Securing CPUs to Tables
Locking CPUs shut
Trapping the mice and keyboards

Here are some of the details of how we are securing our nice, new Dell machines.

I was initially concerned to see that the Dell levy computers could be opened without a screw driver by just pushing buttons on the sides - no screw driver required.. However, the loops on the back of the machine allowed us to put a cable through which would secure the machine to the table and (we thought!) keep the computer from being opened.

Cable with Barrel Lock

We later found out however, when one student forced open the back of the computer and took out some RAM, that this really did not secure the inside of the machine. Given how much RAM these computers have, securing the machines shut was a priority. [See Below}

Dell Computer With Security Cable Being Forced Open

The Solution to locking the computer shut was to employ a large "mouse trap" which would mount over the two loops on the back of the computer as shown below. This also allowed us to trap the mouse and keyboard eliminating theft of these devices.

"Mouse Trap" securing computer shut and trapping mouse and keyboard cables

The other end of the security cable was often run through holes drilled into the underside of tables.

Barrel lock attached to end of security cable inserted through hole in table

Another way to approach this is with the use of the two-holed "looper" as shown below:

Two-holed "looper" securing cable to table.

This works for securing iMacs as well, by looping the cable through the handle at the top. It won't secure the iMac's wireless network underside trap door however. For this, we use tiny padlocks.

The equipment to perform these tasks looks like this:

bms-mtrap mouse trap $1.95ea
mbs-cbllo barrel lock $8.39
bms-cbc 6' cable $5.95ea
bms-cbc 9' cable $7.95ea
bms-looper double hole $. 50ea

The "mouse trap" is the "U" shaped widgit. The rest is self-explanatory.

These can be purchased at Seattle Platten :

SEATTLE PLATTEN COMPANY 1021A Sixth Avenue S. Seattle, Washington, 98134-1305
Phone: 206-682-7780.

The contact person for schools is Dale.