[ltp] fingerprint reader & linux

[Alex Deucher]

On Sat, 08 Jan 2005 12:05:49 -0500, morpheus <morpheus@post.harvard.edu> wrote:
> On Fri, 2005-01-07 at 13:25 -0800, Mao gong wrote:
> > I got a T42 with fingerprint reader. I want to install WinXP and Linux
> > as the same time. Don't know it's OK or not with the extra chips for
> > fingerprint reader. Also are there any support for this IBM
> > fingerprint reader?
> 
> I have the same model with WinXP and FC3 dual-boot and the fingerprint
> reader doesn't affect anything.  I use the fingerprint reader as my BIOS
> password which requires you to scan your finger before the boot loader
> is loaded.  You have to set this up in Windows, but the program to set
> it up runs automatically the first time you boot.
> The fingerprint scanner also replaces your Windows password.  There is a
> driver for Windows that checks with the BIOS to see if a fingerprint was
> used to authenticate when the machine was booted.  If the fingerprint is
> linked to a Windows account, you don't need to enter your Windows
> password.  However, there is no driver for Linux so you have to enter
> your username and password as usual to log in.
> 
> -m
> 

I'm not sure what hardware the thinkpad uses for the fingerprint
scanner, but handhelds.org has code for the fingerprint scanner in the
h5xxx ipaqs.  Might be a good starting point for those that are
interested.

Alex