Thinkpads Forum

Read the thread about someone's X200s being stolen and want to gear up in case that happens to me. How do I activate GPS on my laptop? I have an AT&T 3G card (not activated, I use a Sprint 3G Express Card for internet). I would also like to activate the BIOS password (this would prevent users from loading the OS right?). What about encrypting the hard drive so data cannot be retrieved if loaded elsewhere?

Sorry to ask question that may have been asked before, but I need answers and already used the search function on this site. I am using Windows 7 Ultimate/64 by the way. I backup my files regularly.

Don't know enough about gps to help you, but to activate the bios password:

1. While system boots press F1
2. Look for security settings
3. Turn on power or password (pop) and supervisor password. The pop on it's own can be circumvented, so enable supervisor password to protect the bios.
4. If your data is critical enable the hard drive password, but this makes a 2nd password to type during boot up.

Note that it may be harder to recover your system with passwords set, but it will prevent access to data. I suggest downloading a program called predator and making a password-less guest account. Then you can configure snapshots to be taken with the webcam, automatic wifi triangulation or gps, screenshots, and loads of other stuff.

I think it may be possible to recover the stolen laptop using Intel AMT, but I do not know if that revision supports use of the gps.


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if you have a fingerprint reader, then life is easy. first go to the bios and set all available passwords. in the same screen on the bios there should be a setting for enabling the fingerprint reader for these passwords. then, boot windows and go to the fingerprint app. go to settings, and enable the fingerprint reader for the power on paswords. also, enable single-wipe logon. what you have now: your system is completely locked down, it's useless to anyone else than you, but you can start your tablet with a single swipe over the scanner and all your passwords are filled in automagically.
intel AMT supports recovering a stolen laptop, but you do need a subscription for a company like Lojack to use it. I have a premium subscription for 4 years computrace lojack, it was at a discount with my X201T, and it's pretty easy to set up, it remains running all the time, and uses GPS and triangulation to determine the position of the laptop. if necessary, I can remotely lock down my laptop.

Daniel Bakker wrote: intel AMT supports recovering a stolen laptop, but you do need a subscription for a company like Lojack to use it. I have a premium subscription for 4 years computrace lojack, it was at a discount with my X201T, and it's pretty easy to set up, it remains running all the time, and uses GPS and triangulation to determine the position of the laptop. if necessary, I can remotely lock down my laptop.

I was going to order the Computrace on my X220T build, until I read the reviews on Amazon.com. No thanks!