RISA-L DISSUSIONS ON USING LAPTOPS IN INDIA (7/96 & 12/96) Compiled by Lance Nelson (12/13/96) ================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 12:17:16 -0700 From: John E Llewellyn To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Query: Taking computer to India -Reply Vivek (via Sushil), I took a Mac PowerBook 165 to India to do research for nine months in 1994 and 1995, and here are a few random thoughts. I bought a transformer to charge the battery for the computer on Devon Avenue in Chicago (which is Chicago's Little India). The transformer had a crude surge protector--a five amp fuse which was supposed to blow out if the electric current suddenly jumped. Friends in India recommended that I buy one of the more sophisticated voltage stabilizers that are used for appliances there, but I never got around to that. The transformer that I took with me worked fine. I did not have a battery burn out; I never even had to change the fuse. Still, I was sufficiently worried about possible damage to my computer so that I never plugged it directly into the wall. I always worked off the batteries. This has the added benefit that you can keep on working if the power goes out. Power outages were relatively rare occurences while I was in India. But I was living in Delhi. I gather that the bijli is less reliable in other parts of the country. You probably know that the batteries wear out, so you need to make sure that you are ready for that eventuality. I had two relatively new ones and they lasted me for the nine months, but both of them have since given up the ghost. I don't know if you would be able to find Mac batteries in Delhi. Even if they are available, I would imagine that they cost an arm and a leg. I know next to nothing about other kinds of computer support. I took a printer with me, so I never had to find one that was publically available. I didn't try e-mail. I never had to have my computer serviced. If you encounter those problems, and you find a way to solve them, I'll be impressed. While I am on the subjects of batteries, Indian Airlines confiscated them from carry-on baggage on domestic flights in India when I was there. They said that they would give them back to you when you reached your destination, but I was reluctant to trust that. So I always took my laptop in my carry-on bag on trips if I was planning to use it, but packed the batteries in my checked baggage. (Same problem applies to camera batteries, too, I think, though I don't remember running across that.) I was always concern about dust, so I put my PowerBook away in a cabinet when I wasn't using it. In the end I had no problem, and, in fact, I am still cranking away on the same machine. Finally, friends cautioned me that I should be a little careful about where I used my laptop, lest I tempt a thief to conk me on the melon prior to making off with it. I have occasionally found myself using the PowerBook in public in the States, while waiting for a plane, for example, but I didn't do that in India. Wouldn't be prudent, to quote Dana Carvey's impression of George Bush. Despite all of these cautions I should emphasize that I used by PowerBook heavily in India for nine months, and I am still relying upon the notes that I took at that time. Despite the potential problems (and I should say again that I didn't have many actual problems), I don't think that I would go again without one if I could afford it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Sincerely, Jack Llewellyn jel807f@wpgate.smsu.edu ================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 08:21:28 -0700 From: John Dunne To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Query: Taking computer to India -Reply I'm jumping into the middle of this discussion, so I apologize for any needless repetition. But despite the dangers of *punarvacana*, I thought I should share some of my experiences with laptop computers in India. I have conducted research in Benares/Sarnath for a total of a little over two years with a break of about a year between the first and second year. On each occasion, I had a portable computer with me, and each time the computer contributed tremendously to my research. My work largely concerns texts, so the benefits of a computer are perhaps obvious, but I have also known some anthropologists who have found a computer extremely useful in India -- field notes and such can become horrendously `garbar' if one has to rely on paper and pen. As for the details of computer usage, one prime concern is weight. On my first trip, I carried an ancient Toshiba 386 computer that weighed a ton -- at least fifteen pounds with the batteries. Since I travelled almost exclusively by rail, any trips `out of station' required that I lug this monster with me. I did not enjoy it. Fortunately, most computers these days weigh less than eight pounds, and many weigh only six pounds or so. If your research requires you to travel, anything you can do to lighten your load would be wise. Do not bring any unnecessary peripherals. Having imparted this upade"sa about the perils of poundage, I will now proceed to suggest that you carry some rather heavy items. The equipment I will mention all has to do with safeguarding your computer from the assaults of Indian electricity. I should note, however, that you *probably* could just plug your