For those of you who own a Microsoft Fingerprint Reader, there is a little known program in place for those of us who are using either XP-64 or any flavor of Vista-64. As those of you with one of these devices know, M$ has never released the 64-Bit drivers that they promised from the beginning, and they have steadfastly refused to allow the OEM of the actual hardware to release a 64-Bit driver that supports M$'s version. They have 64-Bit drivers for their exact same product under their own name brand (Digital Persona), but they won't recognize the M$ branded version. Even HP and Toshiba have reached agreements with DP, but not M$. Oddly enough, 64-Bit Linux DOES support the M$ branded fingerprint reader...
M$ for some odd reason decided that if they created a refund program for the device, but never actually told anyone about it, that it would fulfill their legal obligations since they stated from day 1 of Vista that there would be 64-Bit drivers for this product. I found out about it after doing a LOT of digging on teh intrawebs looking for 64-Bit drivers so I could use the ones I purchased from OD on my new PC's running Vista Home Premium 64-Bit. No drivers, but I did find out about the existence of this plan, and the phone number you need to use!
What you need in front of you:
The actual fingerprint reader itself.
Call: 1-888-218-5617 Option: 1 Option: 1
Tell them you own the fingerprint reader and a M$ 64-Bit OS. Pick one. They don't verify this. Tell them there aren't drivers for your device.
They will then ask for the PID on the bottom of the fingerprint reader. If you are getting older and your eyesight sucks be prepared... The numbers are TINY!
They will then ask for your Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email Address. Give those to them.
Voila! One check for $39.95 per reader that you have a PID number for. No limit that I know of. I had two readers and so am getting two checks!
Oh, and you get to keep the fingerprint readers as an added bonus. Provided you have a computer with a 32-Bit OS to use them on.
Quite honestly, I would have preferred to have just downloaded the drivers so I could use the product, but this way I can go out and buy a product that works with Vista 64-Bit.
EDIT: I forgot to add that the Micro$oft Optical Desktop with Integrated Fingerprint Reader keyboard was also covered by this refund plan! Actually, any M$ hardware product for Windows that includes their fingerprint reader is covered, so call if your keyboard, etc has a fingerprint reader built into it. All they can do is say "no".
Further EDIT: The fingerprint reader and the "wireless keyboard with reader" are in the program. The optical desktop with fingerprint reader is not.
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The following number is given by the rep and they gave me the refund. Probably it may help others.
800-360-7561
Message edited by: mahitha on 2009-05-15 16:26:34 CDT
dexterali said:wow, I got 12 of these that I ordered last time they where like $10 each. Sweet!!!!!!
They have been just sitting around still in case. Feel free to buy me lunch with your winnings. Using a BOGO coupon from here of course... LOL
SteveDusa
Nerdy Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 10:48a
WOW Thanks a LOT OP!!!!
BTW for those who still have them in the box and don't want to open it to find out the PID... here's a trick. On the back of the clam shell packaging, look for the barcode... format it as such: 75810-600-(last 6 digit of the S/N)-(5 digit lot number, if it's 4 digit then add another 0 in the front).
I was able to get all 4 of mine refunded. Great info OP!
miamikk
Senior Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 10:52a
Did you give the information about all 4 readers at a time or you had to call 4 different times ?
Does anyone know if I can get the refund just for the sole finger print reader or even the MS keyboards with integrated fingerprint reader are eligible ??
SteveDusa said:WOW Thanks a LOT OP!!!!
BTW for those who still have them in the box and don't want to open it to find out the PID... here's a trick. On the back of the clam shell packaging, look for the barcode... format it as such: 75810-600-(last 6 digit of the S/N)-(5 digit lot number, if it's 4 digit then add another 0 in the front).
I was able to get all 4 of mine refunded. Great info OP!
SteveDusa
Nerdy Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 10:54a
miamikk said:Did you give the information about all 4 readers at a time or you had to call 4 different times ?
Does anyone know if I can get the refund just for the sole finger print reader or even the MS keyboards with integrated fingerprint reader are eligible ??
Just called once, tell them you how much you have and they'll ask you each of the PIDs. Name, address, phone and done!
HayaBuddha
Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 11:08a
Any idea if this will work for the MS Fingerprint keyboard too?
Xbrady, is it that you just like to give red to my posts, or are you just a Richard Cranium? I usually just ignore your drive-by reds, but this time I really would like to know what is bad about this deal? There were a LOT of us who bought these things on the cheap from both OD and CC a while back. We get to keep the product, albeit it has limited usage these days, and we MAKE $30 as well? Oh, and no one really knew the damned program from M$ even existed! M$ certainly wasn't telling anyone.
So what is it? Do you have a legitimate beef, or do you get to be the only person I have ever put on ignore on this site?
Updated post to include that the Micro$oft Optical Desktop with Integrated Fingerprint Reader was also included in the plan.
stuffedwallet
Senior Member - 1K
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 11:48a
Thanks OP.
Just called and $39.95 + tax check is being sent in about 2 weeks.
impasse
Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 12:02p
called and spoke with jill; forgot these have three-year warranty, so i imagine most people who bought these would fall within that period. no troubles with my one (that i actually use on an old desktop..sort of); tried to act surprised when she offered full msrp back, heh..thanks much, op!
there was also an "intellimouse explorer with fingerprint reader" pic that i would imagine also qualifies. it had a nice bluish hue that was different from the regular silver and special edition ones, but i never could figure out why they created a new design for it instead of just including the standalone one.
edit: fixed image link.
deshwasi
Senior Member - 2K
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 12:09p
ho ho ho.. merry christmas OP. free $40 coming.. off to buy some on craigslist j/k..
They're giving refunds for all product made since the device's inception in 2004. Even out of warranty they are refunding MSRP on these because they advertised and promised that they were going to be 64-Bit compatible. M$ just ended up being too cheap to pay Digital Persona's licensing fees. Someone on a MS TechNet thread mentioned that Logitech had purchased Digital Persona, so that in the end may have been why M$ refused to continue to support the products with the promised new drivers.
stuffedwallet
Senior Member - 1K
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 12:15p
When I had listed this on CL about 2 years ago there was no buyer. It was lying in a box and now I am getting $43.xx. good deal. Originally got FAR.
deshwasi said:ho ho ho.. merry christmas OP. free $40 coming.. off to buy some on craigslist j/k..
Just called and provided the information. CS said it may take up to 6-8 weeks for the check!
reminbi2000
Broke Member
posted: May. 15, 2009 @ 12:39p
Holy SHXT! - I bought TONS of these when OD on sale $10.00 and sold them all with some handsome profits! Now I wish I am still keeping them in my basement. -
That is a smoking hot deal, OP! Maybe I should send a note to all the buyers. Hey, here is $40 plus tax for you! -
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j/k..
