GPS Module in PC?

[paper006]

Good day

My idea is to biuld a GPS module into my PC. I have built a new PC now and it is pretty expensive, I don't want it to be stolen. Does somebody maybe know how I can get a GPS, for tranking purpose, installed into my PC? Maybe theres something on the market. I must probably also install a small battery into the PC, that keeps the module going for 2-3 days.
The module must be of course, in the box. The most people won't expect something like that to be in there.

Hope you have an idea!

 

[nForce2]

Hope you have an idea!

My first instinct would be to purchase a used iPhone 3GS from Craigslist, glue it to the case (under the plastic front cover, if your case has that), and set it up with iCloud and "Find My iPhone", using a cheap pre-paid data plan, and plugged in to an internal USB port for charging when the computer is on (or when the computer is plugged in, if your motherboard supports USB power while "off").

You'd need a pre-paid data plan, which is a monthly expense... but the phone itself could be had for <$50 if you bought one with a cracked screen (a non-issue for your purpose). Battery life would be better than your requirements, as a standalone unit it wouldn't require any software to be running on your PC or your PC to be on a network to transmit its location, and law enforcement agencies are familiar with the Apple tracking tools. :thumbsup:

 

[imagoon]

The hard part would be getting the cops to care enough to recover it for you.

 

[Morbus]

I think the best thing you can do is either insure it, or, you know, put it under lock and key...

 

[John Connor]

Does LoJack for Laptops work on desktops?

Yes. You can install LoJack for Laptops on any desktop, laptop, or tablet computer using any of the operating systems detailed in the product system requirements.

http://www3.absolute.com/support/consumer/technology

 

[John Connor]

Good day

My idea is to biuld a GPS module into my PC. I have built a new PC now and it is pretty expensive, I don't want it to be stolen. Does somebody maybe know how I can get a GPS, for tranking purpose, installed into my PC? Maybe theres something on the market. I must probably also install a small battery into the PC, that keeps the module going for 2-3 days.
The module must be of course, in the box. The most people won't expect something like that to be in there.

Hope you have an idea!

The GPS could be ripped out of the computer.

 

[nForce2]

The GPS could be ripped out of the computer.

That's true for anything... just like how a GPS tracker on a car wouldn't help you if you found the car but the wheels had been removed.

But it would still be a huge benefit. If nothing else, it could alert you immediately when the PC had been moved - telling you that your house was actively being burgled. And if the thieves took it back to their place to part it out, the GPS log would still take you to where they were at.

 

[hextet]

As opposed to building a GPS module, you should check out Lojack by Absolute Software.

It allows tracking, monitoring, auto lock down, total hard drive wipe, etc... And it can't be removed. IT uses the TPM chip, and an application that you install on your computer. Once you active the TPM chip and the application, if someone tries to uninstall the application it will be reinstalled automatically.

 

[John Connor]

Hextet, did you not read post #5? LOL!

 

[John Connor]

Once you active the TPM chip and the application, if someone tries to uninstall the application it will be reinstalled automatically.

That only works on laptops with the BIOS option. He has a desktop.

 

[paper006]

No one expects an GPS in a PC...

 

[John Connor]

If it's see through your gonna see it. I don't even see how you could do this. Your gonna need a good battery. It's just doesn't make sense when there is Lojack. Then how is it going to be activated? Maybe a RFID proximity switch could turn it on when it leaves a predefined area, but like I said when there is LoJack it's just a waist of time.

 

[paper006]

LoJack is not available in my country

 

[John Connor]

What country do you live in? http://www.lojack.com/LoJack-International

 

[paper006]

It is available. One question:
does it work through the internet or how?

 

[John Connor]

Yes, it will send a signal through the Internet to Absolute software.

 

[John Connor]

Here's some info. http://www3.absolute.com/support/consumer/technology

 

[Doomer]

The hard part would be getting the cops to care enough to recover it for you.

A couple of doughnuts and a cup of java should motivate them, lol.

 

[imagoon]

A couple of doughnuts and a cup of java should motivate them, lol.

All jokes aside, it really is something they consider small fry and in most cases don't consider it worth wasting the man power on.

 

[John Connor]

Really? http://www.forbes.com/2005/08/19/digilife-lojack-laotops-cx_daa_0819digilife.html

 

[Puffnstuff]

Lojack won't do squat if your protected device doesn't have internet access. I'm using it on my laptop and it's better than nothing but a hardware tracker independent of the pc is the best way to go.

 

[John Connor]

Who uses a computer without an Internet connection?

 

[nForce2]

Who uses a computer without an Internet connection?

The point is that the required internet link is a weak point, potentially a critical weak point, for the LoJack software setup.

* It won't work when the device is in-transit (stolen, but not powered on and connected)
* This (above) means that you can't react to the theft until a certain amount of time has passed - during which time the computer could be re-sold, parted out, or even taken across borders where retrieval becomes more difficult.
* It won't work for a WiFi-only device that hasn't connected to an access point, and many devices would NOT be configured to auto-connect to any arbitrary open AP. Doing so, or configuring to do this for the purpose of LoJack, would be a huge security/malware risk in itself!
* A thief with a password-protected WiFi device won't be able log in to configure it for a new access point, even if wireless networks are available.
* The self-healing BIOS option which reinstalls the software after an OS reload is limited in OS support. For example, if the thief finds the device password-protected and wipes/reloads it with Linux, the LoJack software won't be functional.
* A location determined from an IP address or network routing is approximate. A location determined from a WiFi AP name could be better, but would still be approximate.
* If the computer is turned off after being located over the internet, you have no idea if it has been moved or not.


A standalone battery-powered cellular GPS tracking device addresses ALL of these cases.
* It tracks a device immediately from the moment it leaves your desk, even if the PC is off.
* It provides continuous position updates while in transit.
* It works without requiring a configured internet connection
* It works without the thief being able to log in to your PC
* It works with *ANY* OS.
* A GPS-sourced location could be very precise.
* Tracking continues after the computer has been turned off.

 

[John Connor]

I damn cell phone or GPS can be taken out of the damn computer and yo9u can't use that in a laptop! You said your self that the computer coulod be parted out! LMAO!

Computers are not cars. You don't part them out, hyou sell them or keep 'em.

Why do people refuse simple solutions?

 

[John Connor]

So can I get a schematic on this newfangled device that you speak of that has GPS a cell and battery? Plus, how will it be activated once stolen? LMAO!