives..I tried uninstalling all ports/refresh from Device Manager, but rear port is still dead to all USB devices.I then tried a repair install from desktop, but still dead (1st time HD light flashed for 1sec, then nothing from then on).
I have a T500 (LENOVO 2081CTO ThinkPad T500) running W7 32 bit. Been working fine since September 10. Today when simply trying to logon the fingerprint sensor has stopped working. Laptop had not even been moved, simply resting on desk and then switched on from powered off.
A few times since have received message that "USB device is being installed" with finally "USB Device could not be installed. There is a problem with your device." Device Manager showed a problem with "USB Composite device"
Powered off/on gave same symptom.
Downloaded & installed latest fingerprint software 7wf162ww.exe. Installed OK. USB device appeared to then automatically pick up and reinstall correctly. BUT still unable to use fingerprint to logon or for with Thinkvantage Client Security.
Using Thinkvantage Lenovo Fingerprint Software gives error "Cannot communicate with sensor. Please confirm the sensor is ready."
I've also noticed the keyboard around the fingerprint sensor is very warm, almost hot. As if it is being constantly turned on?
My D620 suddenly stopped working with an AC adaptor, won't charge the battery, won't operate without the battery. I have several AC adaptors and none of them work now. However, when docked the ac works fine and the battery charges with no issue.
I just removed the LED dashboard cover and then the keyboard in a LATITUDE E4300 and used some compressed air for a simple spring cleaning. after I carefully put everything back together, the following keys stopped working 9 O L .
I repeated the process a couple of times to make sure I didn't make any mistake, but still those keys don't work.
I have been see-sawing between the Sony Z and the E4200 (two very different machines) but being a Dell customer for the past decade, and having access to Premier and EPP, tipped the decision in favor of the the smallest E in the new Dell portfolio.
I thought I would start this thread as a 'catch all' place for all the folks who are ordering the new E4200. I have been looking for info on the E4200 in particular but there isn't much to be found though a few folks have indeed received their E4300s.
There seems to be some disappointment with the E4300. I am holding out until the backlit keyboard as well Latitude ON (hardware-based) are widely available. It does seem that some of the kinks still need to be ironed out from the lilliputian E-class Dells. Here's an early review that pretty much sums up the disappointment that some new owners are feeling:
There are two different LED Panels used for E4200. Toshiba is not a good one, which has some bleeding issue. Samsung is the best, which is soft.
You can figure out which panel you own on your E4200 via looking at the bottom of LED panel (Golden color means that you have a Toshiba one, and Silver one will be Samsung. Toshiba one also shows a lot of small bulbs at the edge, bad, bad...
the first one had the fan come on straight away at the start and then never turn off. Regardless of what temperatures the ACPI and cores were running at.
it was running bios A03 and we upgraded it to A04 and that didn't fix it. We think the thermistor was buggered so we replaced that but then the Dell service guy basically couldn't remember how to put it back together and buggered it so it wouldn't boot!..........................................
I think the E4200 is a great machine, and I can probably get one cheap off Dell Outlet. My only real concern here is hard drive capacity. The standard options of 64GB or 128GB SSD aren't going to cut it for me...
I'd want to have at least a 256GB SSD or one of the Toshiba 250GB 5400RPM 1.8" drives.
I know that the E4200 has a 1.8" hard drive slot, so a standard 2.5" notebook hard drive will not work at all.
But its 1.8" slot should mean that regular 1.8" hard drives should work in it, no? Surely the computer can use either a 1.8" SSD drive or 1.8" hard drive
Recently my laptop starts to make a high frequency whining noise, almost constantly and rarely stopped.
I tried to locate the component which the noise was originated from, I can only figure out it's somewhere below the memory module, but there is no moving component there, so my biggest suspect is the fan, because if I put my ear to the back of the laptop, except the whining I also heard very minor "clicking" noise.
Another weird thing is, this noise only starts after Windows is loaded, not in BIOS or during booting, although the fan was running at those times.
I just picked up a e4200 with backlit keyboard and whenever the back light is turned on there is a noise (slight buzzing or hum) that can be heard. As soon as the back light turns off the sound goes away. It's kind of bugging me because you wouldn't think that the back light would add to the decibel level of the laptop..
I have an older e4200 (roughly late 2008) and want to let my child use it. Before I hand it down, I want to completely clean the hard drive and start from a "brand new" perfectly clean hard drive with Windows and all the appropriate drivers installed. How do I accomplish this?
