HP Elitebook 8770w Fingerprint Scanner Driver

[jtubb]

The device is listed as working in Device Manager but does not show up to Biometric Devices or the SimplePass software.

Windows 7 64 bit Enterprise

The scanner shows up as VFS491.

Currently installed driver is Validity Sensor v4.4.228.0

Using HP SimplePass Identity Protection v 7.1.5.9

Any ideas?

[Dragon-Fur]

Are you running the old Egistec version of SimplePass because you cannot get the latest version of HP SimplePass to run on that machine?

sp59664 HP SimplePass V6.0.100.257 Win7-8

OK... I am not at all familiar with that Egistec version... here are some general ideas:

Reset the notebook:

HP Notebook PCs - Use a Forced Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues on Notebook with a Seal...

Removable Battery:

HP Notebook PCs - Use Hard Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues

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Repair the SimplePass Software:

This resets the software without losing your personal setups.  It reinstalls the current version and rereads / resets the database.

Control Panel > Programs and Features >

Scroll down and Look for HP SimplePass

Right-Click on HP SimplePass
Select "Repair"

• Restart / Reboot the computer

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If you decide to try and upgrade to the latest version of the Software:

Rules for success:

• Driver ALWAYS installs / resets (reinstalls) first, then REBOOT the computer
• Software installs second, set up the basics, REBOOT the computer
• If you look at SimplePass cross-ways, change anything, if you think it looks "funny":  Reboot the computer

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For the latest SimplePass version (should you be able to use it):

Export the Webcard Database:

When you have working SimplePass software, Export your Webcards.  In the event that you must remove the SimplePass software, your webcard backup can be used (imported) to restore your website login information.

Start SimplePass > Settings > Export     NOTE:  File will be named *.tsd

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A Helpful Guide:

 Guide to the Notebook Fingerprint Sensor - HP SimplePass  V6

I hope this helps!

[jtubb]

I have tried the version you posted. When starting SimplePass it prompts for my Windows password and accepts it, however when I attempt to "Set Up Windows Log On" it says "The Windows logon password you entered does not match". I attempted a few times to make sure it wasn't a typo or fat finger.

I was using the particular version of SimplePass in my first post because I saw another thread with the same scanner model having success with it. Different computer model though. I also tried ProtectTools off the Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit driver page for the 8770w but that tells me "This Software is not supported on this system".

I'm starting to think HP doesn't have this working yet.

[Dragon-Fur]

I do not understand any of this - your system should be able to run the Protect Tools software -- according to your webpage, the computer came with Protect Tools software installed (or at least it could have done so).

HP EliteBook 8770w Mobile Workstation - Drivers and Software - Win7 Enterprise

There are a number of packages to the Protect Tools; unlike like SimplePass, Protect Tools seems to be broken into multiple packages. 

NOTE:  Understand that I do not work for HP, nor do I own a Probook... I am at a distinct disadvantage when trying to discuss this particular security software.

• It may be that one must have all the Protect Tools packages installed?  Or that they must be installed in a particular order?
• Perhaps your HP Framework needs to be updated to support the 'Tools package.  The latest update brings the Framework to 4.6.x -- This is beyond the 3.5 that many people are using.

There is a tool available on the Probooks that seems like it may be worth looking at -- if it is being kept updated, it may be useful -- it is at least a neat piece of software for those of us who like this sort of thing.  The program (code) is massive and it takes a while to run on a moderately sized system -- the Download Manager will look at your computer and tell you what you need - and what you can install - on your computer.

I have to admit that though I have used the Download Manager to find software for other people's systems, I have not the means to use it for myself so I cannot judge its effectiveness.  It might be worth a look.

sp57773 V3.4.7.0 HP SoftPaq Download Manager

Alternate Download and Information / Release Notes Page:

sp57773 - HP SoftPaq Download Manager

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Back to the issue at hand...

I am wondering if there is some sort of conflict in the SimplePass database.  It is possible that just changing versions did not wipe out the database entirely - that is, there are bits of the data that are unique to your account in the program database and these are not located in the C:\Program Files (x86)\HP SimplePass hierarchy.

There are a few things to try - all of which are in the realm of "Easter Eggs" (I do not know whether they will work).

"Easter Egg" One

• Create a new account (with Admin privleges, just in case things get weird for any reason at all). 
• Give the new account a password: 1234356
  
• Try to set up the new account SimplePass and ...
• see what it does
  

"Easter Egg" Two

• Change your own password:  123456  (notice -- no letters)
  
• Reboot the computer
  

• Wipe out the SimplePass Version that you just installed with this:
  

Fixit -- Fix problems with programs that can't be installed or uninstalled

• Download this file (this is your insurance)
  

sp58152 Validity Sensor V4.4.228.0

• Go into your Device Manager > Biometric Devices > Right-Click Validity Sensor > Uninstall   (Do NOT delete)
  

• Reboot the computer
  

• Log in and Let the Driver Reinstall.  NOTE:  If it does not do so, install the downloaded driver and Reboot
  

• Install SimplePass V6.0.100.257, set up the just basics:  enroll a couple of fingers, check ALL the boxes in the settings...

• Reboot the computer
  

• AND... see if it works...
  

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The bottom line is that this should work -- something should work... I think Protect Tools should work.

Have you considered backing up everything onto an external disk (AND making an image of your data) and then doing a Recovery?  I hate doing that myself, but I do it on occasion just because things do get mucked up and messy after a while.

If you have an extended warranty and you can stand the time on the phone, I'd call HP and have it out with them about this Protect Tools stuff -- seems like your system should run this software.  Might be worth asking about it, at least.  It could be a simple fix.  Smiling.

OK, no more ideas for the moment.

[jtubb · Accepted solution]

Using Version 7.0.1.1199 of the HP Protect Tools and version 4.4.228.0 of the Validity Sensor driver I am now able to authenticate with a fingerprint. However nothing shows up in Control Panel->Biometric devices, all management needs to be done through Protect Tools.

[Dragon-Fur]

Well, not being able to see anything in the Biometrics with Protect Tools makes as much sense to me as anything in Protect Tools can do --  I do not have, nor can use, the Protect Tools software on any of my little consumer systems.  Smiling.

I hope the software continues to work and that it provides the services for which it is intended -- it might be pretty good code from what I can glean from the documentation.  As long as it works, then it is well enough.

Happy Computing to you!