The story of my new T42 - How do you remove asset tags?

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Dr Dan · #1 Post by **Dr Dan** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:33 pm

Well, I'm now a member of the club. I ordered a new T42 from IBM on their educational scheme and i just picked it up from UPS today...

It was an interesting experience.

First I specced the exact same machine 3 times and got 3 different quotes. When I actually chose one of the quotes and paid for it, the invoice came back for about $200 more than the quote. So I phoned up the rep dealing with my order (very nice to have a name and direct line number even for an online number) and explained the situation. He requoted - and came out with a figure that was BELOW all of my previous quotes. Still the exact same machine!!! He also agreed to upgrade me to 2 day shipping FOC. Told me I would have the machine in 3 to 4 days - even though the website was saying no stock and 10 day lead time.

So I waited 2 days and didn't hear anything. Looked online and saw it had been marked for ground shipping. Called the shipping department and they were telling me another 10 days - then suggested I called the rep back about the shipping. Spoke to the rep and he said it would be another day or two before it shipped - and he would do his best to upgrade the shipping.

Then I get an email the very same day telling me the machine had shipped. And today I came home to find UPS has tried to deliver! So after a long wait at the UPS office tonight I finally got my hands on the machine.

So far so good - very pleased with IBM's service - even if parts of it (the online bit and order status bit) were very disorganised.

So I get the machine aout of the box - and find a HUGE and UGLY asset tag on TOP of the lid!!! My only experience of asset tags is on Dells - and they are placed on the bottom of the machine. I really don't want such a horrible sticker spoiling the look of my new laptop - nor do I want my name emblazoned on the lid for everyone to see.

Do I have any options at this point? Are they removable? I'm guessing they are designed NOT to be. One thought is to colour it black with a permanent marker so at least it blends in with the lid. IBM really should make it clear where they place these tags.

If anybody has any suggestions I'd love to hear.

Right - now on to unpacking the rest of the box and getting her all set up!

Thanks for a great forum.

Best wishes,

Dan.

lfeagan · #2 Post by **lfeagan** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:11 pm

Well, I think there is a pretty good reason for wanting it on top. Here are the placement criterion:
1) Must not interfere with any screw holes, service flaps, etc
2) Must not interfere with any text on the bottom of the machine, such as stickers with Windows Licenses, showing screw sizes, etc.
3) Must not cause the laptop to be unable to dock with any of the docks available
4) Must not cause the laptop to be unlevel when on a flat surface

So, with these criterion in mind I started thinking about where you could successfully place it on the bottom. I thought about it for a few minutes and really couldn't come up with a good place to put it on the bottom. Maybe on the area that is below the palm rest would work out.

Note: the IBM website pretty explicitly says the following:

The asset tag is placed in an IBM-designated location. A duplicate label is placed on the outside of the carton.

Link

Also, they mention that asset tags "may be selected in a variety of sizes."

With that in mind, what are the dimensions of your tag?

Dr Dan · #3 Post by **Dr Dan** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 10:22 pm

Thanks for the reply.

An IBM designated location is not exactly descriptive is it? Also - no mention of being able to choose size at the point of ordering.

Looking at the base of the machine it seems there's plenty of space for an asset tag. Even one the size they have used on mine could be placed near the TX FCC ID label. Or they could produce a smaller label and put it near the Export Part No label - or in the recess above the Windows XP sticker - that would seem ideal.

Maybe I'll get used to it. Was just a BIG shock on getting the machine out of the box.

I have the machine up and running now. Beautiful to use. I had concerns about viewing angle of the 14.1" panel. Horizontally it is excellent, but vertically could be better. Still - not at all bad - and much better than my Samsung X10 panel.

Dan

PS - My tag is 3" by 1.5"

sugo · #4 Post by **sugo** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:04 am

Dan can you post a picture? I don't think thinkpads come with these tags by default?

aleung · #5 Post by **aleung** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:29 am

yes.. can you post a picture ?

Dr Dan · #6 Post by **Dr Dan** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 10:01 am

Sure! No problem.

No - the tags don't come by default - they are a $10 option. As I say - I thought it would be on the base of the machine - and would make a good ant-theft measure...

Image 1
Image 2

I'll phone IBM next week and see if they can be removed. I saw mention on these forums of a tag you can buy which you place yourself. The company gives you a unique tracking number - and if the tag is removed it leaves a "tattoo" on the chasis.

Plinkerton · #7 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 11:12 am

[censored], that thing is ugly...

aleung · #8 Post by **aleung** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 11:25 am

[censored].. I plan to order it.. it is [censored] ugl

ssdaytona · #9 Post by **ssdaytona** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 11:55 am

whoa,

if you can't remove it without any damage then send that thing back to ibm for a new one.

#10 Post by **JaneL** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 12:27 pm

>if you can't remove it without any damage then send that thing back to ibm for a new one.
>

I don't think he has justification for returning it for that reason. He said he specifically ordered the optional asset tag, and here is the description from IBM's "let-me-build-it" order page:

*******

IBM Asset Tag - Identifying and tracking assets is a challenge for most businesses. The IBM Asset Tag is a tamper-evident asset tag installed on your equipment before it is delivered. IBM Asset Tags help you identify equipment for stock checks, link end-users to company assets and may help deter theft.

The IBM Asset Tag is a 1" x 2" tamper-evident label with gray background and black print and includes the following information:

Company Name or Customer Name (limited to the first 25 characters in the "ship to" field of your order)
Machine Type & Model Number (readable)
Serial Number with barcode
Asset Number with barcode
A duplicate label (2" x 3") will also be placed on the outside of the PC carton.

