| | |  | Domestic Violence | Home » » » Kensington K64576US ComboSaver Portable Notebook Computer Lock (Red ) | | | | | | | Description: | | If your computer is stolen, it's not just the computer that you may be missing. Theft or loss of a computer or data storage medium, make up 54% of all identity theft-related data breaches. Protect your notebook from theft wherever you go. The ComboSaver Combination Portable Notebook Lock is security that travels easily with a cable that instantly coils. Plus the low-profile lock fits great with slim notebook designs. Works with 99% of all notebooks via the Kensington Security Slot. Online registration makes it easy to retrieve lost combinations | | | Features: | |
• Self-coiling cable extends from 3-in to 6-ft
• Slim-profile lock attaches to 99% of notebooks with patented T-bar locking mechanism
• Simple to set combination with easy view window and comfort grip dials
• 10,000 personalized combination codes
• SAFE-tested for greater security and peace of mind
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 1.38 inches | | Product Width:
| 6.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 7.75 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.35 pounds | | Package Length:
| 6.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.35 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 12 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 12 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Do not buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sep 06, 2008
By Dragon Mom
"Dragon's Lair"
I purchase a Kensington combination cable lock in July for my college-bound student. After receiving the cable, we found that it did not work and exchanged it for another. The new one worked and we gave it no further thought until school started. My daughter has been using the cable for about two weeks now and has experienced some problems with the combination not releasing. Yesterday, as she was preparing to leave for the weekend, she found that the lock would not release. One hour, 3 people and $2.00 in the parking meter later, we decided that a pair of cable cutter would be the answer. I see some reviews on other brands that have experience similiar problems. To avoid future problems of this nature, she purchased a Kensington KEYED cable lock. So now I am out the money for a cable that malfunctioned and it took simple pair of small wire cutter to defeat! I would like to know how this security cable was going to protect the computer from someone with the intent of stealing it. All it did was give us trouble. Spend the extra money and buy a cable lock with a key!
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONSMay 20, 2011
By Stoney
The hardware appears to be well made.
Operation is ridiculously easy, once you know how.
In my experience, the lock has worked flawlessly.
It is a great deal for the price (about $10 for the gray version at the time of this writing).
CAVEAT
You really need three children-size hands to operate the lock (one to hold the computer, one to hold the lock body, and one to push the button and/or spin the dials. Fortunately, it is possible, to operate the lock with two normal-size hands.
Although operation is ridiculously simple, the multilingual supplied "instructions" (actually just several labeled diagrams) are far from clear. Worse, the "instructions" are intimidating. Moreover the instructions don't tell you how to unlock the lock. I strongly suspect that nearly all of the negative reviews are from purchasers who were justifiably confused and frustrated with the undecipherable "instruction cartoons". I'm sure that most purchasers, if supplied with good instructions, would be very happy with their purchase of the Kensington Combosaver Portble Computer Lock.
SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS
Okay, my instructions (below) are very wordy, for the sake of clarity. I think I've figured out what most of the reviewers were doing wrong when they reported that they couldn't make the lock work. My wordiness is intended to prevent those errors and misunderstandings.
DEFINITIONS
The "lock body" is the portion of the lock with the dials and the button at the end, it does NOT include the collar to which the cable is attached. When the instructions say "rotate the lock body" then rotate the LOCK BODY (it doesn't matter whether the cable collar rotates or not).
The "t-bar" (on the end with the little rubber boot) is the "business end" of the lock, you have to stick it into the computer lock slot and turn it 90 degrees, THEN lock it in place. The t-bar does not rotate to the "lock position" by itself, or when you push the button, or when you scramble the dial. Rotating the cable collar does not rotate the t-bar. You have to insert the t-bar into the lock slot and then rotate the LOCK BODY body 90 degrees.
The "yellow window" refered to in the official instructions is more of a yellow bracket. Despite the "official" instuctions, it does NOT matter if the "yellow window" is visible at any point in the process of LOCKING the computer.
You WILL need to see the "yellow window" to UNLOCK the computer. That MAY (or may not) require you to turn the computer backwards, on it's side, or upside down. If so, that's an incovenience, not a problem.
The lock will open to ONLY ONE combination. If you change the combination, then NEITHER 0000, NOR ANY other "old" combination will work.
TEST
First try locking and unlocking the lock by itself, NOT to the computer.
> To lock, dial in 0000 in the "yellow window". Then, while pushing the button all the way in, scramble the numbers. Release the button. THAT's IT! REALLY! IT'S THAT SIMPLE! If you've done it right the button should stay pushed in.***
> To unlock, dial in 0000. THAT'S IT! REALLY! IT'S THAT SIMPLE! If you've done it right, the button will pop out.
Repeat, until you are comfortable with the operation.
***notice that when you push the button in, that two pins next to the t-bar are extruded. When you lock the lock to the computer, these pins grip the computer. Scrambling the dial prevents the pins from retracting, which means that the lock is locked.
