Ordered M1330, with lojack

I got my m1330 yesterday, I was under the impression that the lojack was a separate package. But I don't have another package, but they say it was delivered?!

 

I'm not sure but I think the lojack sofware is just a disk that should be included with your laptop.

 

ooohhhhh ok, hopefullly thats it and i just missed it, will check when i get home, thanks!

 

hmmm, haven't found any software regarding lojack....guess i'll have a friendly chat with dell support now

 

When did you ordered it ? I just ordered mine and it says delivery 01/21 for the xps and 01/28 for the lojack ....

 

Are you sure the lojack isn't loaded and supported through the systems BIOS? Newer laptops have lojack support via the BIOS, not software. This is so the theif can't wipe the system and re-load windows to thwart the recovery system.

It may or may not be in the M1330's BIOS, but I know the Latitude line has support in the BIOS.

 

Same thing for me, 17th ship date for the xps and 31st ship date for the lojack software.

 

On the m1330/m1530 and ALL of DELLs' laptops, It is installed onto the system Bios. It gets installed automatically onto the Bios when Install the Lojack disk. You can call Lojack and they'll confirm that for you. Dont call DELL CSR and ask...most of them have no idea about anything technical in regards to the computers they sell!

 

So the LoJack isn't pre-installed when you recieve your M1330? And it only installs itself into the BIOS once you install the software from the CD? Because frankly, I don't really want LoJack on my M1330...

 

I do want lojack on my system. The complete care does not cover theft...

 

I know this sounds silly, but when I get my laptop, I want it to be mine, and only in the my hands. Meaning, I don't want some sort of software installed that can give remote access.

 

Wow, dude, that's *not* what lojack is or does. It acts like a GPS tracking device for your laptop. *All* it does is transmit your laptops current position, so if stolen, and reported, the police can locate it.

 

Lojack is stupid. It does not install to the bios. It only installs to windows. If the thief formats before going online you are **** outta luck. Return it and get your 49.99 back.

EDIT: It is NOT GPS. You can't install SOFTWARE GPS. You need GPS hardware for that and that is not in these laptops. All it does is report IP address and the lojack company uses there legal team to try and track it down.


Not only that but the lojack company has 100% access to your data at any time. They say its only so they can wipe your hard drive at your request but call me sceptical in this day and age....

 

Exactly...It won't be installed into your bios until you physically install the CD. If you don't want the Lojack, I've heard of people returning it to dell. Look at your invoice, as long as they billed you for it, you should be able to return it. I plan on doing this when I get my 1530 this week. I was billed $50 for the lojack with 4 year complete care. There is no reason why they shouldn't take it back. If they dont, my AMEX card will credit me back the money when a company refuses to take back a return.

Mac

 

Lojack doesn't cover theft either! They say you have a 4 out of 5 chance recover it within 4 weeks. Even if they do get it back most criminal courts keep it for evidence and won't release it until after the theif has gone to court! By that time your homeowners/rental insurance would have paid for a brand new laptop. And who knows if your stolen laptop will still work properly after going through all that abuse.

Mac

 

Did I say it was GPS? No, I said it was like GPS. It transmits the IP address, which can be tracked down to a location. Lojack can tell you more about how it works.

It does load into your BIOS - our latitudes at work specifically have lojack information in the BIOS.


I know, I'm the Network Administrator that set them up. -_-

 

Wow, people like to misconstrue what others say on this board. Did I say lojack would pay for your laptop should someone steal it? No, I just said the complete care doesn't cover theft. What's better, having someone steal it and having a 90% chance of getting it back, or a 0% chance?

 

i have a fe questions fo r you guys:

1. so, if someone steals my laptop (which i haven't bought, probably gonna buy the 1420 within the week) and it has lojack preinstalled in the bios (if thats true), if the thief does a clean install of windows or reformats, will i still be able to recover my laptop. I would hope they wouldn't reformat though. I'd rather have my data than the physical laptop. reports, pictures, documents, hard to find videos, software, etc are irreplaceable, the physical laptop is....

2. if my laptop DOESN'T have lojack installed into the bios form the factory, once i install it, will it have the same effect (not being able to be wiped unless I find out how to do it myself, of course), or could it be wiped EASIER than if it is preinstalled from the factory?

3. on this website ( http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/lo-jack-for-laptops-anti-theft.html) it says "$1,000 Reimbursement If Not Recovered In 30 - 60 Days", but I have never heard any mention of this anywhere but this site, is this true? or a misprint?, OR is it something maybe only provided by that website?

thanx for any answers...i think lojack sales department is closed right now...

 

That is incorrect. The system Dell's use is made by Absolute.com, formally known as computrace, or more popular by theirlojackforlaptops.com website. In regards to the M1330, it *IS* installed into the BIOS and its design is meant for just that, to circumvent attempts made by formating the HD or otherwise deleting it.

Sure, its not fail safe, but its better than nothing. Mac's design is actually much better, imo. Not only is it BIOS installed (like absolute's), it also uses the built in webcam to snap pictures and logs keystrokes. You can obtain quite a bit of information about where your laptop is and who the thief is with all of that info. If I am not mistaken, the owner of the computer also has access to such info, such as pics, keystrokes, websites visted, etc - simply by visiting the tracking website.

Neat stuff if you ask me.