Stolen PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adam Anderson
  • Start date Start date
A

Adam Anderson

Is there a way to trace windows on a computer? I am hoping
to trace two computers that were recently stolen from me.
 
No. You need to contact your local law enforcement
agency and report the crime. Supply them with the
computer serial numbers I'm sure you have written
down and safeguarded.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Is there a way to trace windows on a computer? I am hoping
| to trace two computers that were recently stolen from me.
|
|
 
Hi,

Natively? No.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
Is there a way to trace windows on a computer? I am hoping
to trace two computers that were recently stolen from me.
Click to expand...

How in the world are you going to trace two copies of Windows when one
of the richest predatory corporations in the world (Microsoft) can't
do it?

Hopefully you had some kind of insurance at your university.
 
You did call the police and report such details as make,
model and serial numbers at least? If you had a report from
a program such as Bel Arc Advisor or AIDA32 you could also
report motherboard make model and serial number of the mobo.

There is software that is offered (generally for laptops)
that will call in to a server and report. If the computer
is stolen and connected to the Internet and you have
reported, the company can trace the location.


| On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 15:48:42 -0800, "Adam Anderson"
<[email protected]>
| wrote:
|
| >Is there a way to trace windows on a computer? I am
hoping
| >to trace two computers that were recently stolen from me.
|
| How in the world are you going to trace two copies of
Windows when one
| of the richest predatory corporations in the world
(Microsoft) can't
| do it?
|
| Hopefully you had some kind of insurance at your
university.
|
 
Search the net !! google is my favourite.

and despite answers to the contrary -I 'm sure this can be done - too
late for PC's already stolen, but for the future -it's probably an
option to look into -
I'm sure I came across software somewhere - that once installed on
your system - and I know nothing about the "how" or anything - but
when the system is connected to the internet - it'll "phone home"!
as I say - the How it does this or what the data is that it sends
~maybe (logically) it might be an email! giving whatever info it can
on it's location - IP address?
Positive I saw something about this - so if you consider your system
to be at risk of being stolen - this'll be the stuff to get!! try a
search and see what comes up. ~ I might do the same.
 
and despite answers to the contrary -I 'm sure this can be done
Click to expand...
I'm sure I came across software somewhere - that once installed on
your system - and I know nothing about the "how" or anything - but
when the system is connected to the internet - it'll "phone home"!
as I say - the How it does this or what the data is that it sends
~maybe (logically) it might be an email! giving whatever info it can
on it's location - IP address?
Click to expand...


That doesn't sound like it would be very effective. I would think that
it would be hard for a single user to convince law enforcement to
intervene, it they did, then the software would probably only catch
stupid theives.

Can a running process be hidden from the user in WinXP?

If it can't be, then savy theives could just turn it off (and
uninstall or otherwise purge the prog from the system). Or, for a more
definitive solution, they could just wipe the drive.

It would seem that a definitive solution would be to hard wire the
function into the machine itself. Sort of like a Lojack. Didn't I see
some IBM laptop commercial where they mentioned something like that?
 
That doesn't sound like it would be very effective. I would think that
it would be hard for a single user to convince law enforcement to
intervene, it they did, then the software would probably only catch
stupid theives.

Can a running process be hidden from the user in WinXP?

If it can't be, then savy theives could just turn it off (and
uninstall or otherwise purge the prog from the system). Or, for a more
definitive solution, they could just wipe the drive.

It would seem that a definitive solution would be to hard wire the
function into the machine itself. Sort of like a Lojack. Didn't I see
some IBM laptop commercial where they mentioned something like that?
Click to expand...

The programs that Stuart is talking about do hide themselves when
installed. There is no process listed to stop nor a program in
Add/Remove Software to remove.

These programs will even survive Hard Drive formatting.

Once a stolen computer is hooked into a phone line, it silently dails
the phone to connect to a server operated by the Software makers
monitoring system. The sever logs the phone number from which the
computer called and notifies the local police. The makers of the
program worked with the Telephone Companies so that Caller ID Blocks
are bypassed and the registered Name and Address for that number is
provided to the police.

There was recently a news story in which the police raided a home that
was reported by software of this type as having a stolen laptop
computer. The police found the computer, being used by a 14 year old
honor student. It turns out that the boys father bought the computer
second-hand and wasn't aware it was stolen. As the computer was being
used by an honor stuedent whose father, the police figured, wouldn't
knowingling put his son at risk like that, no charges were pressed.
And, A couple local computer shops split the cost to get the kid a new
computer.

--

David

Programmers write "Help Files" for a reason. use them.

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

http://www.HeroicStories.com/
http://www.thisistrue.com/
 
These programs will even survive Hard Drive formatting.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I saw that. How is that possible?

I'm asking because if it really is possible to make a program that can
never be removed and that can automatically perform a function (in
this case calling home) that is 100% invisible to the user, then virus
writers will have a field day.
 
I always wandered how this type software can stand Fdisk, Even a ghost
restore and even xp system restore.

The only thing I can think of is there is a tiny space at the end of
the drive or another partition. That can’t be accessed by partition
magic, System Commander, or any other operating Systems.

The reason I say this. I goofed up one time. I actual had 5 primary
partitions on one hard drive. That was a pain trying to remove that
goof. It did boot.

Before any one says this.
None were extended partitions-All partitions were primary

System commander display had a red line at the very top.


I just hope they tell you how to disable it. When you sell it or send
it in for repair.

Brian
 
"These programs will even survive Hard Drive formatting."
Where does the program reside?
Another partition?
What if that partition is formatted?
What kind of program can survive formatting and still be fully
functional?

Please give source for this software.
There may be hardware.
I already know there is software.
But software can be easily destroyed.
 
-xiray- said:
Yeah, I saw that. How is that possible?

I'm asking because if it really is possible to make a program that can
never be removed and that can automatically perform a function (in
this case calling home) that is 100% invisible to the user, then virus
writers will have a field day.
Click to expand...

All hard drive come with spare tracks that are assigned when a primary track
becomes defective.

There are software ways to access these spare tracks.
 
All hard drive come with spare tracks that are assigned when a primary track
becomes defective.

There are software ways to access these spare tracks.
Click to expand...

So then I guess it logically follows that one could make a tool to
remove that piece of tracking software.
 
If you knew it was there, but most computer thieves and the
buyer of hot stuff don't know or care.


| On Thu, 18 Mar 2004 19:02:42 -0600, "JerryMouse"
<[email protected]>
| wrote:
|
| >
| >All hard drive come with spare tracks that are assigned
when a primary track
| >becomes defective.
| >
| >There are software ways to access these spare tracks.
| >
|
| So then I guess it logically follows that one could make a
tool to
| remove that piece of tracking software.
|
|
 
Please cite the source.
How the data can survive and be usable after formatting.
The software I saw stated it was difficult to bypass but said nothing
about surviving a format.
 
Please cite the source.
How the data can survive and be usable after formatting.
The software I saw stated it was difficult to bypass but said nothing
about surviving a format.
Click to expand...

I'm very doubtful that it's software on the hd, as it could be easily (and
cheaply) bypassed simply by replacing the hd. More likely it'd be a rom
chip on the board, that would be a more reliable whistle blower than a
stealth app.
 
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