IMPORTANT>>>>>Practice locking and unlocking the lock to the computer using the default 0000 combination, BEFORE you even THINK about changing the combination.
LOCKING THE LOCK TO THE COMPUTER
1> Dial in 0000 in the "yellow window"
2> Push the t-bar into the lock slot of your portable computer and rotate the lock body 90 degrees counterclockwise (it will probably be loose, that's okay). This is the "lock position"**
3> Holding the lock body in place (without rotating it), while pushing the button all the way in, scramble the numbers***
THAT'S IT! REALLY!! Release the button, and jiggle to check that you did it right.
**There are only two possible ways (with the lock body facing up, or facing down) to insert the t-bar into the slot. If the "yellow window" is not visible when the lock is in the lock position, then note the orientation of the lock body and try it "the other way". (I'm not being more specific because that would confuse you. Honest. It depends on the orientation of the lock slot, which is different on different computers.)
***Holding lock body (without allowing it to rotate) while pushing in the button and scrambling the numbers is awkward. One way is to grip the end of the lock with two fingers of your left hand and pull OUTward while you push the button INward with your thumb. Wedge your right hand against the computer to hold it in place, and scramble the dial with your thumb and finger. If you didn't catch that, chill, and just do it your way.
UNLOCKING THE LOCK
> Dial in 0000 in the yellow "yellow window"
THAT'S IT! REALLY!!
TO SET A NEW COMBINATION (OPTIONAL)
IMPORTANT>>>>The lock has to be unlocked in order to change the combination, so do not try to change the combination when it is attached to the computer.
1> Dial in the current combination in the "yellow window"
2> Insert the fork-like "key" into the slots in the button end.
3> Press the key in and rotate clockwise until the yellow marks align**
4> Set the new combination in the "yellow window"***
5> Press in and rotate the key counter-clockwise back to its original posiiton (check that the yellow marks are NOT aligned)
THAT'S IT!
** If you can't get the key to rotate, then push it in harder
*** Start with the first digit, which is the dial nearest the rubber boot and t-bar.
These cable-type locks (regardless of price) are deterents to CASUAL theft, nothing more. That being the case, there is no point thinking up a difficult combination that you might forget. Use your birth year, the last 4 digits of your telephone number, your ATM number, or something else familiar. "1111" would be as good a combination as any.
CHECK THE NEW COMBINATION before trying to lock the lock to the computer.
A> READ the combination in the "yellow window", one digit at a time, starting from the first digit which is the dial nearest the t-bar. WRITE the new combination down. Check that it is the combination that you intended to set. Even if the combination you set is "wrong" it is now the "current combination". If you've set a "wrong" combination, then (without touching the dial) go to back to step #2 (above) and set the combination that you DO want.
B> TEST---With the new combination showing in the "yellow window", if you can push the button all the way in, then you've done it right.
C> Write down a "reminder" somewhere, such as "ATM" for your 4-digit ATM code if that is what you used for your combination, and keep it with the lock. My reminder is writen on a small label stuck to the "fork-like" key, and protected with clear tape.
IF THE LOCK DOESN'T WORK
1> When trying to lock the lock--If you cannot push in the button all the way in with the dial set to the current combination, or you cannot scramble the dials:
a> Be sure you rotated the lock body 90 degrees. Try rotating back and forth by about 10 degrees while pushing the button.
b> By feel, by rotating each dial back-and-forth, check that each dial is centered between "clicks". If just one digit (dial) is slightly misaligned, then the lock will not operate.
c> Pull the lock body away from the computer as you push the button in.
2> When trying to unlock the lock---If the button does not pop out when the dial is set to the current combination.
a> Jiggle the lock
b> By feel, by rotating each dial back-and-forth, check that each dial is centered between "clicks". If just one digit (dial) is slightly misaligned, then the lock will not operate.
WHAT IF YOU REALLY SCREWED UP BIG TIME
What if you set a combination you did not intend to set, and you don't know what it was? Or otherwise you forgot what the combination is?
You can fairly quickly systematically go through all possible combinations, starting with 0000, then 0001, then 0002 etc. etc. The button will pop out (and the lock will be unlocked) when you get to the combination. I hope it isn't 9999.
SMOOTHER OPERATION
If you'd like a smoother more solid feel to the tumblers and other moving parts, then work a little silicon grease between the moving parts. Work the parts to spread around the grease. Wipe off excess. If you don't happen to have a tube of silicon grease on hand, then buy one. Although it works very well for lubricating mechanical devices, it is even more useful in improving electronic connections. Permatex 22058 Dielectric Tune-up Grease - 3 oz. Do NOT use ordinary (petroleum-based) grease or oil, it can leak and stain things, will attract dirt, and will eventually become gummy and glue-up the lock.
THE ONE-PAGE MANUAL
I suggest downloading a 2-page all English verson of the manual, which is a little clearer. Amazon automatically detects and erases web addresses, so I can't give that to you.
In Google or some other search engine, search for:
Kensington Manual K64576US
From the US Kensington page, select "manual" which will open the manual in Adobe Reader.
