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Traveling With Your Computer: Dell™ Latitude™C600/C500 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.
Dell recommends that you follow these precautions before you travel with your 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 Microsoft® 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. (For
instructions on using the appropriate text editor, see the documentation that came with your operating
system.)
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 an alphanumeric code 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, Dell suggests that you 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