computer into the wall wherever you went, and in the course of a year, there is a *fairly good* chance that nothing would happen. But if something does happen, you probably will not be to happy about it. Hence, the advice below all focuses on avoiding the worst case scenario, as it were. A previous respondent mentioned a voltage stabilizer, an easily spotted item in the home of any Indian with a fridge or TV. This is not, however, a piece of equipment that you should use. The quality of the current that it suppies is in many cases more uneven than the current from the wall, and computers do not like uneven current. There is an important distinction to be drawn here beteween low voltage and uneven current. Major appliances such as TVs simply will not function if the voltage drops below a certain level; hence, a device such as a stabilizer is necessary to step up the voltage when it begins to drop. But most laptops these days come equipped with variable voltage transformers -- they can handle any range of voltage from 110 up to about 250, so a drop in avoltage is not a problem. What can cause a problem, however, are power fluctuations. While the mean voltage may be stable, if it is ragged, it can harm a computer. Hence, to reiterate the advice of the previous respondent, avoid plugging your computer into the wall anywhere in India! In most cases, you would be fine, but if you get caught by a power spike, you could damage your computer. This advice is particularly relevant when residing in smaller cities such as Benares. One friend's powerbook simply stopped working, and it later became evident that ragged current was the culprit. In most cases, what is actually damaged is your computer's power supply and/or transformer. If you have an external transformer, than you might just burn that out -- but where are you going to get another one? In short, always run your computer off of batteries, and do not plug it directly into the wall. At this point, the puurvapak.sa should ask, "If you do not plug your computer into the wall, how do you recharge the batteries?" There are a few different approaches. If your computer is equipped with an external transformer, and if it is clear that the transformer would burn out before your computer was effected by a power spike, then you can just charge your batteries in your computer while you are not using it. What this means is that you are in effect plugging your computer into the wall, but you only do so to charge the batteries. This may still be unsafe, but with the computer off you reduce the risk of damage in at least some cases. Of course, you run the risk of burning out your transformer, so this approach requires an extra transformer, which adds to your weight and detracts from your funds. Another approach is to carry a quick charger. Usually you have to use one that is specific to the batteries in your computer (the manufacturer can advise you). This item can be surprisingly useful. In both 1992 and 1994, I sometimes found myself with only about two hours of electricity for the entire day, and this situation would occasionally persist for a week or so. Usually, the dearth of bijli corresponded to an excess of time-sensitive work. In 1992, I panicked, in 1994, I used my quick-charger. I could fully recharge two batteries in one hour. Two fully charged batteries usually gave me six hours of working time, which usually filled my needs for the day. A quick charger, however, adds some weight (usually they're fairly light), and they can be expensive. And one still faces the problem of the transformer -- many quick charges are designed to be powered by the external transformer you use for your computer. So if you are plugging the transformer into the wall to power the quick-charger, you are once again running the (perhaps small, perhaps not so small) risk of burning out the transformer. In the end, I settled on the technique that nearly every Indian computer firm will recommend: use a CVT (constant voltage transformer). A CVT plugs into the wall, and you plug your equipment into the CVT. Note that a CVT is *not* a stabiliser. It is far more sophisticated (and far more expensive). You can now by a CVT in even the smaller Indian cities. They usually cost about Rs.1800 - 3000, depending on the kind of unit you need. Some technicians might try to sell you a CVT that also converts volatge to 110, but since your computer's transformer probably converts the voltage for you, all you need is a regular CVT. The advantage of a CVT is that it both maintains the strength and the quality of the current. In other words, it flattens out all significant fluctuations. And should a catastrophic power surge occur, *only* your CVT will blow out. It is virtually impossible for any surge to reach your transformer or computer. Finally, a CVT also provides you with enough current to run other items -- even with the most measly electricity, I always had at least one bright light and functioning `Good Knight' machine while my unfortunate neighbors were sitting in browned-out dimness while being devoured by unhindered mosquitoes. The disadvantage of a CVT is that it weighs a ton. The unit is quite compact (about the size of two shoe boxes), but it sure is heavy. So don't plan on using it for short side trips. In those cases, I usually just left my computer with a *reliable* friend, or if I were