Print the second page (you don't need the first page), trim and fold it, and keep it with the lock, just in case.
CHOOSING LOCKS--key or combination?
A key is slightly quicker to use, but keys can get lost. Moreover, I suspect that most keyed computer locks can be openned by a generic key. I'd rather trust a combination. Caveat--Guys with thick fingers may find it impossible to turn the dials one-at-a-time. So, guys with thick fingers (or anyone without full use of both hands) should buy a keyed cable lock.
NOTES TO KENSINGTON
If you want better reviews, then supply customers with better instructions. Instead of that "features video" on your website, you should have a video which shows how to operate the lock. Finally, how about supplying a small piece of plastic, perhaps 1" square, with a "lock slot" cut into it? If buyers could practice locking and unlocking the lock to a piece of plastic (instead of their precious computers) that would releive much of the anxiety.
A spring built into the rubber boot so that when the t-bar is inserted and the lock rotated, that the lock would be held in place, would make the process of locking the lock much easier. Increasing the diameter of the dials by 50% would probably make it more difficult for the numbers to be subtly misaligned and would make the lock easier to use for buyers with normal or large size hands.
How about a hybrid lock design, a key plus 2-digit dial? Buyers with normal-size finger would be able to use the dial, and the dial would eliminate concerns regarding generic keys? If the key has to be turned every time after dialing in a new combination, trial and error would take a while, sufficient to deter a casual thief.
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Unless you have cable cutters, don't order this lock!Sep 08, 2008
By K. Thompson
"K"
I received this in the mail today, and promptly opened the instruction booklet to try it out. All that I can say is good luck reading the instruction booklet (which has no words, only pictures!). The first thing that I tried to do is change the combination number, but I could not figure out how to use the combination key changer (I couldn't get the lock to rotate), so I called customer support (which is outsourced to another country). After fiddling around with it for a minute, the CS rep determined that I had somehow erroneously changed the number without knowing it, therefore, the lock was now useless because we didn't know the code. He offered to send me a new one. NO WAY!
I'm telling you, if it was that easy for me to change the combination without barely doing anything, there is no way that I would attempt to use this lock to lock my laptop to anything! I would have to pay a locksmith to get it off! If you order this lock (which I don't advise), I strongly recommend that you NOT lock your computer to anything before testing it out. I'm sending mine back for a keyed lock!!!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Looks like it could be good...Sep 17, 2010
By LewisDot
I'm moving into my college dorm tomorrow morning, and I bought this laptop lock several hours ago (from a brick-and-mortar store). I was looking for a classic keyed lock, but this was the only one left on the shelf, so I bought it, trusting the Kensington name.
I didn't really care if the lock could be killed in five minutes with bolt cutters; I just wanted a decent deterrent for casual thieves. That's all I was hoping for - no more, no less.
Evidently, I was hoping for too much.
I'm normally rather patient, but I fiddled with the lock for nearly an hour and soon after began to curse at it. I couldn't even get the thing to lock, nor could I change the factory-set "0000" combination. The "instructions" are one page of simple illustrations that look like they've been designed for a 3 year-old. They make everything look easy. It should be easy. It really should. But it's not.
"Maybe I'm just stupid," I thought, as I handed it over to my parents. My dad loves these kinds of things but couldn't figure it out for the life of him. My mom gave up after just ten minutes. I took the lock back and gave it another few tries, then scoured the Internet for possible tips. I found a few pointers on reviews of other Kensington locks on Amazon, but none of them worked for me. All of Kensington's combination locks seem to have problems; you'd think Kensington would have resolved them by now. Evidently not.
Maybe the problem is just poor quality control, and maybe my lock's just defective. But if it is, why are at least half of the other reviewers of every Kensington combination lock saying the same thing? And, even if I DO somehow get this thing on and locked, I wouldn't trust it to come off any more easily.
I'm going to return my lock tomorrow and run around frantically in an attempt to find a keyed one that actually works. I shouldn't have saved this purchase until the last minute, but I thought buying a name-brand lock would be simple and easy. Unfortunately, it's not. I wish I'd had a chance to read reviews on this thing before I bought it, because they're all right. Unless you have a boatload of patience and a couple days to waste away figuring this thing out, you should avoid it. Needless to say, I now know why it was the only one left in the store.
This lock has potential, as do all of these Kensington combination devices. Maybe yours will work fine. But it probably won't.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 A bit clumsy, but does what it's supposed to.Feb 23, 2009
By Keith Gonzalez
"Keitan"
We purchased a number of these for theft deterrents at campus. It is nice to be able to change the combinations with each new set of student workers, but the reach and operation of the unit is a bit of an acquired talent. To lock, set the lock to your combination, insert the t-bar and then try to gently push in the tumbler until you get the alignment right. Then with the tumbler pushed in, spin the combination to lock. Reverse this to unlock. It does take some time and manual dexterity to get used to, but overall we are happy with this product.
See all 12 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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