Linux Developer Systems

[julianwachholz]

Hi there

I recently ordered the new XPS 9360 Developer Edition with the optional fingerprint reader. So far I haven't found any supporting documents that the FP reader is working under Linux.

Since this is a rather new addition I am patient but hopeful that we will eventually get a Linux driver.

Are there any infos on this?

The fingerprint reader as reported by lsusb is Validity Sensors Inc. "VFS7552" with device ID 183a:0091.
I have found an effort in reverse engineering the Windows driver: https://github.com/nmikhailov/Validity90 

[deancsmith]

There is also a bug open here for this issue: bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi

It seems that the communication for this particular series of fingerprint readers is encrypted and that there are no open source drivers (e.g. previous iterations like the device ID 183a:0090 still do not have open source drivers even though the hardware is not new).

It would be good if Dell could push for or develop these drivers? Failing that, if they included an alternate fingerprint reader on their Ubuntu devices that is actually supported..

[GoldMinotaur]

I also just got a new XPS 9360 DE with the fingerprint reader and have this issue. Does anyone have an update for functionality? It's kind of absurd that the reader is even offered if it doesn't work...

[DELL-Justin C]

@Community,

Thank you for your conversation regarding XPS 13 and Ubuntu fingerprint reader compatibility.

Dell officially does not support fingerprint reader functionality when running Dell OEM Ubuntu. Dell has removed fingerprint reader options from the XPS 13 9360 DE sales pages.  

We apologize for any confusion.

[Eruantalon]

I have just purchased a Dell XPS 13 with OEM Ubuntu and a fingerprint reader. This means that the product was NOT removed from Dell.com and you are still selling useless hardware. It seems like this cannot be legal. I feel that I am entitled to a refund for the cost of the sensor.

[DELL-Justin C]

Greetings Eruantalon,

Send me a friend request with your service tag and email address. I'll see what I can do.

It's possible that they removed the fingerprint versions previously but somehow after that, made it through a process gap. I will work internally to find out.

[julianwachholz]

I've been told they removed the option as well after I purchased my device. I'd prefer it if Dell actually made a difference here for once and pushed for a Linux driver! I simply cannot understand any reasoning why that would not be feasible. What are you so afraid of? Someone might copy your driver and make a better FP reader? It's called competition and it's a good thing.

[BillyRayPreache]

On Oct 22nd, I ordered the Dell XPS 13 Ubuntu laptop. I was offered the fingerprint scanner as an option, and so assumed it would work without any issues. Sadly, I hadn't read this thread first.

When the laptop arrived on Nov 1st and I couldn't get the scanner to work, I discovered this thread after a bit of searching.

At that stage, I asked my Dell sales rep (Muhammed Ghufran) for a refund of the part (£20.84), as I believed it was sold to me fraudulently (as it could never have worked).

He insisted I give Dell technical support a chance to give me a solution. After lots of backwards and forwards with Alan Fletcher and one of his advisors, Mark (tech support call ref: 956111615), we realised that the suggested fingerprint-gui package just didn't work with the fingerprint scanner that came with the Dell (device ID: 138a 0091).

I went back to Muhammed and again asked for a refund. At this stage, he told me that he couldn't do anything as the order was placed online, and suggested I ring Dell customer care on 0844 444 4712.

I did that this morning (Nov 9th), and explained the situation. At this point, I was told that as more than 14 days had elapsed since placing the order, no refund could be given.

I mentioned that the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give me 14 days to cancel the order from the date I received the laptop (Nov 1st), and the person on the phone stated that they would put me through to the UK customer care (so I've no idea where he was, given I dialled a UK number).

After explaining the whole mess yet again (customer care call ref: <<private information removed by admin>>), and a lot of waiting on hold, I was told that after 1-2 working days a refund would be approved, and 3-5 working days after approval, I should get a refund.

Dell have done nothing but give me the runaround in trying to get a refund for this fraudulent sale. If it wasn't for me quoting the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, I'd have got nothing out of this. It's not even as if I'm going to get back any money for the phone calls or my time to resolve this.

All in all, I'm not very happy with Dell's stance on this, and certainly not happy with the fact that, as of this morning (Nov 9th), the fingerprint scanner is still being offered with a configuration under which it can never work.

[DELL-Justin C]

Billyraypreachersson,

Thank you for your feedback. I will send you a friend request shortly as I'd like to gather some information from you in order to drive correction.

[relevant]

Just notes as an outside observer:

@BillyRayPreachersSon: great post! Very useful log of information and details. It is easy to tell how frustrated you are (I will be extremely *** off), and you did not make the mistake of just saying stuff like "f you dell!". Instead, you calmly explained the horrible process you went through, and as a result, it looks like Justin is going to figure out what went wrong. Well done and thank you!

@Justin thanks for taking BillyRay's comments seriously. It would be great if you were able to update us on what you looked into and hopefully fixed.

In summary, great constructive conversation in this thread!