travelling to a big city, I usually took my chances and plugged into the wall to charge my batteries. My final set-up in Benares looked like this: one CVT, one external transformer (my compaq only uses an external transformer), one quick-charger, and two batteries. I usually worked with the computer plugged directly into the CVT, but I kept a battery in the computer to avoid losing any work when the electricity failed (as it regularly did). During periods of severe electricity problems (heavy rains, harvest, etc.), I made sure to leave my CVT on with the quick-charger connected so as to take advantage of any electricity I could get. If you are living in a big city, a quick charger is probably unnecessary, and you might not even need an extra battery. I would just buy a CVT and work directly off of the CVT (which is, of course, plugged into the wall). By the way, one friend told me of a pukka Indian engineer who detested CVT's. He said the design actually *caused* power spikes in the output voltage. I find this hard to believe, and since I often had a lamp connected to the CVT, I almost certainly would have noticed any such spikes. In any case, *all* desktop computers in India are run off of CVT's (or off of power systems that function as CVT's), and I have yet to hear of any major problems. Desktop computers are much more sensitive to power problems than laptops, so if it works for a desktop, your laptop should be fine. Finally, as has been mentioned, keep an eye on your computer. I know someone who had a laptop stolen, although it was eventually recovered. When travelling, I put my laptop in its case, and then I put the case in some other, nondescript bag. I also brought a security capable with me (available for most laptops) and locked my laptop to some more or less immovable object. In hotels, I locked the laptop inside a large (and usually book-laden) suitcase, and sometimes I even locked the suitcase with a cable to some immovable item. This may sound paranoid, but remember, I spent most of my time in Benares. Mastii honaa caahie. Anyway, I hope all this rambling has proven helpful. sab kuch .thiik ho jaegaa John Dunne Study of Religion Harvard University ================================================= Date sent: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 12:43:16 -0800 Send reply to: risa-l@lists.acusd.edu From: "Kathleen M. Erndl" To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: step-down transformer Hi Folks, I am hoping that someone can give me some advice. I will be taking a NOTBOOK COMPUTER (Toshiba) to India in January, and I understand that I will need a step-down transformer to operate it off 220 current. Can I buy one in Delhi, or should I purchase one here? Can you recommend a computer store in Delhi? (I would prefer to buy in Delhi, of possible, since I'll be paid in rupees.) Also, can anyone recommend a web site or newsgroup faq which deals with personal computing issues/equipment, etc. in India generally? Kathleen ______________________________________________________________________ Kathleen M. Erndl phone: (904) 644-0207 Department of Religion fax: (904) 644-7225 Florida State University email: kerndl@mailer.fsu.edu Tallahassee, FL 32306-1029 ================================================= Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 13:14:00 -0800 From: Gene Thursby To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer In response to Kathleen Erndl's question about taking a notebook computer to Delhi in January, there is a discussion somewhere in the Indology-L archives on this question. If I can locate it, I will send you the reference. In any case, it is fairly easy to find a voltage converter or transformer in electrical goods shops in places like Khan Market and elsewhere. In the Indology discussion, several of us agreed that a voltage regulator (although expensive and relatively non-portable) is good additional insurance. I've had no serious power problems except with a Canon bubble-jet printer that caught fire due to voltage fluctuation. The internal power board needed (then unavailable) replacement. Perhaps someone can indicate whether it is equally easy to get the plug adaptors (if needed to fit your 2 or 3 prong Toshiba plug to the transformer) in Delhi, too. If not, you can get a set of them in a luggage or travel specialty shop here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gene Thursby ================================================= Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 13:30:44 -0800 From: Cort@CC.DENISON.EDU (John E. Cort) To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer Kathleen: You might double-check to make sure your Notebook doesn't run off of either 220 or 110 -- my IBM Notebook does, & I know others do. Be sure to buy a surge protector (or, in Indian English, spike protector). Ones that will work with European plugs & Indian current are available only in India -- I tried in both NJ & NY with no success. IN Delhi there are a number of small computer electronics shops in a neighborhood (I forget which - oops) off of Chandni Chowk on the other side of the Chowk street from the Jain temple. Once you find the neighborhood you'll find lots of shops. I first tried to buy one in Palika Bazaar, but with no success. Nor did I find one in Defence Colony Market. But do be sure to get a