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Another physical deterrent is a laptop lock. Similar to a steel bicycle cable, there is a loop on one end and a lock on the other. The idea is to loop the cable around a solid object, such as a bed frame, and secure the lock to the small security hole on the side of the laptop. Again, if someone really wants to steal your computer, they’ll find a way. They’ll dismantle the bed frame if they’re desperate. The best protection is to be vigilant and not let the computer out of your sight.

An alternative to physically securing a laptop with a lock is to use a software tracking system. Software makers, such as Computer Security Products, Inc., at www.computersecurity.com, offer tracking software that transmits a signal to a central office if the computer is stolen and connected to a phone line or the Internet. The location of the stolen PC can be tracked, and sensitive files can even be deleted automatically with the aid of the stealth signal.

Troubleshooting Portable Computers

Many of the troubleshooting techniques you learned about for desktop systems can be applied to laptops. For example, take the proper precautions before and during disassembly. Use the proper hand tools, and document, label, and organize each plastic part and screw location for reassembly. Additionally, here are some laptop-specific procedures to try.

Laptop Won’t Power On

Verify AC power by plugging another electronic device into the wall outlet. If the other device receives power, the outlet is good.

If the outlet is good, connect the laptop to the wall outlet and try to power on. If no LEDs light up, you may have a bad AC adapter. Swap it out with a known-good power adapter.

A faulty peripheral device might keep the laptop from powering up. Remove any peripherals such as USB or FireWire devices.

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NOTE If you have a laptop with a battery that won’t charge up, it could be one of two things: the battery might be cooked or the AC adapter isn’t doing its job. To troubleshoot, replace the battery with a known-good battery. If the new battery works, you’ve found the problem. Just replace the battery. Alternatively, remove the battery and run the laptop on AC only. If that works, you know the AC adapter is good. If it doesn’t, replace the AC adapter.

Screen Doesn’t Come On Properly

If the laptop is booting (you hear the beeps and the drives), first make sure the display is turned on. Press the FN key and the key to activate the screen a number of times until the laptop display comes on. If that doesn’t work, check the LCD cutoff switch—on many laptops, this is the small nub somewhere near the screen hinge that shuts the monitor off when you close the laptop—and make sure it isn’t stuck in the down position.

If the laptop display is very dim, you may have lost an inverter. The clue here is that inverters never go quietly. They can make a nasty hum as they are about to die and an equally nasty popping noise when they actually fail. Failure often occurs when you plug in the laptop’s AC adapter, as the inverters take power directly from the AC adapter. It’s also possible that the backlights in the LCD panel have died, though this is much less common than a bad inverter.

If the screen won’t come on or is cracked, most laptops have a port for plugging in an external monitor, which you can use to log into your laptop.

Wireless Networking Doesn’t Work

Check along the front, rear, or side edges of the laptop for a physical switch that toggles the internal wireless adapter on and off.

Try the special key combination for your laptop to toggle the wireless adapter. You usually press the FN key in combination with another key.

You might simply be out of range. Physically walk the laptop over to the wireless router or access point to ensure there are no out-of-range issues.

Handwriting Is Not Recognized

If your PDA or tablet PC no longer recognizes your handwriting or stylus, you may need to