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Getting Through Customs
With so many countries in the world, you can be sure that there are a variety of customs regulations. Plan
wisely to get your notebook computer through customs by carrying the appropriate documentation to assure
the customs agent that your system is not a recent purchase.
Travellers are often asked, when returning to their home country, whether or not they purchased the
computer while outside the country. Sometimes, the proof of purchase such as a bill of sale, insurance
policy, or purchase receipt is sufficient. Taking along the purchase receipt for your notebook may sound
practical, but may not always suffice, particularly when the purchaser of the computer is your company and
the original receipt is not available to you.
Connecting / Using Your Modem (if applicable to your system)
Whether you are on a business trip or on holiday, connecting to the Internet while you travel can be
expensive and frustrating unless you are prepared.
Here are some tips on how to avoid frustration and expenses while on the road.
1. Before leaving home, check with your Internet Service Provider to see if it has:
o
a local access number at your point of destination.
o
a toll-free number that can also save you money.
o
in the absence of a local ISP access number or toll-free number, charging the call to your home
phone can be less expensive than charging the call to your hotel room.
2. Prepare your system for phone line access in another country.
o
Line access outside of a hotel may require an additional digit preceding the phone number string. Be
sure to modify your dial-up connection, as required.
o
To avoid unusual dialling tone sounds sometimes encountered in hotels, you may have to modify a
modem configuration setting to ignore the dialling tone.
3.
Always check the phone line to determine whether or not it is digital or analogue. The internal modem in
your notebook has built-in protection that detects the presence of a digital phone line and displays a
warning message to alert you.
Connecting / Using a LAN (if applicable to your system)
Many hotels and Convention Centres now offer direct Internet access for a nominal fee. If your hotel provides
this service, follow these guidelines for connecting and configuring your system.
Many hotels can provide a LAN cable by prearrangement, so you can travel with a minimum of accessories
1. Plug the LAN cable into your system and the LAN connector in the room or hall where you want to
access the Internet.
2. After connecting the LAN cable, connect your system to an AC power outlet (if desired) and power on
your system.
3. Try launching your browser (Windows® Internet Explorer®, or
Netscape Communicator
, for example):
o
If your TCP/IP network settings are already configured to
"Use DHCP for WINS Resolution"
you
should be able to access the Internet.
o
If your TCP/IP network settings are not set to use DHCP, a help screen may appear, or you may be
directed to call the LAN provider for assistance configuring your system.
Follow the instructions that are provided to you completely, so your settings work effectively with the
provider's system.
