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anongirl17 · Feb 1, 2009, 11:23 AM

Hi,

My boyfriend's laptop has been sent into the repair shop because it is effectively dead (flat battery and won't respond to being plugged in).

However, my concern is the extremely personal video and images we put on it a couple of weeks ago :o

How likely is it that the repair technicians would look at these files? And is it very likely that they would risk their jobs and do anything with them if they did?

I'm losing sleep over this, I know it was a stupid thing to do in the first place but we were only having a laugh :(

EDIT: I just spoke to my boyfriend and he couldn't get to the repair shop after all, so the laptop is still in his hands. So is there anything we can do to it before he takes it in?

NeedKarma · Feb 1, 2009, 11:33 AM

How likely? Depends on who is doing the repairs and where you brought it. I never look at anything other than system files (do unto others) but The Geek Squad and others like them have been known to browse a hard drive. No one is likely to lose their job if they did because no one would know.

anongirl17 · Feb 1, 2009, 11:37 AM

I meant surely they would lose their job if they did something malicious with the files, such as uploaded them onto the internet? I'd be upset to think of one or two people looking but I could live with it, but I'm more concerned about it getting put somewhere public.

ScottGem · Feb 1, 2009, 11:39 AM

The likelihood of them broswing the hard drive is small, but not impossible.

The problems with the laptop are hardware related so there would be no reason to browse any files. As long as the computer can be booted that's all they need.

On the other hand, they may just do some diagnostics like a mechanic might do for a car.

However, if they do spot the files, you will probably never know it. They are unlikely to risk their jobs by doing anything with the files.

NeedKarma · Feb 1, 2009, 11:41 AM

There are no guarantees. It's too easy to transfer stuff to a USB key without being caught. It's been like this since the beginning of computer repair, only it's gotten much easier. That's why it's good to know someone you trust before you need repairs... that and not having sensitive files that are not hidden or on a removable media.

anongirl17 · Feb 1, 2009, 11:56 AM

Thanks for replying, I suppose I'll just have to try not to think about it because I'll never know...

ScottGem · Feb 1, 2009, 11:59 AM

Until your 15 yr old son stumbles across the pics on some porn site he sneaks a peek at. But then he probably won't tell yousince he wasn't supposed to be on those sites anyway.

Just kidding, sorry I couldn't resist.

anongirl17 · Feb 1, 2009, 12:04 PM

Oh gosh what a thought :(

ScottGem · Feb 1, 2009, 12:08 PM

On a more realistic side, the digital revolution has changed a lot mores. When you have teens "sexting" erotic pictures of themselves to their friends (of both sexes), someone discovering you were indiscreet when you were young and foolish may not have much affect on your future.

anongirl17 · Feb 1, 2009, 12:50 PM

Edited^^

Any teeny weeny chance we could do something? Apart from smashing the thing up of course :-)

ScottGem · Feb 1, 2009, 02:09 PM

Since its already in the shop, then no.

NeedKarma · Feb 1, 2009, 03:39 PM

EDIT: I just spoke to my boyfriend and he couldn't get to the repair shop after all, so the laptop is still in his hands. So is there anything we can do to it before he takes it in?

Cut and paste those files to a CD or a USB key.

ScottGem · Feb 1, 2009, 04:26 PM

To post follow-up please don't edit an existing post, just use the answer this question options.

Unless he can get the laptop to boot up, there is little he can do.

anongirl17 · Feb 12, 2009, 12:15 AM

In the end my boyfriend gave them the laptop minus the hard drive. We thought that as it is almost certainly a power problem they wouldn't need it, and they took it in the knowledge that there was no hard drive inside so there shouldn't be a problem should there?

isxrc · May 16, 2009, 06:50 AM

Hi I repair computers regularly, although we tend to not look at the files, it doesn't mean that they aren't accessible and that other people won't look. Especially if the pics are a bit x rated... most people can't control themselves and look :eek:. The best thing to do would be to copy the files on to a cd or external drive (flash drive etc) and then delete them from your PC and empty the recycle bin. Try downloading a tool called ccleaner which will remove temporary internet files and clear your recycle bin for you. Hope this helps.