My laptop has a small hole on the side with a picture of a lock and a "K"...what is it?

Question

I have a Compaq Presario v2000 (before anyone apologizes...I know...it's been a bad laptop). On the left side, where the card slot is, to the right of the slot (when the side is facing you), there is a small oval hole with a picture of a lock, and on the lock is a "K." Anyone know what this is? I've had the laptop over a year and JUST now noticed this.

Answer 1

That would be a Kensington slot. It's a somewhat universal standard for many electronic devices and laptop computers especially. Desktop computers with Kensington slots are a lot less common, but pricy-yet-portable LCD monitors will often have one somewhere on the back. The way it works is you get a laptop lock cable, which will have a special tip in the shape of a long pill (like a Tic-Tac or gelcap) that will turn 90 degrees when locked, and the flanged ends of the tip will hook into the flanged sides of the lock slot. Alternately, the tip might have a claw that will flatten when unlocked, and will spread open to grip the flanged sides of the slot when locked. It's such a standardized part of laptop design that you will not ever see it advertised as a prominent laptop feature these days (though desktop computers will probably have it mentioned somewhere), nor will the locking devices generally identify themselves as anything more than some sort of "laptop locking device". Also, it's less common now, but laptop computers used to often have the lock located right next to removable components, like hard-drives, disk drives (particularly then-uncommon CD drives on older models) and batteries, such that the base of the locking mechanism would overlap the edges of one or more removable devices and thereby prevent them from being popped out of the computer and stolen independantly.

The types of devices that will work with this slot do vary somewhat. The most common type is a woven steel cable that's sheathed in a transparent plastic layer (the plastic will dull a standard metal-cutting saw blade, making it difficult to quickly cut through the cable with a hacksaw), with the lock at one end and a large loop crimped into the other end. You thread the looped end through something that's either not portable (such as a fixed banister or railing) or that's too cumbersome to run off with (such as a table or chair), and thread the lock end through the loop, making sure that it can't be slipped off without being unlocked (looping around a signpost isn't going to effectively secure this, as the cable can be freed by simply lifting it over the top of the signpost). Then the lock is inserted into the slot and secured. This type of lock commonly comes with either a 4-digit combination that you can set yourself, or with the same general type of tube-shaped key that is commonly used with high-end bike locks (these are much more difficult to pick than a lock that uses a flat key like you'd use on your front door or car).

Another type, which is just a variant on the standard cable lock, has a retractable cable so you don't have to hand coil it for storage.

A third type, instead of having a cable at all, is just a motion-activated device that emits a piercing alarm when moved. This type will do nothing to prevent or delay your laptop from actually being picked up and stolen, but it will make it a lot easier to track the thief after the fact, and might be bothersome enough that he/she will abandon the laptop to avoid being caught.

Regardless of the device or the lock used to secure it, these are not a secure theft-prevention device so much as they are a theft deterent. They'll make it more difficult to steal than snatching a purse, but most Kensington slots are not rugged enough to prevent being ripped out with a sharp yank, and alternately, all Kensington locks could eventually be removed with the proper tools. However, then the would-be thief is left with the choice of causing enough damage to kill the resale value (thus eliminating the most likely point of stealing it) or working to break the lock loose on-site and escalate the risk of being caught and arrested. The one thing that such locks would be completely powerless to prevent is theft where the target is the data stored on the computer more than the computer itself, like industrial espionage or some other uncommon Hollywood scenario. Hence the reason a laptop owned by James Bond would probably stick to something a little more certain, like blowing up if you tried to hack the password protection.

Answer 2

Laptop Lock Hole

Answer 3

Most laptops have a port or slot that's intended for attaching a lock or safety chain to prevent theft. I'm guessing that the lock icon means that's security port and the K is for Kensington, a manufacturer of computer security tools.

http://www.securityawareness.com/microsavr.htm

Answer 4

Its a security slot where you can attach locks on most laptops.

Answer 5

Usually these type of doors just have a tab that you push located inside the handle. Try pushing a coat hanger or even a tiny screwdriver will work. You just have to poke around a little and push that tab and the door should come open. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 6

It seems to be a lock! Did your computer come with a strange-looking Key? If not, go back and ask where you bought it.
Some laptops can be locked up so they won't open without a key.

Answer 7

dit might be a slot for a wirless card