I got a Dell Latitude E4200 with a Samsung SSD PB22-JS3 TM 64GB drive. Does anyone know if its firmware can be upgraded to support TRIM in Windows 7? Current
firmware version is VBM19D1Q. Seems like the version that support TRIM is VBM19C1Q. Doesnt that seem like a downgrade? I've had my notebook since October 2009 so I dont think it has TRIM support from the factory.
Firmware location I think is here: http://www.samsung.com/global/busine.../business.html
I installed Windows 7 64 bit on a Dell E4200.I had two yellow exclamation points in device manager for unknown devices.
PCI Serial Port PCI Simple Communications
I went to Dell support site and to the drivers and downloads page for my Service Tag.Under the Chipset section there is an Intel driver for AMT HECI. Installing that driver solved the PCI Simple Communications item.
Also under Chipset there is an Intel driver AMT SOL. I installed that driver but the PCI Serial Port was still showing Unknown with the Yellow..In my case I had to then manually Update the driver as follows:
Open Device Manager > right click on PCI Serial Port and choose Update driver > choose Browse my computer and browse to the driver folder for the AMT SOL just created when you downloaded and installed the driver mentioned above. Location for me is C:DellDriversR279202.
This has been brought up before in this forum, but it was as an off-topic discussion on a thread with a different topic. I'd like to bring it to full discussion.
Basically, I'm quite happy with my E6400 but I don't use the fingerprint reader, because that involves using the Embassy Trust Suite.
This means that you cannot use the fingerprint reader for any other uses except logging on at boot and windows logon screen. You cannot use it for your web browser, for example.
Several people have asked Dell to invest in an open API for the fingerprint reader because of this. Dell suggested we opened a thread in their community feedback site, "Dell IdeaStorm", which I did. Here's the link.
I recently purchased the Latitude E6400 and was wondering if there is a way to set up the fingerprint reader to work for online websites such as gmail etc. It works to log in but can it also work for other things too
I got my Latitude E6500 a few days ago, I'm happy with it (except the lagging ALPS touchpad) but I have a problem with the fingerprint reader (Broadcom USH w/Swipe sensor).
The fingerprint reader is connected and does respond, but the ControlPoint software throws an error if I try to enroll my fingerprint (the error doesn't show up if I don't touch the sensor). If I reboot, the "Broadcom USH w/swipe sensor" is replaced by "Broadcom USH w/o swipe sensor" in the device manager. The swipe sensor is detected again after a complete shutdown.
I've enrolled my fingerprints via the Windows 8.1 PC user settings app.
When I logon to my PC it provides the usual password box to type my password, but if I swipe the fingerprint reader nothing happens. I've registered four fingers, none of them work.
Are there some other settings I need to change to enable use of the fingerprint reader?
I see the biometric device in device manager, and registering fingerprints is no problem, it's just during logon that it's not working.
I bought a Dell Latitude E6410 with fingerprint sensor, I checked the drivers and I've the drivers for Dell ControlVault w/ fingerprint swipe sensor, and I want to use the fingerprint sensor instead of the pasword to log in in my user of the computer, but I dont know what software I need to do it, what software (Aplication) can I use for that?
In Window's control panel, Biometric Devices shows me that the drivers are ok "Allow biometric devices with windows" is flagged. With Broadcom FMA I can easly enroll my fingerprints
Everything looks good but at this point there's no way to use my fingerprints to logon with Win7 pro.
In control panel / programs I can see installed: Dell Data Protection | Security Tools and Dell Data Protection | Security Tools Authentication but I can't find out any program to manage my fingerprinters.
I tried almost everything, installing/uninstalling drivers, softwares and all this didn't work. I suppose that I should find a program or something that allows me to associate the enrolled fingerprints to my account.
I even tried to use Dell My Downloads (with Internet Explorer) but I cannot because during the installation I had the message Service Tag Number not supported.
Windows logon shows me, next to my account and security card, another "account" fingerprints, I even tried to login with this but I received the message "Fingerprint not verified" (obviously because they are not associated to any account)....
I have the following problem: I set up an Administrator Account with password security and then add a Dell Security with fingerpint security. Now, I cannot access the Windows. The problem is the TPM cannot be connected or something like that. The scan says it accepts the scanned finger, and password is also Ok. How can I disable secure access or reset password, disable fingerprint control, etc. In BIOS I do not find any possibility to disable fingerpint but TPM activation/deactivation is there.