computer repair, password needed?

[tackdriver]

When you take your computer in for repair (Spilled soda on laptop) does the tech need your password or can they make repairs without it? I suppose someone who knows computers probably can gain access to your stuff once he's inside, no? I got some sensitive (no not porno) stuff on it.

thx

[HecklerNKoch]

Remove the hard drive. It's not necessary that it be there for the repair as you describe it. Will be a quick removal.

[Skip_Dog]

It is easier to get in with your password, but not needed. If he gets in, he can see anything you have on the HD. There are many ways to gain access to a computer, all of them will have full access....

[HecklerNKoch]

I doubt your drive is encrypted. Yes, a novice can access all your data.

[Skip_Dog]

Roger. Yes remove HD.

[Skip_Dog]

You can replace the keyboard your self. Watch a few youtube videos and order the parts...

[tackdriver]

Thanks everyone. An hour after I posted the computer actually started to make a "sizzling" noise, even though it was off. I wish I had pulled the battery after it happened. I am sure the unit is now "fried". Amazing how a 25c can of soda can destroy a $800 computer... Off to Costco I guess...

[billofrights]

Wine or soda is the absolute worst thing you can spill on your laptop, far worse than water. The sugars in them are conductive, so even if it dries without damaging anything the next time you turn it on the sugar will bridge some of the circuits and short it out.

Future reference: if you spill, IMMEDIATELY shut it off, by pulling the cord if necessary (desktop) or removing the battery. Lapop, flip it over so that the open keyboard is facing down, so the liquid doesn't seep down into the machine any more.

[lazyworm]

soda is acidic, you want it out asap before the corrosion starts.

[Jscanlan]

Security

There are two ways to secure data.

1) have it on removable media - external drive, flash drive, DVD disk.
2) encrypted folders.

Almost any tech can access your data when they work on your machine. They do need to confirm the replacement parts are working properly. I had a laptop that I could not get new keyboards to work on. Therefore, either remove the data or encrypt.

[MrBlazito]

sizzling sound? might be just your battery cooking. take the battery out and try to power on with AC adapter.

[ocabj]

Full disk encryption. This should pretty much be a requirement for any laptop.

[Dragunov]

Full disk encryption. This should pretty much be a requirement for any laptop.

Not sure if I agree, or disagree with this.

[SanDiego619]

I wouldn't leave a computer with sensitive information on it in the hands of anyone. If I had to get something repaired I'd pull the hard drive out. If they required the drive to be inserted I'd pull it, copy all the important stuff, and wipe it before turning it over for repair.

I hope the sizzle didn't sizzle your data... it probably didn't.

[stilly]

damn straight.

Did I ever tell the story about how I watched a grandpa get raped at Staples by their IT jerk because he did not know his password?

Yeah I would certainly remove the hard drive before dropping anything off at ANY store unless I knew the guy working on it and he was good with me. But then again, I do all of my work.