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From: npollack@polyslo.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Is it my computer?
Message-ID: <366@polyslo.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 11-Jun-87 14:01:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: polyslo.366
Posted: Thu Jun 11 14:01:55 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jun-87 19:53:00 EDT
References: <8000012@uiucdcsm>
Reply-To: npollack@polyslo.UUCP (Neal Pollack)
Organization: Cal Poly State Univ,CSC Dept,San Luis Obispo,CA 93407
Lines: 38

In article <8000012@uiucdcsm> lopez@uiucdcsm.cs.uiuc.edu writes:
>
>AT&T 6300 Computers.
>
>Recently a problem arose concerning the true identification of an 
>AT&T 6300 Computer. The problem with these machines is that their 
>identification plates can be screwed off with a screw driver.... 
>
>................... I can see many ways an individual could get screwed
>by bad service people. (I am not suggesting that anyone in this world
>is dishonest, I am just very curious)
>
>F. Lopez
>AT&T Bell Laboratories

Here at Calif State Univ.  we usually just spray paint a stenciled
identification on both top and bottom cover.  We also etch or mark 
with permanent marker all of the internal boards and hard drives.
We have been told of trouble with unscrupulous types trying to switch
boards, keyboards, drives, etc. over the years.  The heavily obnoxious
Identification scheme that we use completely discourages most forms
of 'abuse' and dishonesty.   In 6 years, my facility has lost only
an apple II disk drive (we were sad that they only took the drive) and
one option board (apple).  This is with over 85 computers in the facility.

Other buildings and groups that do not like "ugly computers" and fail
to mark them for I.D., have consistantly lost upwards of $50,000 of equip.
each year during the same time frame.

Just in case anyone wants my 'advice',  MAKE THEM UGLY.
It really works!

Neal Pollack
Chief Engineer
Computer Science Department
Calif Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA  93407
805-546-2147