What can I do if my thinkpad got stolen?

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cchsiao · #1 Post by **cchsiao** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:10 pm

Today I went out for lunch for about 1 and half hours. When I came back, I found that the front door of my apartment is unlocked and finally found that my thinkpad (model 2668G7U) is stolen. I have contacted the police and he already got information about that laptop. What I wanna know is that what I can do next in order to help the police to find my laptop back. Can I call IBM and asked them to locate my laptop when it's online or something like that? Thanks for your advice.

c333 · #2 Post by **c333** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:14 pm

No, i believe that such tracking services have to have preinstalled hidden software, and require a subscription, so no way of doing it after the fact. IBM will void the warranty for any stolen laptop. You could report it to your homeowner's insurance and they should pay for it above the deductible, but it may not be worth it if it makes your rates go up. If you used any of IBM's security passwords and such, they will still be there even after a reformat (unlike a windows password), so at least they can't use it.

pphilipko · #3 Post by **pphilipko** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:15 pm

Report your thinkpad STOLEN immediately to IBM. Every second counts. They suspend the warranty and if anyone tries to send it in to warranty repair, etc., they will contact the police and track him/her down.

egibbs · #4 Post by **egibbs** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:18 am

Watch this forum fior some loser claiming to have forgotten the password for their laptop, begging for someone to tell them how to hack it, and then turning threatening/insulting when no one has an answer.

Ground Loop · #5 Post by **Ground Loop** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 12:59 pm

You did have a power-on password, right?

And maybe a hard disk password so even that part is useless to the thief too?

Your confidential data all locked up with the Security Subsystem?

At least you have some small comfort knowing they stole a doorstop. Sucks, though. "unlocked front door" implies they had a key or something -- I'd be more worried about what they will collect next time they visit.

cchsiao · #6 Post by **cchsiao** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:15 pm

I think I already did whatever I can do, including reporting to the police, contacting IBM to stop the warranty, changing all my password on the website (since I didn't set any password on my thinkpad except entering the BIOS), and so on... I don't know how much information the thief will get from my stolen thinkpad. Hopefully it will be less than what I expect.

The part and serial numbers of my lost thinkpad is: 2668G7U L3B6297. If your are going to buy a 2nd hand thinkpad, please check if you are buying a stolen one.

#7 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:01 am

watch ebay..
watch for neghibors with a new thinkpad..
watch at a local hot spot if any..

there might be other ways to look for your thinkpad..

like who would have the opportunity to go into and ransack your apartment..
what else was taken..? thinkpad only..? if so, who know about your thinkpad..??

put your mind to it and use reason to sort out if it could have been an acquaintance..

What can I do if my thinkpad got stolen?

What can I do if my thinkpad got stolen?

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