I've got an M1330 with the fingerprint reader on it, and I've given up even trying to use it.

 

Even following the tutorial and trying over and over and over again, I could never get more than 2 out of 4 to match up, so I said to heck with it.  Either the reader itself is a cheap piece of junk, or my fingers just aren't the type to scan I guess.

 

I sometimes moisten my fingertip andgo slow/press firmly.

Sometimes, one finger seems to work better than another. Sometimes one hand than the other.

Might want to moisten a lens cloth w/cleaner and make sure the reader is clean.

I've got a XPS 1330 with the same problem. My husband gets his fingered ID'd no problems at all. I think its because the finger has to cover the whole scanner section. Otherwise it wont work. I found that it worked for my thumb (which was the only finger that could cover the scanner) and it would not recongise it for other fingers that did not.

 

Also I found that even though your fingerprint is not identified in the tutorial, when you actually go and set it, it is more easily identfied.

Everyone that responded thanks for the suggestions. When I get a chance I will first try to clean the scanner, than moisten my fingers and finally if all else fails, try my thumb becasue itis the largest.

I wonder if Dell is aware that there may be a problem with the finger scanner????

 

Paul Wein MD