blk@mitre.org (Brian L. Kahn) (12/13/90)
I have sometimes wondered about the wisdom of letting laptops be carried around the Xray machines. Takes very little "innards" to light up a display, and many of the older laptops are big enough to conceal a slim pistol. I always leave my laptop in my carry-on bag, and send it through Xray. I would like to know if anyone has personally experience trouble with this. The machines I've carried have all been Radio shack 100 sort of critters, with battery backed RAM. Surely RAM should flip a few bits before any damage occurs at a harder level! Also recall that Xray machines usually won't show a trace of fog on ASA-1000 film, although some are reported to leave a barely perceptible amount (ref Pop Photog). I've also seen (on the rec.photo newsgroup) evidence that the exterior perimeter of the machines are much more dangerous, due to location of power supplies and shielding, so that when you pass your system to the agent, around the metal detector arch, you are taking a more serious risk. -- B< Brian Kahn blk@security.mitre.org "may the farce be with you"