Does Airport security x-ray laptops and does it affect the hard drive?

Jul 16, 2006
94
0
0
Does Airport security x-ray laptops and does it affect the hard drive?

Or any other parts of the laptop?


Will the x-ray erase my data?
 

akshatp

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,349
0
76
Originally posted by: NOTORIOUS
Does Airport security x-ray laptops and does it affect the hard drive?

Or any other parts of the laptop?


Will the x-ray erase my data?

No, they let you walk right through with a possible bomb.

Of course they x-ray it. And of course it doesnt harm it. How would anyone travel with a computer if this was the case? I mean come on!
 

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.
 

child of wonder

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2006
8,307
176
106
Originally posted by: NOTORIOUS
Does Airport security x-ray laptops and does it affect the hard drive?

Or any other parts of the laptop?


Will the x-ray erase my data?

Yes, the x-rays will erase your data. It happens to hundreds of thousands of businessmen every day.

That's just the price of freedom.
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
65,468
408
126
Originally posted by: NOTORIOUS
Does Airport security x-ray laptops [1] and does it affect the hard drive [2]?

Or any other parts of the laptop?

Will the x-ray erase my data?

1. Yes.
2. No.

More info can be found here NOTORIOUS:

Since electronic media can withstand much more radiation than film can, it is also safe from damage.

Step Through, Please: X-Ray System
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
You shouldn't be worrying about your laptop. You need to be worrying about getting cancer from the radiation.
 

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
20,599
3,816
126
Originally posted by: db
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.

Eh? I have not had to do that - although I have only made two round trip flights in the last 6 months
 

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: Exterous
Originally posted by: db
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.

Eh? I have not had to do that - although I have only made two round trip flights in the last 6 months
I don't think you've had to do that since ca 2002.
 

Indolent

Platinum Member
Mar 7, 2003
2,128
2
0
Originally posted by: Exterous
Originally posted by: db
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.

Eh? I have not had to do that - although I have only made two round trip flights in the last 6 months

I've never had to do that either.
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
65,468
408
126
Originally posted by: Indolent
Originally posted by: Exterous
Originally posted by: db
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.

Eh? I have not had to do that - although I have only made two round trip flights in the last 6 months

I've never had to do that either.

Let's not forget "racial-profiling" people.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
Originally posted by: loup garou
I find it hard to believe someone is truly this ignorant.
I think it's not too bad of a question. I mean, who'd think that exposing metal to microwave radiation would cause it to act as an antenna for the radiation, and cause arcing?


Some people also worried that irradiation would turn food radioactive.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: db
You have to start it up for them to show that it is a real working computer, not a bomb. Usually it just has to start booting and they are happy.
No, if it was a bomb starting it up could set it off. It gets x-rayed and if there's any question about it, it gets tested for explosives and that's it.

Originally posted by: FoBoT
they xray millions of laptops everyday
it doesn't harm them
Bingo. I see well over a hundred laptops get x-rayed every day, nothing will happen to it.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: child of wonder
Yes, the x-rays will erase your data. It happens to hundreds of thousands of businessmen every day.

That's just the price of freedom.

This is why I love ATOT.:D
 

Scouzer

Lifer
Jun 3, 2001
10,358
5
0
i had to do the computer start up thing last couples times i flew...and once it got swabbed for explosives
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
65,468
408
126
Originally posted by: techs
Yes they x-ray it.
And yes they can see your porn on it.

<-- Must remember that next time I fly! :p