protector; my first one sacrificed itself when a short circuit blew out the power in the building I was staying in, & even though I was running the computer at the time, I was o.k. One final note -- I found that even with a protector my computer was very unhappy with the current fluctuations, & I had frequent keyboard freezeup, so I ended up just running it off the battery -- but at 220 the battery charged in less than half the time reuired on 110. John Cort ================================================= Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 14:23:14 -0800 From: John Dunne To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer As John C. mentioned, you should double check to see whether your computer might indeed handle 220 voltage. I am fairly certain that *all* Toshiba protables manufactured since about 1993 have full-range transformers, which means they can handle any voltage from about 100V to 250V. The way you check this is by looking at the actual transformer itself; in most cases, this is a little box that has two wires coming from it: one wire goes to the wall outlet, the other goes to your computer. That box should have the voltage range written on it. If you do not have a little box, then you have an internal transformer. In that case you'll have to look in the documentation that came with your computer. If your computer's transformer is not a full-range unit that handles 220V, then you will need a step down device. In India this is known as a "Step-down Constant Voltage Transformer" (Step-down CVT). I recommend that you buy this device in Delhi (especially since you can not buy such a device very easily in this country). The Fulbright office in Delhi recommends Mr. R.C. Agnihotra of "OPMS Engineers Pvt Ltd", F-63 Bhagat Singh Market; New Delhi 110 001. The phone numbers on his card are: 311394; 310306; 3732135. The last number might be your best bet. A step-down CVT might set you back about $200US. If your notebooks transformer is a full-range unit, you should still buy a CVT; you just don't need a *step-down* CVT. A regular CVT keeps the voltage at a steady 220V; unlike a step-down unit, it does not reduce the voltage to 120V. I did about two years of research in the Benares area, and I found a CVT to be essential. It keeps the voltage up in times of low voltage (use it for your "Good Knight" machine and keep the bugs away even in a brown-out! Gee whiz!). It also protects your computer from speaks and other irregularities in voltage. A regular CVT (not a step-down unit) should be about $100US, or perhaps less. I have bought CVTs from Mr. Agnihotri, and he was a delight to do business with. Although his firm (OPMS) is quite near Connaught Place, it is on a small side street, so be sure your taxi- or tempo-wallah knows where he is going. Good luck! John Dunne Study of Religion Harvard University ================================================= Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 17:39:09 -0800 From: Gary J Hausman To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer Even if the Notebook does run off of 220 (as is quite likely, unless it's an older model) a transformer would be needed to avoid blowing out your printer. And yes, a stabilizer is highly recommended. When I am in India, I use *V-Guard Electronic Voltage stabilizer*, which cost me Rs. 520 in 1991. Gary Hausman Columbia University ================================================= Date sent: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 20:49:59 -0800 From: "F. Smith" To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer I second what John Dunne suggested, namely purchasing a CVT (COnstant Voltage Transmitter), especillly if you will not be in a major city. They are readily available at Nehru Place in South Delhi, for between Rs 2400 and 3000 (the more expensive ones are no better than the cheaper ones). If you have any questions about computers and equipment, contact Mr. Anand Pardhy at USIS (Kasturbai Gandhi Marg). He runs the computer operations there, is very friendly, and may even give you free of charge or for nominal cost equipment sitting around his office (and don't say this rahasya vidyaa came from me!). Fred Smith Univ. of Iowa ================================================= Date sent: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 15:21:45 -0800 From: Serinity Young To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: computers Kathleen, I second John Dunne's advice, but choose to spend money on a battery recharger that can do two batteries overnight (I, too, suffered through the vagaries of the Benares electric flow), and just run the computer on batteries. I used a converter for the printer. Serinity Young Southern Asian Institute Columbia University ================================================= Date sent: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 11:08:36 -0800 From: Malcolm To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: step-down transformer Just saw this post. Plug adaptors are easily available in Indian stores in cities like Philadelphia. I took my Toshiba Laptop T2105CS to India and used it without any step down transformer. All I needed was a plug adaptor. I used my Toshiba in Bangalore and Bombay only. In other cities a step-down transformer may be a must! Malcolm ================================================= --END--