Looking for HP Mini Accessories -- anyone know what kind of cable lock will fit?

[GRIMMY]

Just like I mentioned above, I have yet come across anysort of lock for these minis. IT doesn't seem like they even exist. I was told by and HP rep that the Kingston lock would work. when i told him that it didn't he to became upset and insited that it would. WHen i mentioned to him that i had a lock already from a previous laptop that was a kingston, he stopped arguing and then told me the truth. THey do not make them for minis. So I have taken it upon myself to make one. Might not be pretty, but it will cost as much as a combination lock and some cable would run you.

IF anyone finds something new.. please let us ALL know....INcluding HP......

Grimmy

[iv]

I was told by and HP rep that the Kingston lock would work. when i told him that it didn't he to became upset and insited that it would. WHen i mentioned to him that i had a lock already from a previous laptop that was a kingston, he stopped arguing and then told me the truth.

Wow, you're lucky! The HP guy I had to deal with just kept repeating over and over that I needed a Kensington lock, and why was I being so difficult by refusing to accepting that? Even when I had sent him pictures of the lock on the mini, the lock on a regular HP laptop, and my Kensington lock! He really became very rude when I said -for the third time- that no, that's not going to fit. I think there's HP documentation out there that says the Mini's take regular Kensingtons, and my HP guy was treating his documentation like it was scripture - no real-life experience by a mere customer was going to refute what he apparently saw as his 'holy text'. 

Like Grimmy says, PLEASE let people like that know that (1) Kensington doesn't fit, and (2) what does (as soon as there is anything). 

So I have taken it upon myself to make one. Might not be pretty, but it will cost as much as a combination lock and some cable would run you.

What did you make? I don't want anything that's permanently attached, since I only need to lock it perhaps once a week. I had a rummage through my tool chest and came up with a bit of metal wire and a screw terminal to create a loop large enough to get my Kensington lock through, but I've been looking for something more solid. 

Message Edited by iv on 06-20-2009 11:16 AM

[GRIMMY]

Yeah i hear you on that, HP takes there books to heart, and when this manuals say there is nothing wrong, they to think nothing is wrong.

AS for my solution, just took a think attachments of wire,  one about 1.5 inch long, made a loop attached to the computer. (using wire cutters would take it off) and then using about 4-6 of wire that was a bit thicker, made a loop at each end, and used a lock to connect the laptop loop and the longer wire that was wrapped around a table leg or what not. If someone has wire cutters they would be able to take it, however, not many people walk around with wire cutters.

Another question for all of you. Have any of you had any trouble connecting to a secured network. 3 different networks I have tried to connect( with the proper passwords) and take about 4 mins saying acquiring network password then once it can't goes to limited to no conectivity. However, at school or coffee shops i have no problem where they don't have passwords locking it.... anyone know what to do... HP guy said nothing was wrong with my computer..... (liars)

GRIMMY

[sportygrrl25]

What's so frustrating is that we shouldn't have to make our own locks to fit the computer - if HP was going to advertise a security hole, plus a VGA slot (I had issues with that too) then they had better deliver and provide the products that are needed for the Mini.  I really like the size and portability of the product, but I am really not liking the lack of needed products.  If they had specifically said that adpater cables were needed, or that there were no locks currently available for the Mini, I'd be a lot less frustrated!

As for the connectivity issue, yes, I did have problems connecting to my own wireless router.  After about three tries and three times inputting the number I needed, it connected.  I don't know if that was luck or somehow I did something right!

[iv]

Here's the piece of wire I described in my previous post (or to be precise, my Kensington lock attached to the mini via some wire held in place by a screw terminal):

Obviously, this isn't very safe, practical, or attractive.

When people see my Mini for the first time, the typical reaction is "what a cute, pretty clever little thing - I want one!!".

However, when they see it with this attached, they don't notice the pretty shiny clever little thing at all, but go, "what's up with that hideous contraption?!" - which prompts me to tell them all about the useless, rude idiot of the HP helpdesk who refused to take my word for it that this connector really, honestly, is NOT going to fit a Kensington lock.

Surely that can't be good for HP? They must understand that "I want one!" reactions are responsible for a considerable part of their sales on these sort of items? When they force us to into these DIY projects, that makes their product look bad - you don't have to be a marketing genius to figure out that's not good at all for the HP brand.

 

(And as for wireless connections: this ('hardware') probably isn't the best section of the forum to get answers on that, as that's primarily a software/OS problem (since you say unprotected connections are no problem, we must assume the hardware is ok).

I've never had any problems on my WinXP Mini, but of course there are Mini's with all sorts of different OS, and I don't know which ones you have these problems with. All my other computers are win/ubuntu dual boots, so I know from experience that in Ubuntu (the Linux Mini's run on a stripped-down version of Ubuntu, I believe) you sometimes need to be quite specific when setting up a secure connection - not as much auto detecting going on there as you might be used to on windows.)

Message Edited by iv on 06-22-2009 05:33 AM

Message Edited by iv on 06-22-2009 12:28 PM

[GRIMMY]

Very Nice IV... very nice... that is what i have had to do... not pretty, but it gets teh job done when I need it locked up... Of course this only stops someone from walking by and grabing it.

NOw I might put in a request to Kingston locks and see if tehy have anything... screw HP... if they don't wat to supply a lock, perhaps someone else will..... Going to call kingston later today when i am not busy. I will keep you all posted

GRIMMY

[bsteele93]

When's the next release date for the vga cable? I've been checking these past two months, as well as internationally, and still haven't been able to purchase one. I still have a good return policy and don't want to be holding onto this computer if I can't utilize it to meet my purposes.

[Itasky]

what about European customers?

i am from Italy and no 6 cells battery (priced 130 EURO! = 180 USD!) nor Vga adapter is available!

Message Edited by Itasky on 06-29-2009 02:05 AM

[Monty1950]

Dan:  I am looking for the dongle for my mini.  On this date the site says it's out of stock, "Please check back later."  When is later?  I have a presentation to make at the end of this month.

[djmiller]

When will the vga cable be available?