Pls Help: Dell have lost my old hard drive

mkbswimstar

I did safeguard the data until they took it away in error. The chap even discussed getting a caddy to put the old hardrive in and reload it. So my data was safe had he not walked off with it. I do have an external HD but hadnt been able to save the 500 photos as my laptop crashed!
Still no luck with finding it.
Thank you for the mention on the memory card, i havent used it since, but did delete the files when i uploaded them. I will see if they can be saved.

JasX

mkbswimstar wrote: »

I did safeguard the data

I would suggest going and reading up on good practices for backing up your data...

I'd suggest
-Transferring all your data onto one hard disk on a machine with a history of failures.
-deleting all the originals so the only copy is on said suspect machine
-giving that machine to 3rd party for intrusive repair/upgrade work to be done without removing the hard disk so the only copy is completly out of your control

won't fit the description of basic good practice

You might get lucky and the original disk will show up.

You might get lucky the memory card too.

Failing that hopefully you've learnt about making backups and a few general do's and don'ts for next time.....

DVardysShadow

JasX wrote: »

A HD which they will replace, they wern't contracted to safeguard user data being a hardware job, they would quite reasonable expect that to be down to the user/customer.

Only if they had left it with the OP. They had no right to take it away. Until and unless they return the hard drive any discussion about OP safeguarding the data is a complete red herring.

The disk is the OP's property and they walked off with it. The arguments about the OP being responsible for securing data only come into play if they had left the drive with OP. I think OP does accept the risk in the data if the drive had been left with him.

JasX

One word, Fungible

Also here is the dell depot repair service agreement the OP signed up for

http://www.dell.com/downloads/ap/services/ServicesAgreement/22.pdf

Customer’s Responsibilities:
In the event a problem occurs, the customer should call Dell Technical Support at the designated toll-free
Technical Support number on your Dell invoice.

A. Prior to calling Dell, the customer should have the following information available:
1. The system service tag number
2. Model type/numbers for the system

B. While on the phone with Dell, the customer should:
1. Participate in the problem isolation process by follow the basic diagnostic steps requested by Dell
technical support.

C. Prepare the system for delivery to Dell:
1. Complete a backup of all existing data and programs on affected systems. Dell will have no liability for loss or recovery of data or programs.
2. Remove all sensitive / private data stored on the system
3. Ensure system is packed appropriately to minimize damage during the shipment process.

no only ifs, buts, or any other nonsense

weegie.geek

Dell sent a guy out to replace the hard drive. So the hard drive was faulty in some way. In these cases it's normal for the tech to take the broken drive away to be repaired or disposed of. It's unsurprising that he absent-mindedly took it away, because that's what he should have done in 99% of cases. Yeah, you reminded him to leave it but he had a brainfart and took it anyway. If it was so important I'd have made sure it was still there, and put somewhere safe, before he left, but that's just me.

DVardysShadow

JasX wrote: »

One word, Fungible

Also here is the dell depot repair service agreement the OP signed up for

http://www.dell.com/downloads/ap/services/ServicesAgreement/22.pdf

no only ifs, buts, or any other nonsense

Except it was a customer's premises repair.

JasX

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Except it was a customer's premises repair.

oh, sry.

that'll be this document then

http://www.dell.com/downloads/emea/services/uk/en/in_home_service_sow_uk.pdf

Customer Obligations
In order to enable Dell to carry out its support obligations the customer without limitation should:
• Provide the tag/serial number of the system for which the enquiry is being made
• Provide all and any information requested by the Dell Technician to assist in the diagnosis
• Provide Dell with full, safe and prompt access to the products.
• Where possible, provide a technically competent person with knowledge of the system and fault to be
available at the customer location to receive engineer(s) with the part(s) for the duration of the time slot
i.e. the customer will need to be available when the engineer arrives throughout the duration of the
engineers’ visit so this could mean customer needs to be there beyond the time specified in the time
slot.
• If unable to attend the time slot, call Dell back to book a new appointment within the Day+2 to Day+5
timeframe, after completion of telephone-based troubleshooting.
• Ensure the system is in an easily accessible location with adequate space, health and safety
conditions.
• Make available to Dell, free of charge, all facilities and services reasonably required by Dell to enable
Dell properly to provide the services.
• Provide such telecommunication facilities as are reasonably required by Dell for the performance of its
obligations and for any other testing, diagnostic and remedial purposes at the customer's expense.
• Keep full security copies of any software and data in accordance with best computing practice and in
any case before requesting Services from Dell.
• Acknowledge that they are responsible for recovering their own application software after any such
Services have been provided.
• Inform Dell of any system relocations.
• Any other actions that Dell may reasonably request in order to best perform the service.

and

Customer Data & Data Loss
Dell recommends regular backup of data. In cases where a hard drive failure is detected, the hard drive will be
replaced. Customer data stored on the defective hard drive will be lost if the hard drive is replaced. The service
engineer will configure the operating system to the original factory settings only if the customer makes the
original software image or operating system installation media available. The customer should contact Dell
Technical Support for assistance in reinstalling any additional software provided on the original factory image.
Data Loss: the customer is responsible for the security, backup & reinstallation of their data at all times. Dell
accepts no liability for loss of software and data.

Nothing unusual or unreasonable there :A

DVardysShadow

JasX wrote: »

Nothing unusual or unreasonable there :A

Except for "Dell
accepts no liability for loss of software and data" This is totally unreasonable when Dell walk away with the media. In these circumstances it is an unfair exclusion clause.

Hammyman

mkbswimstar wrote: »

Surely if they take hardrives they should be able to trace them? My biggest concern is who has access to my childrens photos. Then my next concern is that I have now lost those photos for good.

1) Your kids can be seen in the street so unless you've got photos of them stark bollock naked, does it really matter?

2) Obviously your concern about losing them was so little that copying them to a DVD was too much hassle.

Hammyman

CashStrappedTeen89 wrote: »

I dont have the type of money to afford a NAS, SAN or other preventative measures.

Windows Live Skydrive - 25GB
Photobucket....