Transcend JetFlash 220 – 2 GB Biometric USB 2.0 Flash Drive TS2GJF220

2 Comments

1. Comment by M. R. Smith — February 8, 2010 @ 10:43 pm

   As noted in other reviews for the 2GB, 4GB, 8GB or 16GB versions, this implementation of biometric passwords suffers from some limitations that would be deal-breakers were this a $100 unit. As it is, got two of them for just over $40.

   Updated 2009-12-16 after weeks of use:

   Some pros and cons that have received scattered mention:
   
   Pro:
   
   - tightens up Windows security by disabling “Fast User Switching” (that may also be a con if this is a multi-user PC)
   
   - portable: tried 3 different JF220 USB Flash Drives (different models), each of them accepted the backup profile and entered the userid/password combination mapped to the fingerprint correctly
   
   - simple setup, except for advanced functions

   Con:
   
   - cannot install on a multi-user PC and switch between userids, must “Log Out” or “Shut Down” from one ID before going to another
   
   - locks out some system utilities sometimes (such as Taskmgr and Ctrl-Alt-Delete) not a clue yet why this happens sometimes (on different XP PCs) and not others
   
   - locks up the Transcend manager tool when fetching “Favorites” and some other variations
   
   - though release updates have appeared, they are not accompanied by any information on what fixes are included that I can locate
   
   - for advanced functions, like Windows log-in using the JetFlash fingerprint reader, had to reboot XP twice (again on two different PCs)
   
   - if you attempt to uninstall drivers and not use, there are remnants that may remain set in the registry, even using updated drivers
   
   - can cause long delays and locking of Explorer even after uninstalling the Transcend drivers

   Net: even for the price, especially of the 2GB Jetflash JF220, very little value, steer clear! Even if installing on a single user PC, or one where log-out/log-in between users, this product does not work well. And it is hard to disable the security features and reformat so that it can be used as plain USB device.

   Rating: 2 / 5

2. Comment by I. Schonfeld — February 8, 2010 @ 11:01 pm

   What looks like a great idea suffers from very poor execution, and results in a product that’s a never ending annoyance. And it isn’t the fingerprint reader that’s the problem – it’s the basic drive itself.

   First, there are two areas that the drive provides, a public “drive” and a secure “drive”. But when you enter your fingerprint or password to open up the secure drive, the public drive goes away. So you can’t see both drives at the same time.

   Problems get worse when you try to remove the drive. Close any programs or windows that were using the drive, and you’d think you could use the USB manager to “Stop” access and allow it to be removed. Not so. You need to power down the machine, because it keeps saying the drive is in use. Tried this on two very different machines, same result.

   The fingerprint reader is usable but requires multiple swipes to get a good read. Lucky there is a text password alternative or you might not get in at all.

   Also beware if you use this drive to manage your browser Favorites – it screws up Internet Explorer to a point where you lose your existing Favorites entirely.
   Rating: 2 / 5

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