Dell Latitude CPi A - Manual (Page 9)

Back to Contents Page
Traveling With Your Computer: Dell
™
Latitude
™
CPi A-Series
System User's Guide
Identifying Your Computer | Preparing Your Computer for Travel | Travel Tips
Identifying Your Computer
As an antitheft measure, assign a primary password and a hard-disk drive password to prohibit unauthorized
access to the computer.
Write down your service tag number, and put it in a safe place separate from the computer or carrying
case. If the computer is lost or stolen, use the service tag number when reporting to law enforcement
officials and to Dell.
Use a text editor (such as Windows® Notepad) to create a file called if_found in your root directory.
Place information such as your name, address, and telephone number in this file. (See the
documentation that came with your operating system for instructions on using the appropriate text
editor.)
Attach your business card or other name tag to the computer.
Contact your credit-card company and ask if it offers coded identification tags that allow your property
to be returned to you without the risk of revealing your name, address, or telephone number.
Use a permanent marking or stenciling device to write your driver’s license number or some other
unique identifying mark on the computer. If a lost or stolen computer is recovered, such marking
identifies the computer as your property.
Service Tag Number
The service tag number is a 5-character number on a bar code label located on the bottom of the computer.
The number is unique to your computer and allows Dell technical assistance personnel to identify the
computer and its configuration quickly if you call for assistance.
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
If your computer is lost or stolen, perform the following steps:
1. Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer.
Include the service tag number in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be
assigned, and write it down. Also write down the name, address, and telephone number of the
law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.
If you know where the computer was lost or stolen, call a law enforcement agency in that area. If
you do not know, call a law enforcement agency where you live.
2. If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the firm.
3. Call Dell technical assistance to report the missing computer.