Compaq Fingerprint Reader Review

[Ian]

ICEHardware have a review of the Compaq fingerprint reader, and manage to get hold of one for £20! This is probably because it is an older non-USB version, but still a great buy!

"Compaq Fingerprint Identification Technology - The Password They'll Never Forget" reads the box of my new fingerprint scanner that I bought the other day. To start with I was very sceptical about how this thing would actually perform, but I saw it had been knocked down from £100 to £20, and paying £100 would usually mean you're getting a good quality item. So I went ahead and ordered one..."

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Read the review here

 

[bbosiu]

Hey mates!

it's my first post on this forum, so Hi all. I wrote this message cause I bought exactly this fingerprint scanner in non USB version. Can anyone tell me what kind of connector does it have?
It's exactly this one :

Other look on the connector:


And by the way if anyone had drivers for this device and would be so kind to share them plz PM me.

 

[Ian]

Welcome to the forums

That second photo you posted seems to show an old parallel port connection - they aren't often seen these days, so you'll need to use it on an older PC more than likely.

 

[bbosiu]

Mhm, so you know exact name of this port ? I want to look for some adapter but without name I can't really do anything.

Ok, let me describe it more precisely. It has two rows of pins In the upper row there's 13 pins in lower 12 pins. It's just like RS 232 but wider. What else, it also has 2 P\S 2 connectors and honestly I have no idea what are they for. ( I assume that this wide RS232 alike connector handles all the communication between PC and fingerprint scanner ).
Here's some photo of it:

 

[muckshifter]

welcome to PCR

Ian is correct, that's a 25pin din, or to give it its more common name, a parallel port or LPT1, same as the COM port and RS232 interface ... same one used for good old fashioned printers & COM mice ... before USB.

I see a lot of newer motherboards don't have them now, sad that.

Good luck in getting it to work.

 

[BYGino]

Hi Mate,

I have one of these kicking about somewhere (had it since I worked at Compaq) - You've put me in the mood to dig mine out now, just for a gimmick.

I can confirm that it does need a parallel port. Not only that but the orange connector is a PS2 passthrough (can't remember if it's KB or mouse) and this needs to be plugged in to get power to the reader.

You may struggle to get drivers for it. The last time I had it working I was running either Windows 2000 or maybe XP.

You also need to find the Biologon software for it. I think the latest version is still at V3 which should work.

If you need any help with it, gimme a shout.

EDIT: Forgot to say, you can indeed get parallel to USB converters but I cannot guarantee this would work.