I can't add a fingerprint to Windows 7

Question

I am trying to set up my fingerprint to log on in Windows 7 32-bit on my Sony VGN-SR590GPB laptop. I also experience the same problem on my other laptop with the same setup, a Sony VGN-Z56TG. I tried going to Control Panel -> Biometric Devices and then clicking on the option to use my fingerprint with Windows. This opens up Internet Explorer and links me to http://tiny.cc/ts32bit, on which it gives me a "this page can't be displayed" error. (When I open the link in CoolNovo instead of Internet Explorer, it appears to go to http://webimages.authentec.com/store/uFMA/ufma-32bit.html, which also gives me a DNS error.) I can't find the drivers for my PC online (only drivers for Windows 7 64-bit and Windows XP are displayed). Should I try installing the Windows XP drivers (which are 32-bit), or is it impossible to use the fingerprint sensor in this configuration?

What does the Sony site or the user manual suggest? So, you've looked in Sony's eSupport for your series and model? I don't know what model you have, but I was able to find some drivers for finger print sensor listed under Security. — CharlieRB, Nov 15 '13 at 23:56
@CharlieRB Which one should I install? I see either Windows 7 64-bit or Windows XP. — gparyani, Nov 16 '13 at 00:00
@CharlieRB I actually don't know. I bought it from someone who installed Linux on it and formatted the disc, and then I used the included recovery discs to install Windows XP on it. Then, I upgraded it to Windows 7 Professional 32-bit using someone else's install disc and the product key on the bottom of the machine. — gparyani, Nov 16 '13 at 00:06
Not having the OEM install (Win XP) or the properly specified upgrade (Win 7 64) puts you in a rough spot. You can try either one, as there is no guarantee either will work. If you can find a Vista version it might work. If none work, email Sony support. Good luck. — CharlieRB, Nov 16 '13 at 00:11
@CharlieRB I remember now. The PC shipped with Windows 7 64-bit, but the included recovery discs are for Windows XP. — gparyani, Nov 16 '13 at 00:12
If you have the product key for the Windows 7 64 then install it so you can use the device with the proper drivers. That's as simple as it gets. Otherwise, you will continue to have driver compatibility issues. — CharlieRB, Nov 16 '13 at 00:28
Check out this post. It will help you with that. http://superuser.com/q/78761/97028 — CharlieRB, Nov 16 '13 at 01:48
@gparyani Did you get it working? If so, how? Via some driver for win7-32 or did you install win7 x64? If you did not get it working: How is the bio reader connected? Can you list the hardware ID of the reader? — Hennes, Dec 30 '13 at 00:32
@Hennes The hardware ID is USB\VID_147E&PID_1000&REV_0033. — gparyani, Dec 30 '13 at 01:27
Some googling on the HW ID reveals that device USB\VID_147E&PID_1000&REV_0033 is an UPEK reader made by AuthenTec.
AuthenTec got bought by Apple and their old website no longer exists. — Hennes, Dec 30 '13 at 02:45
Some more searching yields a lot of third party (and thus untrusted) driver download sites and link such as this one from Lenovo for AuthenTec TrueSuite Fingerprint Software for 32-bit Windows which might actually work. Can you test that one? — Hennes, Dec 30 '13 at 02:45

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 08 '17 at 16:32

2

Here is the links to AuthenTec TrueSuite Fingerprint Software from Lenovo website:

Windows 7, 32-bit (tiny.cc/ts32bit)
https://support.lenovo.com/downloads/ds030584
Windows 7, 64-bit (tiny.cc/ts64bit)
https://support.lenovo.com/downloads/ds030585

answered Sep 08 '17 at 16:32

PASAf

61
3

Sony suspended all Windows 7 support since 2021. The Lenovo 32 bit version works on my Vaio VGN-SZ53B/B though at login no graphic is displayed to make me aware that biometrics works and is ready also for login. I have to know / remember this. No idea if the reason for this is because I installed the Lenovo Version. – gkln Feb 24 '21 at 21:11

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 15 '14 at 02:54

2

Had the same issue with my HP laptop, which had been reimaged with a regular (non-HP) Win7 install. There are two parts needed for this puzzle, the hardware drivers (which Windows will pull down automatically), and the application to use the hardware (what you're being directed to the 404 authentec.com site to fetch). Going to HP's driver selection for the laptop, I had to download HP's ProtectTools suite, which includes the application software. You'll have to hunt down Sony's equivalent through their support site.

answered Jan 15 '14 at 02:54

Xheralt

21

Ah, but in my case, only Windows 7 64-bit and Windows XP are listed as two possible operating systems to install on. Mine is Windows 7 32-bit. Which one should I choose? – gparyani Jan 15 '14 at 03:42
Sorry haven't been back on this site for...yikes...long time. Back in '14 I would have said try the XP version...now, I'm not so sure. Hope you worked something out. I no longer have the laptop mentioned above, killed it by spilling hot beef soup on it while it was booting. >.< – Xheralt Jun 23 '17 at 21:04

I can't add a fingerprint to Windows 7

2 Answers2