RE: Forensics Lab Equipment Questions

From: Todd Schubert (toddat_private)
Date: Thu Aug 16 2001 - 23:10:57 PDT

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    I would recommend against the any soundblaster live product if you are
    wanting to run 2000 on the box.  I have seen many compatibility problems
    with them.  One of these problems is documented in MS knowledge base
    Q211241.  The work around is uninstall the card.  I also saw a page on the
    creative labs site a couple months ago that basically said change operating
    systems.  I can't find that page on the creative labs site any more so I
    don't know if the issue was fixed or not.  If I were you I would use a
    different card just to be on the safe side.
    
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Jupp, Peter [mailto:JuppPat_private]
    Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 10:10 AM
    To: forensicsat_private
    Subject: Forensics Lab Equipment Questions
    
    
    Greetings All,
    
    Does anyone know a good supplier for a bench-mounted variable power supply?
    
    Secondly, has anyone found a universal solution for getting power to a
    laptop computer with no power supply? We are often asked by other
    investigators if we can determine the owner of recovered stolen laptops. Of
    course, the battery has always fully discharged and there is no power supply
    (disposable computing for thieves). There are so many of these coming in
    with no real evidenciary value (we're just looking to get them back to their
    rightful owners) that we don't do a proper forensic analysis, usually within
    30 seconds after booting it up we can find enough clues to determine who
    used to own it. The problem is that we often don't have a compatible power
    supply. If there exists some kind of universal option, I haven't found it
    yet...but I'd be very interested to know how others cope with the same
    problem. Our collection of power supplies is slowly growing, but not fast
    enough.
    
    Thirdly, does anyone use an external CDRW drive (not for using with the
    forensic box, just for our laptops)? Any recommendations? We were using an
    older HP, it sure makes a lot of coasters.
    
    Finally, since we're on the subject of equipment, I have the enviable task
    of building a couple of forensic workstations.  I have so far compiled the
    following list of components. If anyone has any comments on compatibility
    issues, or has had a particularly bad experience with anything on this list
    I'd appreciate knowing about it before I submit my wishlist.
    
    Case -- Antec SX1040B
    Motherboard -- ASUS P4T Intel 850 Pentium 4
    Processor -- Pentium 4 1.5GB (comes with 128MB RDRAM)
    Memory -- Extra two 64MB RIMMS for a total of 256MB
    Storage -- Quantum Fireball AS 20.5GB
    Storage -- Plextor 16X10X40
    Video Card -- GeForce2 MX-400 32MB
    SCSI Card -- Adaptec 2940
    Audio Card -- SB Live Value
    DVD Drive -- ??? (Any recommendations appreciated)
    
    Thanks in advance,
    
    
    > Det. Peter Jupp
    > High Tech Crime Unit
    > Ottawa Police Service
    > CANADA
    > (613)236-1222  ext.2234
    > *E*jupppat_private
    >
    >
    
    
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