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Old laptop/notebook (not mine) just got stolen... What to do to get it back?
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Old laptop/notebook (not mine) just got stolen... What to do to get it back? ANTant 06-16-2008
Posted by ANTant on June 16, 2008, 5:08 pm
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 Hello.

I just found out that someone's old laptop/notebook got stolen in Spain
in an airport on a trip. He has already reported to the police over
there about it.

The computer is protected with BIOS, but I am sure computer experts can
find ways around it. The HDD is not fully encrypted (does use TrueCrypt
v4 for some important datas though, but not like songs, photos., etc.).
It is running Toshiba OEM Windows XP Media Center 2004 SP2 with IE6.0
SP2 and all critical updates and optional softwares.

I am not sure what other programs phone home like his iTunes, Toshiba
software, etc. Is there anything else? I know it has an old NAV version
(I think 2004?) that does AutoLU if it is boots up Windows (after
logging in). I wonder if this is even worth finding out the IP address
if it ever gets connected from its boot up. Has anyone tried that?

Are there anything else to try to improve the chances of getting the
stolen laptop/notebook back? Is contacting Toshiba worth trying? I
believe the owner still has the serial number.

I know the chances of getting it back is very slim especially in a
foreign country.

Thank you in advance. :(
--
"We are anthill men upon an anthill world." --Ray Bradbury
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

Posted by GG Willikers on June 16, 2008, 6:11 pm
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 ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I just found out that someone's old laptop/notebook got stolen in Spain
> in an airport on a trip. He has already reported to the police over
> there about it.
>
> The computer is protected with BIOS, but I am sure computer experts can
> find ways around it. The HDD is not fully encrypted (does use TrueCrypt
> v4 for some important datas though, but not like songs, photos., etc.).
> It is running Toshiba OEM Windows XP Media Center 2004 SP2 with IE6.0
> SP2 and all critical updates and optional softwares.
>
> I am not sure what other programs phone home like his iTunes, Toshiba
> software, etc. Is there anything else? I know it has an old NAV version
> (I think 2004?) that does AutoLU if it is boots up Windows (after
> logging in). I wonder if this is even worth finding out the IP address
> if it ever gets connected from its boot up. Has anyone tried that?
>
> Are there anything else to try to improve the chances of getting the
> stolen laptop/notebook back? Is contacting Toshiba worth trying? I
> believe the owner still has the serial number.
>
> I know the chances of getting it back is very slim especially in a
> foreign country.
>
> Thank you in advance. :(

Unless you have the mac address (which can be spoofed), you are not
getting it back.

Post a no questions asked reward for more than it's worth, you might get
a bite.

Posted by BillW50 on June 16, 2008, 6:24 pm
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GG Willikers typed on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:11:50 -0400:
> ANTant@zimage.com wrote:
>> Hello.
>>
>> I just found out that someone's old laptop/notebook got stolen in
>> Spain in an airport on a trip. He has already reported to the police
>> over there about it.
>>
>> The computer is protected with BIOS, but I am sure computer experts
>> can find ways around it.

Sometimes it costs more than what the laptop is worth.

>> The HDD is not fully encrypted (does use
>> TrueCrypt v4 for some important datas though, but not like songs,
>> photos., etc.). It is running Toshiba OEM Windows XP Media Center
>> 2004 SP2 with IE6.0 SP2 and all critical updates and optional
>> softwares. I am not sure what other programs phone home like his
>> iTunes, Toshiba
>> software, etc. Is there anything else? I know it has an old NAV
>> version (I think 2004?) that does AutoLU if it is boots up Windows
>> (after logging in). I wonder if this is even worth finding out the
>> IP address if it ever gets connected from its boot up. Has anyone
>> tried that? Are there anything else to try to improve the chances of
>> getting the
>> stolen laptop/notebook back? Is contacting Toshiba worth trying? I
>> believe the owner still has the serial number.

I would do this, as Toshiba is the place to go to unlock the BIOS in
some cases.

>> I know the chances of getting it back is very slim especially in a
>> foreign country.
>>
>> Thank you in advance. :(
>
> Unless you have the mac address (which can be spoofed), you are not
> getting it back.
>
> Post a no questions asked reward for more than it's worth, you might
> get a bite.

