Mobile Computing: Emergency Kit

Feature: The Road Warrior's Emergency Kit

Duct tape and plastic sheeting are all well and good. But what every business traveler should have in case of emergency is, among other things, a tasty nutrition bar.

On a recent cross-country trip, Bankruptcy Airlines served me a cold bagel for breakfast. On my return flight, I was faced with a squirmy ham-and-cheese sandwich for dinner. Luckily, I had packed several Clif's Bars, a pack of peanuts, and an apple, so I wouldn't arrive at my destination ravaged by hunger.

Let's face it: Travel these days ain't what it used to be. For anyone toting along a notebook, PDA, and a mobile phone or other gadget, getting from point A to B can be especially trying. Here are some safety and comfort items every road warrior should pack.

A Backup Storage Device

I recently devoted an entire feature to backup strategies, so I'll just recap a few key points here.

Because notebooks are subject to drops and theft, backing up the files you're working on while on the road is an excellent idea. Your best bet is a tiny, lightweight, rugged USB drive. Just insert it into your notebook's USB port, copy files from your hard drive onto the USB drive, and you're done. Should something happen to your notebook, you can plug your USB drive into any PC with an operating system newer than Windows 98 and it will be instantly recognized. At that point, you can just transfer your files to the other computer. Backing up your data on the road doesn't get much easier than that.

USB drives are small enough to put in your pocket. If possible, don't pack your drive in the same bag as your notebook. That way, if your notebook is lost or stolen, at least you'll still have your files.

Some USB drives to consider include devices from SanDisk and JMTek. SanDisk's Cruzer is available in configurations of 32MB. Pricing starts around $37; you can use the PCWorld.com Product Finder to check the latest prices. JMTek makes several models of its USBDrive, ranging from 16MB to 1GB, with prices beginning at around $27. Go to our Product Finder for the latest prices.

Restore Discs

Most likely, your notebook shipped with one or more CDs containing the operating system, Microsoft Office and other applications, and hardware drivers that were installed by the vendor. If you're heading off on a lengthy trip, during which you'll have to use your computer frequently, consider carrying those CDs with you. You'll need them in case your hard drive dies (mine did not long ago), your computer picks up a virus, or some other calamity causes your system to become inoperable. Pack the installation CDs for any other critical applications you may need, too. And make sure you have all your software's serial numbers, too--you'll need them to complete installation.

Tech Support Numbers

Before traveling, be sure you have the phone number for your notebook vendor or IT department's tech support department. Also, having your computer's express service code or service tag numbers handy can cut the time you spend on a tech support call. Put all this information where you can get to it easily--a PDA address book entry, for instance, or a card inside your wallet. Some vendors, such as Dell Computer, keep this information stored on your notebook for you.

A Small but Absorbent Towel

If you really want to be prepared for disaster, consider packing a small, thirsty towel in your notebook bag. Why? Liquid spilled on your keyboard can seep through the keys, trickle into the circuitry, and cause damage. Should you spill water, coffee, or other fluid onto the keyboard, immediately grab the towel and stretch it across the keyboard, then turn your notebook upside down so that the moisture will seep out.

A Suitcase Lock

Call me paranoid, but I worry about my notebook and other gadgets when I've left them behind in a hotel room. Many hotels catering to business travelers offer in-room safes now, some of which are large enough to accommodate notebooks, but just as many don't. If I'm going to be away from my notebook for a while, and I can't fit it into the hotel room safe, I lock it up in my suitcase. It's not a foolproof plan, of course--a thief could simply steal my suitcase--but it's better than nothing. You could also check your notebook with hotel security, though that can be inconvenient.

Something to Eat

As I mentioned earlier, airline food has gone from bad to almost nonexistent--reason enough to bring your own. Even if your flight is only a short one, in fact, it's a good idea to take something to eat. For instance, I was once stuck in an airplane on the runway for nearly three hours because of mechanical, weather, and other problems. Because the flight was scheduled to last only one hour, though, I hadn't eaten before boarding and had nothing to chew on but my nerves. Ever since then, I always try to pack at least one nutrition bar--Clif Bars taste the best, in my opinion--in my carry-on bag. (A miniature bottle of vodka might not be a bad idea, either, but that's another story.)

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Is there an item you keep in your notebook emergency kit that I didn't mention? If so, write to me.