Three Wise Men

Windows 7 driver update for AuthenTec AES2810 fingerprint scanner on HP notebooks

In my previous post I was describing a method how to enable and use the AuthenTec ASE2810 fingerprint scanner beta Windows 7 driver. There was some positive feedback and the method worked on some HP notebook devices. For some with different versions of fingerprint scanner the method did not work. Hopefully times have changed for all of us.

On the October 23, 2009 AuthenTec released information about update to Windows 7 driver infrastructure. About 2 weeks ago I noticed an optional update in Windows 7 update section. It read AuthenTec Inc. driver update for AuthenTec Inc. AES2810. I was pleased to finally get the final version of the driver.

Immediately checked it and started the 32Mb download procedure. Smooth download, smooth install. Went to Control Panel->Hardware and Sound->Biometric Devices and the  AES2810 was still available. I decided for clean setup so I removed my existing fingerprint data by clicking and confirming the Remove your fingerprint data dialog. Then I clicked on Manage your fingerprint data and waited for my password dialog. None appeared. Frustrated and angry about the stupid update I started to minimize the windows and was presently surprised by the TrueSuite login screen¹. Typed and retyped in password of my account and voila I was ready to enroll my fingers.

TrueSuite Application has changed a bit. Must say that it is simple and intuitive to use². You have 2 options. Enroll finger by selecting a finger to enroll and repeating finger swipe 3 times and delete an enrolled finger. Additional nifty feature is available when you enroll a finger.  When TrueSuite application is run through manage your fingerprint data call you are presented by the password login screen. But now you can use your enrolled finger to authenticate your self. No more password typing.

I repeated the update on both HP notebooks that I own. So I can confirm that the driver works for HP EliteBook 8530p and HP Compaq 2230s. Bravo AuthenTec. Now if you could only release data which would help to create or create a Linux driver then I would be in heaven.

1. I don’t know if that was my impatience or the on top functionality of login screen is broken, but I was unable to repeat this feature [↩]
2. not that I was complaining about previous beta version [↩]

Installing Windows 7 from USB flash drive

Past few couple of days I had some problems with buying Windows 7 and getting it installed. Long story short: they sold me 32bit OEM Home Premium version and I wanted 64bit version. They refused to replace it since I already opened the package. Let’s not get into details that they shouldn’t even sell me the OEM version and that Microsoft won’t be too happy to hear about this¹ but I had a problem and it needed fixing.

Microsoft support was VERY helpful and they told me that I can use my existing serial number to install 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium OEM, not the retail version, but OEM. Great! Unfortunately they told me to get the installation DVD somewhere else.

Read on if you want to know how I solved my problem …

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1. Yes, they will hear about it … [↩]

Dreaming of Windows 8

Not so long ago BigWhale wrote about Windows 7 RTM. Sure Windows 7 have some installation quirks, but which operating system does not have one or two of those? Some operating systems can live without the constant need for GUI updates. But not Windows. Their micro GUI developers are working hard. So hard that they have a new GUI concept ready even before Windows 7 accumulated some dust on the shelves. Now that is why I call ahead of time market.. – development.

If you want to see Microsoft dreaming machine in action read on and take a look at a possible future of Windows 8. READ MORE

Windows 7 login using AuthenTec AES2810 fingerprint scanner on HP notebooks

Recently I wrote about installation of Windows 7 on HP Compaq 2230s. I had a few problems with device drivers which were resolved by downloading Vista drivers from HP site and installing them. My initial idea was to be able to use all devices on the notebook. I was specially interested in notebook fingerprint sensor and its capability to login to Windows account by using my fingerprint scanner.

The notebook has an OEM version of AuthenTec AES2810 fingerprint scanner. After installation of HP device driver fingerprint reader will be recognized and you will see fingerprint sensor¹. Since Windows 7 got a new Biometric Framework it is only prudent that the framework will get its own configuration section in Drivers and Hardware section. But this is where ASE2810 fails. When looking at Start->Control panel->Hardware and Sound->Biometric Devices you can see the AES2810 device but Windows 7 tells you that it is unavailable. If you are interested how this can be solved then read on!

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1. in Windows Device Manager [↩]

Released To Manufacturing, but unable to install

It was time to finally install Windows 7. Released To Manufacturing version. I must admit, I was quite skeptical about this because it seems that I have been cursed in my youth and Microsoft products simply fail with me. No, seriously, I have had so many issues with Windows that even Chuck Norris can’t count all of them, and he counted to infinity, twice. I do hope that you are not affected by the same curse.

So why Windows 7 if nothing works for me like it should? Windows 7 was, and still is praised by a lot of fans. It is even praised by some people that are not, you know, typical fan-boys. I wanted to see what this praise was all about and what is so great on Windows 7. I already had Release Candidate 1 downloaded but I decided to obtain Ready To Manufacture version, they said that it is the shit.

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