[GRLUG] Cheap Laptop Needed

[Michael Mol]

On 3/30/07, Greg Folkert <greg at gregfolkert.net> wrote:
> On Fri, 2007-03-30 at 13:54 -0400, phillip hebenstreit wrote:
> > HI,
> >
> > There is a software product called LoJack that tracks down your stolen
> > laptop and gives you info to give to the police.  I think they also
> > help you get it back.  All the new Dells come with a homing program
> > built into the bios that does the same thing.
>
> "Dude you are getting a jail sentence!"... No there is not a BIOS
> related homing program. What kind of crack did you buy and where can I
> get some?
>
> No, really, BIOS doesn't have this kind of support. If it did, imagine 3
> years from now how much traffic Dell's servers would be doing on *JUST*
> the machine sold in the previous 3 years. Imagine properly sold
> machine... you buy the Dell from your company or relative, BAM the
> police arrive and arrest you. Oops, you company/relative forgot to
> transfer the "location" and authentication info to you.
>
> No, you are thinking about the early boot programs that do that, for
> Windows only. MACs have that built-into the OS.
>
> Not even beginning to be in the BIOS. Maybe 20 years off.

I wouldn't be surprised if modern BIOS could do it.  Heck, many are
already DHCP and PXE clients.  Why couldn't they send a simple ICMP
packet?  It's not like there's not enough room for the code.  You can
get a 2GB USB flash drive for $20 these days.

Before anybody asks:
http://www.amazon.com/Kingmax-Super-Stick-Worlds-Tiniest/dp/B000JWTQLI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-7705578-1439814?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1175279053&sr=8-1

-- 
:wq