XP Media Edition and old Fingerprint Scanner in Helios 11.5.1

[PerfectExposure]

Question for everyone!

I have just purchased 3 new PCs (HPs) running Windows XP Media Center Edition because I knew Vista was on it's way and I knew Helios wouldn't support that for however long. I called Helios from the store (last November I think) when I was purchasing the PCs and asked if I could run XP Media Center Edition because the guy at the store told me it was basically the same as XP Pro. The Tech Rep at Helios said the same thing to go ahead and purchase, so I did.

We finally got around to getting the upgrade-tried to get it last year and they claim they sent it to us and someone signed for it but I never recieved it and I had to pay $899. Then they were going to charge me again until I freaked out on the phone-the person who they have dealing with this is the rudest person and should not be employed to speak to customers who give Helios money (I have been paying for and using Helios since 2001).

Anyway we upgraded Sunday night (Feb.25th) and did fine everything worked ok, not great because we had to convert the TMAX Manager to USB which was a pain and it's a little tempermental. However when we got to the part where you install the fingerprint reader the instructions were to STOP and Call HELIOS Tech Support. I was told on Friday that they offered 24 hour support, however no one answered and no one returned our voicemails even though we were at the store working on this until 2am.

I finally got through to HELIOS about 10am the next morning and have spent the better part of the last two days either on the phone with them trying all the different drivers on the CD installing and uninstalling...etc. While trying to run the salon and our season has definately begun! After finally being told today after the last 137 minute phone call that Digital Persona does not support their old hardware on XP Media Center Edition. They told me they can do no more for me from Helios because the software (Drivers) comes directly from Digital Persona-which is funny because they say the reason we can't buy a Digital Persona Fingerprint Scanner from Best Buy is because they are programmed by HELIOS. Anyone else see the inconsistency?

My question is this: Has anyone else had this problem with XP Media Edition? I have upgraded Helios several times and never had a problem with the Fingerprint Readers I purchased them in 2001 from Helios. I even offered to buy new ones but they can't guarantee they will work with XP Media Center Edition

If anyone knows anything about this or has a fix or suggestion please help me out!! Thank you!

Jess

[Neon Beach]

Scrap the fingerprint scanner.........................

[PerfectExposure]

NEVER. Fingerprint scanners are the only thing you have to track who is doing what where. I am dealing with the states attorney to prosecute a former employee for theft and the key to this is the Menu Audit Report which shoes you every time someone puts in their password to print a report or master edit...etc. Of course my passwords require a thumbprint so they can't have their friends punch them in or give out their passwords to the other employees who have basic access. My manager used her password and therefore thumbprint to collect cash for unit packages and master edit the number so the customer could tan, she had the money and no one was the wiser...until we started noticing. I couldn't prove the case without that thumbprint so I am determined to get it back!

[vancouverkelly]

The first thing you need to do is get rid of Helios.

The reason they reprogram the fingerprint scanner is so that they can sell you a $75 device for $300 or $400. I bought 3 from them that didn't even work and they wouldn't even refund the money. Scott Bogdan literally told me "tough luck."

25 hr tech support - I'm willing to bet that for the most part this is just another thing that they advertise but don't follow through with.

I switched my 4 salons over to Sunlync and I'd suggest switching to another one of the software companies because Helios will screw you over and over until you do.

Good luck!

[vancouverkelly]

p.s. I should mention that Steve from Tech Support at Helios rocks and was the only decent thing about that whole company (even though he makes derogatory remarks about Canadians).

Steve - please go apply at Sunlync.

Sunlync - please go hire Steve.

Thanks,

[PerfectExposure]

I also agree that Steve was great from Helios, he really seemed to feel bad that he couldn't fix this.

[vancouverkelly]

I had several instances with Helios where Steve said he could fix the problem but that the higher ups at Helios wouldn't allow him to for one reason or another.

The last straw was when they wouldn't let Steve help me convert (not even help...just provide a utility) my sales codes to UPC codes when I bought a scanner from some place other than Helios. I was paying full support fees for 3 salons and they had the balls to tell Steve that he wasn't allowed to assist me with anything related to UPC codes. I hope it was worth the couple thousand dollars a year they are not getting from me now.

This is what you can expect with Helios, ETS, and Australian Gold....stay away!