*******

The description is pretty plain that once it's there, it's there, and quite frankly what would be the point of having an asset tag if it could be removed easily. As far as placement on the lid, that's the most obvious place to put it since it's visible (discouraging theft and making it easy to see during inventory) and it doesn't interfere with any vents, screws, latches, bay covers, etc.

Sorry, but I think he's SOL, and rightly so, on this one.

Dr Dan · #11 Post by **Dr Dan** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:23 pm

> Sorry, but I think he's SOL, and rightly so, on this one.

SOL???

1) I didn't see a description when I ordered it...

2) My tag is 3 x 1.5" - Over twice the size (area) of the description you found

3) Gray background - kind of makes you think it will blend in with the case somewhat?? And it certainly does not.

I really don't want to return this machine just for this. Maybe I'll get used to it. But it does look dam ugly.

mdarnton · #12 Post by **mdarnton** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 1:39 pm

Looks like black felt pen time. I wonder which barcode is the important one. I'd leave just that and my name.

avalanchez71 · #13 Post by **avalanchez71** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:08 pm

Have you tried a jumbo sharpie?

Don't feel so bad, the company I work for wrote the ID number in white-out on my lid, along with an asset tag -- although the tag is much smaller.

ssdaytona · #14 Post by **ssdaytona** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:20 pm

ugh,

why don't you return the Thinkpad and make an asset tag for yourself and stick it to the bottom of the machine. Just make sure it's not removable.

JamDonut · #15 Post by **JamDonut** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:24 pm

To remove the sticker, try using a hair dryer and heat the label until (hopefully) it can be peeled away. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove any adhesive residue.

Getting the casing very hot won't be a good idea, so maybe try without heating first. Isopropyl alcohol is unlikely to damage the finish, but you might want to try on a non-obvious part of the casing to make sure.

-- M

SimonCC · #16 Post by **SimonCC** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:29 pm

THIS IS RIDICULOUS! - if you try to take the sticker off it will most likely leave a scar or tattoo on your thinkpad as this is what assett labels are designed to do, call IBM, if they are unwilling to swap your TP (which im sure they wont be) then you are gonna have to deal with it as any attempts to take it off are gonna at best leave scuff marks on your lid - its hard enough removing finger prints from the lid for f***ks sake - at worst, leave the tattoo with the label. Explain how unhappy you are to IBM and all will be well...

Dr Dan · #17 Post by **Dr Dan** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:40 pm

LOL - I love this board....

Can't decide just how unhappy i am. Wow - that sounds weird. When I opened the box my heart sank. But it's only a sticker i guess!!!

I'll call my friendly rep at IBM and see what he suggests. I just wish I'd known about it before. I would have gone for something like this.

I also read something (not on the IBM site) about the IBM asset tag marking something on the motherboard (not sure if this is a physical or electronic mark). That would be a good thing IMO - if it's true.

Dan.

aleung · #18 Post by **aleung** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:14 pm

i have a question about those stopthief sticker. If someone peel off the sticker, sanded the tattoo and put a big sticker on it.. it is still no difference if you have it or not

Dr Dan · #19 Post by **Dr Dan** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:19 pm

No - none of these things are failsafe. That's what needs to be remembered about any ant-theft device. Even laptop locks. Even an alarm on your house... They only act as deterrants.

Also if someone stole your laptop and you caught them with it soon afterwards (walking off with it for example) you have an undisputeable way of proving it's yours.

Plinkerton · #20 Post by **Plinkerton** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:53 pm

That is pretty crazy how obnoxious it is. It looks like you forgot to remove the shipping label.

If it used for companies though, as mentioned in the description, it seems to make sense. obviously, for stock checks and whatnot, you'd want it in an easy accesible place. The placing seems practical for corporate use, but not for personal use.

Hope it works out.

Ghostrider · #21 Post by **Ghostrider** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 8:43 pm

To prove that it is your Laptop: Take a waterproof marker and write your name on a NOT VISIBLE place. On the batterie, optical device, below the key-board... what-ever!
If someone steals the NB he won't take a look below the keyboard to check if there's a name........ Got the idea? Maybe this is even more secure than this sticker. But as Dr Dan said: This function of the sticker is TO BE SEEN. This is a reason to NOT steal it for a thief because anyone who knows the owner could recognize it. So even with this big sticker on front I'd think about a "secret" place to put your name on... just in case.

Dr Dan · #22 Post by **Dr Dan** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 8:58 pm

I'm wondering if my best option might not be to try and get hold of a new lcd cover and just replace the whole covering. Looks like it's just 3 screws down either side.

Does anybody know if this would be possible / easy? Where would I source such a thing (within IBM or otherwise)?

Thanks.

SimonCC · #23 Post by **SimonCC** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 7:48 am

Dan, have you actually tried to speak to IBM yet?? If you have not, i suggest you do so before going ahead with any INSANE procedures, call them first and then post back and we can take it from there.

lvlolvlo · #24 Post by **lvlolvlo** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:45 pm

yeah i wouldn't do anything to it with any sort of chemical b/c the surface aint exactly plastic like dell's, compaq's, hp's, gateway's, etc...

the best solution would be contact the sales rep see what he suggests or if you really wanna try you can replace the lcd cover as that would be far more safer than using a hair dryer

The story of my new T42 - How do you remove asset tags?

The story of my new T42 - How do you remove asset tags?

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