David Radin: If you depend on your laptop, here are ways to keep it safe

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David Radin: If you depend on your laptop, here are ways to keep it safe

Thursday, April 20, 2000

Q: On a recent trip, I dropped my laptop and it broke. What's the best way to deal with this type of situation?

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A: Many of us have become so dependent on our portable devices -- laptops, notebook computers and personal digital assistants -- that we have trouble functioning on the road without them. Yet, we treat them harshly -- much more harshly than we treat our desktop systems. We squeeze them into airplane luggage racks, subject them to the normal jostles of being carried, and use them in damp environments, such as sitting next to swimming pools or while waiting in the rain for trains. And although we hate to admit it, some of us even drop them. It's amazing I don't hear this type of question every day.

The best way to protect yourself from this type of situation is to take precautions on the front end. Start by getting the right service agreement. If you're truly a road warrior, you want that agreement to include pickup of your laptop when it's broken. While this coverage is standard for some computer vendors, it is optional for others. So ask the question before you purchase your laptop. If you're not sure whether you have this coverage, call and ask your vendor now. Your vendor might allow you to upgrade to such a service agreement if you aren't covered.

Typically, when you're covered by a pickup policy, you'll call your vendor's toll-free service number when you have system problems. Your technician will determine with you what the problem is (or is likely to be).

Then, if he believes it is warranted, he'll send you a shipping box. You put the laptop in the box. Give it back to the person who dropped off the box. And the computer is on its way back to the service center, where it will be repaired and sent back to you. I have found the usual turnaround time to be about three days.

Some vendors also provide drop-off service. This is particularly handy when you won't be in the same location long but need your laptop while you're there. Unfortunately, you're subject to how busy the local drop-off center is -- if there is even a drop-off center in your area. If you travel often to the same destinations, check with your vendor in advance to see whether the vendor has a service center in those cities.

Before your trip, make sure that you back up your files. Bumps and hits can ruin a hard drive. If your data files are only on your laptop, you're liable to lose them forever when your disk crashes. In fact, many savvy travelers bring along copies of their files -- at least on a floppy or CD (so they can use the files on somebody else's computer if their disk crashes) -- and even spare hard drives. With the spare drive, it's a simple switch to get your system up and running if the disk crashes.

Then protect yourself while you travel. Start by making sure that you have a good laptop case. From experience, I have found that portable computers break more easily in those flimsy sleeves that come with the computers than they do with a good laptop case. While you're working, make an occasional backup onto floppy -- just in case your computer doesn't make it through the whole trip.

Don't forget to write down (on paper -- not on your computer) the pertinent system information in case you have to make that warranty call -- and take it with you on the road. Include your system model, serial number or service number, configuration, and the telephone number you need to call for service. You'll need all this information whether you require a pickup or drop-off service call. While you're at it, write down the local modem access number of your Internet service provider in your destination city. This will save you a toll call if you need to get support online.

Bonus tip:Here's a nice tip that I just learned after a listener to my radio show asked how he could use his keyboard instead of a mouse to minimize a window. (Most of us simply use our mouse to click on the icon in the top right corner of the window that looks like a minus sign or an underscore.) To do the same thing with your keyboard, hold down the Alt key, then press the space bar. Release the Alt key, then press the n key.

David Radin is host of the nationally syndicated radio show Internet Insider, a local version of which is aired on KDKA AM 1020 on Saturdays at noon.