Trace a stolen laptop?

[HotDog-Cart]

Hey guys. I have a question. My friends new laptop (Its like a 2007/2008 model. Its like a $1500-$2200 laptop), got stolen today as someone broke into his house.

He asked me if theres some way to trace where it is, and now I'm asking you.

Is there a way to trace/track a stolen laptop, so you know where it is?
(If not, companies should put something like this in every laptop. It'd be a hot seller.)

Also, if theres not a way to track a stolen laptop when its like off or something, is there a way to track it if it connects to the internet?

Mind you, the laptop has already been stolen. Ive seen programs on the net that allow you to install them onto your laptop so when it gets stolen you can trace it. He cannot use those, as the laptop is already out of his possesion.

Thanks.

[Neildo_64]

Do you know the mac address of the network adapter in the laptop? At my college, if we played games or downloaded huge programs they blocked your mac address and you had to go to an office on campus and get it unblocked. Of course all the nerdy kids have their mac address sharpied on the back of their student ID (always with them) so I was just wondering if he would happen to have that written anywhere. Other than that, maybe the serial number from the laptop would be the only way I can think of that you could trace it. Keep in mind, I have no idea how you would go about actually tracing a mac address, but everything has a different mac address, so only that laptop would have that mac address.

[nitro2k01]

There are several things in the laptop that are tagged with serial numbers. The network card (As Neildo_64 pointed out) the CPU, the laptop itself (written on a sticker on the bottom of the computer) and even the RAM sticks.
However, for any of these to be of any use, you'd have to them written down and then catch a suspected burglar and compare the serial numbers. The MAC address is of no use unless you have some sort of access to a network it would connect to. Eg: If you're going to college together and he has the MAC address scribbled down, go to the IT department and ask them if they can trace it. At least theoretically, they should be able to tell whenever someone with a certain MAC connects to the network.
Another thing you can do is to tell him to note the computer's serial number onto a piece of paper and hand it out to 2nd hand computer vendors. It's fairly likely that the burglar will try to sell the computer as fast as possible. Also report it to the police. There might be databases for stolen laptops that they can add the serial number to.
The computer serial number should be included in the papers that came with his laptop, probably on the certificate of warranty. The MAC address might be documented there too, but it doesn't necessarily have to be.

As for "call home" kind of software, it does exist, but it's typically only available to big companies buying piles of laptops. Also, a problem with having that kind of software in every laptop is that it makes it much easier for organized criminals to detect and counter the systems. One of the strengths is that a thief doesn't know whether the system is in place or not, and might just happily connect to the internet. Well, that doesn't help you but...

[bicostp]

If he had Lo-Jack, they could track where it is and there would be a much better chance of getting it back.

Like others have said, your best chances are the serial numbers and MAC address. Unfortunately the serial number on the bottom will probably get scratched off unless the thief is keeping it for themselves. (Stolen laptop - serial # + pawn shop = $$$$)

Unfortunately, I think he may only have a 1 in 3 chance of ever getting it back. Sorry.

[HotDog-Cart]

Alright guys. I sort of lied here. It was my laptop, I just didn't want to be ridiculed for something or other. It got stolen.

Yet, its back now.

The cops were called last night and they said it would be investigated. (One of my moms friends happens to be one of the guys on the case.)

He phoned me this morning, and told me who who suspected it to be. He suspected it would have been my neighbor, as we had feuds with them and they are now moving. Turns it out it was. I went over there 15 minutes ago, and seen my laptop in a box. I know it was my laptop, as it even have my name that I printed onto the bottom.

Now, I don't know what to do. I don't know if I want to press charges or what. I did technically trespass onto their property to get my laptop back. I'm just glad I have the good laptop back with all my info on it.

Should I just lock this thread now, or does anyone have any tips for me and what I should do from here.

Thanks guys. I didn't mean to lie about the victim, its just I didnt want someone laughing at me or something.

-HDC

[bicostp]

Yet, its back now.

Consider yourself one lucky SOB.

Now, I don't know what to do. I don't know if I want to press charges or what. I did technically trespass onto their property to get my laptop back. I'm just glad I have the good laptop back with all my info on it.

Yes, you can (and should) press charges. They broke into your house and stole your property. You just trespassed, which is far less serious. (I think it's just a misdemeanor, at least here in the states. ) If you can prove they have any more of your property (should've taken pictures of your laptop mixed with their stuff), you have a case. Even if you don't have pictures, their fingerprints will probably be all over it. (Yours would be ruled out, after all it's kind of a given that you'd handle your own laptop. )

I'm not too familiar with Canadian laws, but they should be charged with breaking and entering and theft.

Don't let this slide!

EDIT: I did some quick looking on Wikipedia (the web's #1 source for semi-accurate information), and breaking and entering is considered a hybrid offense in Canada (which, from the sound of it, can be treated as the equivalent to a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the situation.)

Long story short, if they stole more than $5,000 worth of stuff they could go away for up to 10 years. If it's under $5,000 worth, they can get either a maximum 2 years, or 6 months plus a $2,000 fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft#Canada

NOTE: I am not accountable for what you do with this information.

[HotDog-Cart]

Hmm. Well, the thing is it was NOT break and enter. They did not break it.
My door was unlocked.

Heres the story: I left my house for not even 15 minutes to grab something from a freinds house, yet could not find my house key. So I closed the door and pretended to lock it incase anyone was watching. I went to my friends house for a few minutes and then came back and noticed that my laptop was gone. I called the cops on it and they came, thus why the neighbor didn't come back and steal something else. The neighbor doesn't even live beside me anymore, he has packed up and moved. I was lucky to get up early to get my laptop when he wasnt there. (When he was putting stuff in storage.)

I asked the police officer what I could have done (yesturday) and he said that the perp could be charged with Entering, Trespassing, Theft under $5000 and property damage. (They broke my fence upon entering. Its an old fence, but they still broke it.)

I'm talking to my parents upon what to do. We don't know where the guy moved to, and the real-estate agent will NOT give us the info as its covered by some privacy act.

Please lock this thread. If I get any updates, I'll request that it be unlocked. Thanks guys.

[vskid]

Press charges, the cops will find him, the real estate agent will likely be forced to give the cops information. He isn't your neighbor anymore, so its not like you'll have to see him everyday.

[HotDog-Cart]

Thats true. I'll talk it over with my parents. (Pressing charges is expensive. Court fees, lawyer fees, time consuming, ect. But, for what he did I may press charges.)

I'm just glad my laptop is back. It had a lot of important info on it. I know he didn't see any of it, as my laptop was time stamped for the time I turned it off.