--
Bill
Gateway Celeron M 370 (1.5GHZ)
MX6124 (laptop) w/1GB
Windows XP Home SP2 (60GB HD)
Intel(r) 910GML (64MB shared)


Posted by ANTant on June 16, 2008, 7:47 pm
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>>> I just found out that someone's old laptop/notebook got stolen in
>>> Spain in an airport on a trip. He has already reported to the police
>>> over there about it.
>>>
>>> The computer is protected with BIOS, but I am sure computer experts
>>> can find ways around it.
>
> Sometimes it costs more than what the laptop is worth.
>
>>> The HDD is not fully encrypted (does use
>>> TrueCrypt v4 for some important datas though, but not like songs,
>>> photos., etc.). It is running Toshiba OEM Windows XP Media Center
>>> 2004 SP2 with IE6.0 SP2 and all critical updates and optional
>>> softwares. I am not sure what other programs phone home like his
>>> iTunes, Toshiba
>>> software, etc. Is there anything else? I know it has an old NAV
>>> version (I think 2004?) that does AutoLU if it is boots up Windows
>>> (after logging in). I wonder if this is even worth finding out the
>>> IP address if it ever gets connected from its boot up. Has anyone
>>> tried that? Are there anything else to try to improve the chances of
>>> getting the
>>> stolen laptop/notebook back? Is contacting Toshiba worth trying? I
>>> believe the owner still has the serial number.
>
> I would do this, as Toshiba is the place to go to unlock the BIOS in
> some cases.

OK. I need help then. How do I e-mail Toshiba to tell about this
situation? Their Web site has no e-mail/online form contacts. Only
telephone numbers which is annoying (outsourced).


>>> I know the chances of getting it back is very slim especially in a
>>> foreign country.
>>>
>>> Thank you in advance. :(
>>
>> Unless you have the mac address (which can be spoofed), you are not
>> getting it back.

True.


>> Post a no questions asked reward for more than it's worth, you might
>> get a bite.

What did you mean by that?
--
"We are anthill men upon an anthill world." --Ray Bradbury
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

Posted by BillW50 on June 17, 2008, 9:26 am
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ANTant@zimage.com typed on 16 Jun 2008 23:47:32 GMT:
>>>> The HDD is not fully encrypted (does use
>>>> TrueCrypt v4 for some important datas though, but not like songs,
>>>> photos., etc.). It is running Toshiba OEM Windows XP Media Center
>>>> 2004 SP2 with IE6.0 SP2 and all critical updates and optional
>>>> softwares. I am not sure what other programs phone home like his
>>>> iTunes, Toshiba
>>>> software, etc. Is there anything else? I know it has an old NAV
>>>> version (I think 2004?) that does AutoLU if it is boots up Windows
>>>> (after logging in). I wonder if this is even worth finding out the
>>>> IP address if it ever gets connected from its boot up. Has anyone
>>>> tried that? Are there anything else to try to improve the chances
>>>> of getting the
>>>> stolen laptop/notebook back? Is contacting Toshiba worth trying? I
>>>> believe the owner still has the serial number.
>>
>> I would do this, as Toshiba is the place to go to unlock the BIOS in
>> some cases.
>
> OK. I need help then. How do I e-mail Toshiba to tell about this
> situation? Their Web site has no e-mail/online form contacts. Only
> telephone numbers which is annoying (outsourced).

The only way to email Toshiba that I know of is:

Email Toshibadirect.com Customer Service
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/emailus.to?msg=os

Note: Email support is intended for current ToshibaDirect.com customers
with open orders or issues. For other inquiries or to speak with a
Toshiba customer service representative, please call 888-255-7816,
Monday – Friday 6am-6pm PST or Saturday 6:30am-2:30pm PST.

[...]

>>> Post a no questions asked reward for more than it's worth, you might
>>> get a bite.
>
> What did you mean by that?

I think what GG Willikers means is say if the laptop is worth $2000,
offer like a $3000 reward for it.

--
Bill
Gateway Celeron M 370 (1.5GHZ)
MX6124 (laptop) w/1GB
Windows XP Home SP2 (60GB HD)
Intel(r) 910GML (64MB shared)


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