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Traveling With Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™ C810 User's Guide

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	Identifying Your Computer		Traveling by Air
	Packing the Computer		If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen
	Travel Tips

Identifying Your Computer

• Attach a nametag or business card to the computer, or, use a permanent marker or stencil to write a unique identifying mark (such as your driver's license number) on the computer. If a lost or stolen computer is recovered, such marking identifies the computer as your property.

• Write down your service tag sequence and store it in a safe place separate from the computer or carrying case. If the computer is lost or stolen, use the service tag sequence when reporting to law enforcement officials and to Dell.

• Use a text editor (such as Microsoft® Windows® Notepad) to create a file on the Windows desktop called if_found. Place information such as your name, address, and telephone number in this file.

• Contact your credit card company, and ask if it offers coded identification tags that allow your property to be returned to you without revealing your name, address, or telephone number.

Packing the Computer

• Remove any external devices attached to the computer and store them in a safe place. Remove any cables attached to installed PC Cards (you do not have to remove the PC Cards themselves).

• To make the computer as light as possible, remove all drive modules from the modular bay, and install the travel module.

• To maximize battery operating time, fully charge the main battery and any spare batteries you plan to carry with you.

• Turn off the computer or put the computer into hibernate mode.

• Disconnect the AC adapter.

NOTICE: When the display is closed, extraneous items on the keyboard could damage the display.

• Remove any extraneous items, such as paper clips, pens, and paper, from the keyboard and then close the display.

• Use the optional Dell carrying case.

• Avoid packing the computer with items such as shaving cream, colognes, perfumes, or food.

• Protect the computer, the batteries, and the hard drive from hazards such as extreme temperatures and overexposure to sunlight, dirt, dust, or liquids.

• Pack the computer so that it does not slide around in the trunk of your car or in an overhead storage compartment.

NOTICE: Do not check the computer as baggage.

Travel Tips

NOTICE: Do not use the CD, DVD, or CD-RW drive while the computer is in motion. Doing so could interrupt the flow of data to and from the CD, DVD, or CD-RW drive and the hard drive or floppy drive.

• Consider changing your power management options to maximize battery operating time.

• If you are traveling internationally, carry proof of ownership—or of your right to use the computer if it is company-owned—to speed your passage through customs. Investigate the customs regulations of the countries you plan to visit and consider acquiring an international carnet (also known as a merchandise passport) from your government if you travel through many different countries. A carnet is an international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. 

• Make sure that you know which electrical outlets are used in the countries you will visit, and have appropriate power adapters.

• Check with your credit card company for information about the kinds of emergency travel assistance they offer to portable computer users. Many companies provide services to help you solve problems, such as quickly locating floppy disks or providing a direct-dial telephone line for your modem connection.

Traveling by Air

• Be sure to have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on the computer.

NOTICE: Do not put the computer through a metal detector.

• Have airport security personnel check the computer by hand. If the computer passes through a metal detector, you might lose data. If you must pass the computer through a metal detector, first remove the hard drive.

• Before you use the computer on an airplane, check the in-flight magazine or ask the flight crew to verify that such usage is permitted. Some airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during the flight. All airlines forbid the use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen

• Call a law enforcement agency to report the lost or stolen computer. Include the service tag sequence in your description of the computer. Ask that a case number be assigned and write down the number, along with the name, address, and telephone number of the law enforcement agency. If possible, obtain the name of the investigating officer.

• If the computer belongs to a company, notify the security office of the firm.

• Call Dell customer support to report the missing computer. Provide the computer's service tag sequence, the case number, and the name, address, and telephone number of the law enforcement agency to which you reported the missing computer. If possible, give the name of the investigating officer.

The Dell support technician will log your report under the computer's service tag sequence and flag the computer as missing or stolen. If someone calls Dell for technical assistance and gives your service tag sequence, the computer is identified automatically as missing or stolen. The technician will attempt to get the phone number and address of the caller. Dell will then contact the law enforcement agency to which you made the report of the missing or stolen computer.

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