Travel Precautions

The Problem:

It’s tough to live without one’s computer, particularly when traveling abroad for an extended period of time. The PC is such a powerful tool to help you stay in touch with family and friends, confirm flight departures, secure lodging and check out local activities. However, problems arise when considering voltage and electrical outlet differences and security. What can you do to ensure you and your computer have a terrific vacation?

The Solution:

I am writing this column from Prague, having attended a friend’s wedding last week in Poland. On this trip I brought my Fujitsu P series laptop. I like its small size, fitting nicely on any tiny tray table found in coach seating! I also packed a USA/Europe voltage converter, an extra laptop battery, my DVD/CD drive so I can watch movies and burn photos from my digital camera, a five-foot network cable and a five-foot standard phone wire, just in case my only option is dial-up.

Before you embark on your trip, you will want to:

1. Backup any data on your laptop you wouldn't want to live without. Though the likelihood may be small, you never know if your computer will get lost, stolen or destroyed while on the trip. The unit is replaceable, but the data could be priceless.

2. Related to theft, document the make, model and serial number of your laptop. Etch your name, email and work contact phone number on the bottom of the unit. Do not include your home address or home phone number. That’s private info. Consider using tracing services like www.PCPhoneHome.com and www.ZTrace.com.

3. Protect your data in the event of theft. Create a BIOS Password by pressing the DEL key several times immediately after the boot screen comes up. This will get you into the BIOS setup. (Some manufacturers use a different keystroke. Check your computer's manual if you‚re having problems.) Look for something like 'set password'. Enter a password; write it down someplace safe, save the password and then exit. You will be asked for the password the next time you start your computer.

4. Determine whether the hotels where you’ll be staying offer Internet access. Call if possible. Often times the hotel advertises Internet access even though it may be temporarily out-of-order, or restricted to only the lobby.

5. Consider a short-term subscription to a wireless Internet service provider like T-Mobile or even a dial-up provider. Be sure to get the local access numbers for the dial-up so you don’t have to call long distance to get a connection.

6. Bring a good pair of noise canceling, inner ear headphones so you can enjoy your DVDs on the plane and elsewhere. Check out the Fontopia headphones at www.SonyStyle.com.

7. Be sure your laptop has virus/spyware protection and a software based firewall. XP users can turn on its built-in firewall via their Control Panel.

8. Always exercise caution...and common sense. Realize that your laptop is actually very valuable to someone else. Public computers found at airports and hotel lobbies truly are public; so don‚t use them for anything that you wouldn't want strangers to monitor. And never forget that unsecured wireless networks truly are unsecured.

James Kerr is President/CEO of SuperGeeks, a Hawaii-based computer service and repair company (www.supergeeks.net). Send questions, comments and suggestions to help@supergeeks.net or call 942-0773.