My CD drive has failed and I am going to need to take my computer in to have it fixed. I have financial records and things of that nature that I don't want anyone to get there hands on. Is my data safe? Will Apple be going through the things on my hard drive? Should I back everything up and then do a secure erase on things?
I am a long time PC user and I am used to Dell who has you pull the hard drive before sending the computer off.
2006-09-30 10:26:50 · 8 answers · asked by Kev 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
They say that it will take 3 to 5 days to fix it and they will most likely change the drive.
I am considering
1. backing everything up
2. secure erasing financial stuff
3. reformatting the drive
2006-09-30 10:40:29 · update #1
They did say that they can't give me the drive because they will need to run tests to make sure they have fixed the problem.
2006-09-30 10:41:39 · update #2
Hi Kevin...Apple's repair facility usually reformats the hard drive without backing up any data. Generally as a rule of precaution with any computer including Mac's it's best to back up and remove any important sensitive data from your computer before sending it in for repair.
2006-09-30 22:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
CD drives normally don't get repaired because it is not economical to do so. So you will probably get a new one. Installing a new CD drive does not take that long and you can stand by while they do it. (If you are familiar with installing drivers you can just as well remove the hard drive and take your PC, let them install your new CD drive and you can install the drivers later)
http://www.cybertopcops.com/
2006-09-30 10:41:29 · answer #2 · answered by cppgenius 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends how much you trust the people who'll have access to it. Have you asked if you can pull your HDD before bringing it in? It seems to me if they're okay with you wiping the HDD, they could just as well let you pull it. Do you know what the problem is, i.e. if they just need to replace the CD drive do you have to hand it over to them, or can they just give you the replacement drive, or change it while you wait?
2006-09-30 10:36:11 · answer #3 · answered by Fix My PC Mike 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No need to do all of that! Come on, it's a Macintosh! :-) Your data is safe. Just add a password to your user account. If you're really paranoid, go to Security in your System Settings and enable File Vault, which will encrypt your data. You're safe with Mac.
2006-09-30 11:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by UbiquitousGeek 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your data should be safe, but. I will just say three words.
Backup - Backup - Backup. You never know when your computer will die. Get a USB External Hard drive that will fit EVERYTHING. They are cheap now, so there is no excuse. Visit http://www.newegg.com and look through their External Drive section. I have bought a number of these for my clients, and they are quick and easy.
2006-09-30 10:49:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tottly
2006-09-30 13:06:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say back everything up just in case. they always state that they are not responsiable for any lost data. and there is a 50% chance that you may lose everything. so Back it up.
2006-09-30 10:40:31 · answer #7 · answered by thugnchrist01 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question, I have feared sending in my pc for that very reason. not an answer though,
2006-09-30 10:38:58 · answer #8 · answered by Johnny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