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    How to prepare a thinkpad for service?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Kubala, Sep 3, 2008.

  1. Kubala

    Kubala Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need to send my x61 for service due to extensive heat and failed wireless card. I need some advice before shipping it for repairs:

    1. I've bought the notebook with vista business, but downgraded to XP. Do I need to install vista back again?
    2. What is the best protection for my personal information on the computer? can I pull out the harddrive? it would be tedious to remove all the info from my computer, but if it's necessary I'll do it. I have backup anyway. What do you recommend?
     
    Kubala, Sep 3, 2008
    #1
  2. dallasb

    dallasb Notebook Enthusiast

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    Back it up! Get rid of any data you don't want anyone else to see. Send the drive with the notebook
     
    dallasb, Sep 3, 2008
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  3. chen

    chen Notebook Deity

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    There are some software like CCleaner that can delete your files with methods like rewriting over it many times that theoretically wouldn't allow anyone to access your deleted files.
     
    chen, Sep 3, 2008
    #3
  4. eelton

    eelton Notebook Enthusiast

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    When I've sent my laptops in for repair, I've removed the hard drive first. They shouldn't need the drive to address the issues you describe. That way, you know your data is safe.
     
    eelton, Sep 3, 2008
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  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Unless it's the drive that's broken, pull it.
     
    ZaZ, Sep 3, 2008
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  6. JaneL

    JaneL Super Moderator

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    Never send anything to EasyServ that isn't part of the problem. If you still send your HDD, assume that your data will be gone.
     
    JaneL, Sep 3, 2008
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  7. dallasb

    dallasb Notebook Enthusiast

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    I hate getting notebooks for service without hard drives. Inveriably the systems go back and the customer pops the drive back in and they have some minor goofy problem....


    aside from that, it is beyond me why easyserv blows out the drive for everything with no apparent reason. replace a system board, wipe the drive. Replace a keyboard, wipe the drive. Clean the screen, clean the drive.
     
    dallasb, Sep 3, 2008
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  8. Kubala

    Kubala Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the tips guys.

    I'll take dallasb advice. I know how these people work, if I won't send them drive I'll get the notebook back with other problem and they'll say to me "we could have fix that/check that, but we didn't had the drive". I'll backup everything and remove all the data the from the computer, but will leave the XP on the drive.
     
    Kubala, Sep 4, 2008
    #8