Dell Precision M6500 Fingerprint Reader Fix/Firmware Update (Windows 7)

Question

Hello, If anyone is experiencing issues setting up their fingerprint readers on their Dell Precision M6500 Mobile Workstations on Windows 7, I may have a fix for you! The reason I am posting this is because I have spent 6 months researching how to get my fingerprint reader working, and to my experience this issue is very undocumented by dell and is therefore very difficult to solve otherwise. I also believe my findings may be able to help anyone interested or currently trying to get their readers working, as after all, who wouldn't want to login to their computers like James Bond? ;) After browsing many forums and blogs I found the core issue is solved in a firmware upgrade for the ControlVault firmware required to enable the ControlVault hardware/Fingerprint reader to detect the installed ControlVault drivers, and allow the end user to enable to WBF and set up their fingerprints. Here's how to do it: Step 1: Uninstall any old drivers regarding Dell Data Protection, Control Point, or ControlVault, and download the ControlVault drivers below, as this driver version contains the software required to activate the WBF and set up your fingerprints later on. follow the installation instructions carefully. if this is successful, you should see the Biometric Devices menu in Control Panel pop up. LINK: www.dell.com/.../DriversDetails Step 2: Go to the start menu and search 'Control Vault WBF', you should see a small application titled as such. click it, and once it opens, attempt to enable the WBF interface. if it becomes enabled, you are done. wait for windows to set up your fingerprint reader and set up your fingerprint in the Biometrics menu. if you encounter an error, your ControlVault hardware most likely requires an update. Download it here: \/ LINK: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=46KM0 Step 3: Click on the installer and allow it to drop the required firmware update files. however if you use a 64 bit OS, the associated 16 bit .bat file will not work as the 16 bit compatibility layer was removed from your OS version by Microsoft. Instead, go to the 'firmware' folder, and scroll down until you see a file named 'ushupgrade.exe', and click on it. Once it launches, it will tell you your current version of the ControlVault firmware, and the one to be installed. if the versions do not match, click start, and DO NOT INTERRUPT THIS PROCESS, as doing so may result in hardware failure. Do not let your computer sleep during this update either, as it may take some time. (The freeware application 'caffeine' helps in these situations, get it here: http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/caffeine/), wait until it completes, and restart when prompted. Step 4: Once this update is done, Repeat step 2. if this is successful, you may now proceed to set up your fingerprint via the Biometrics menu. If the computer belongs to a business administrator, he may now reinstall any 'Access' security software previously present on the machine. Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any questions/make any comments below, and enjoy logging in like a CIA operative ;) - Nick

mmols4088 · Answer

hi Nick ,,

I just fixed mine but I did it at a differend way ,

I installed first off all the drivers protection file named : DRVR_WIN_R269916ve

who is available at Dell.com or personal driver page wen you acces by the support assist icon in your task bar .

After that I downloaded an installed the latest controle-vault firmware file : CV_Setup_TJ9CD_A29_ZPE

when this one is unzipped go to the folder firmware an choose : ushcv64 ( not ushupgrade !! ) an start an follow the intructuctions .

It also depens what finger print reader you have because there are 2 types off readers for the M6500 ..

an iif its an 32 or 64 bit M6500 ,,

all files are located in the folder firmware .

there are 4 files .

greetz

mike

NiksterOfficial · Answer

Hello mike,

Yes, there are 2 different versions of the ControlVault hardware microprocessors, 5880 and 5882, with 5880 having a newer stepping (A0/B0/C0), with 5882 having an older stepping (A0/B0), so it would make sense that ver. 5882 was included in older machines built in 2009-2010, while my machine has a build date in 2011, and it has ver. 5880 according to ushupgrade (A28) and ushcv64 (A29).

Upon further investigation of the files, in the version listed (A28), ushcv64 didn't appear to do anything, possibly because it's a component that's used by ushupgrade.exe to update the firmware on that version of the upgrade. I then downloaded version A29 and it appears ushcv64 is the installer in this version, as ushupgrade didnt appear to do anything when clicked.

Its not an important update as the average user wouldn't require the use of DDA packages (myself included), but according to the dell website, it does say something along the lines of improved compatibility with DDA, so thats something business users should consider if they are having issues with setting up DDA and their fingerprint readers.

This was just to clear things up for new users on this discussion, Ill put the link to A29 here:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=TJ9CD

Thank you for your input.

- Nick

k0untryg1r1 · Answer

Just wanted to say thank you! this worked great for my M6600.  I have never had the fingerprint reader working on it, and just upgraded to Windows 10.  I have a surface and bought the new finger print reader type cover (mainly for the new key layout, but thought what the heck) and both now work great with Windows Hello! Just wanted to express my thanks!

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