The Star Ledger Talks with David Milman about Portable Technology

Faulty Laptop Batteries a Growing Concern

The Star Ledger
Wednesday, October 18, 2006:


Burning Questions

David Milman's national computer repair company, Rescuecom, provides emergency assistance to lots of people, including traveling business executives. We chatted with Milman about a variety of issues, including faulty laptop batteries and their effect on computer-carrying airline passengers.

Given all the computer battery recalls, what's the most important thing for airline passengers to remember when they're taking along their laptops? When I was flying a week and a half ago, the TSA guy was more interested in taking my Crest and Scope, instead of my Sony laptop. We have people flying on airplanes with laptops with batteries in them that need to be returned and replaced, and they're haven't. That's a very big concern.

All you need is one battery to blow up on an airline to cause a big problem. A passenger shouldn't bring a laptop on a plane unless they've addressed the recall or go onto the plane with a power adapter. Something has to be done on this issue relatively soon. It would be horrible if something were to happen.What's the biggest problem tech-toting business execs face on the road?Many times they have their laptop connected to a network in their office. They want to make sure all their important documents and programs are in their laptop and the computer is fully charged. Many times a person will get on a plane and realize it's not fully charged. You also want to make sure it's secure, that your files are password-encrypted.

We had a customer in Philadelphia who had a bank account taken from their laptop. It actually happened while they were carrying their laptop around. A Wi-Fi connection can travel hundreds of feet. If it's not locked down and doesn't have the latest Windows updates on it, you can actually have somebody come into your computer.What's the most memorable call for help Rescuecom has fielded? In the spring, we had a call from northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., where a Ph.D. student lost her thesis and it wasn't backed up. We spent two hours recovering the data. (Her cost: around $350.)As more people travel with laptops and other devices, do we all need to be reminded of the need for high-tech etiquette?When you're working on your laptop or listening to an in-flight movie, make sure your volume is turned down. I've seen people turn their computers on, and the Windows chime that comes on as the computer powers up wakes up the guy in the next seat. You wouldn't be screaming on a plane; you shouldn't have your electronic equipment making noise either.

-- Susan Todd

Google Reviews

D.M. Lafortune
D.M. Lafortune
1 months ago
These folks are the best ! They have Rescued me more than once :o)
...These folks are the best ! They have Rescued me more than once :o) less
Steve Donnellon
Steve Donnellon
3 months ago
Working with Roy remotely from Junea, Alaska has been a excellent experience and and he solved my so
...Working with Roy remotely from Junea, Alaska has been a excellent experience and and he solved my software issue and had hellp with preventing future issues. less
Jay Amburgey
Jay Amburgey
5 months ago
I was having trouble with my gmail email and I contacted Rescuecom and a technician named Roy helped
...I was having trouble with my gmail email and I contacted Rescuecom and a technician named Roy helped me restore email and folders that I thought were deleted or lost. I highly recommend these guys for your technology needs and they also help with cellphones, routers and tv's. Way to go Rescuecom. less
Jean Ende
Jean Ende
5 months ago
I was in a panic because I'd been hacked--they saved the day and took care of all my problems right
...I was in a panic because I'd been hacked--they saved the day and took care of all my problems right away. less
View all Google reviews

Featured in:


Feature Inthe New York TimesFOX NEWSUSA TodayComputer WorldCNNForbes