HP wiped my hard drive

jammin_2

So my laptop went to HP for a warranty repair (faulty fan / heatsink). I told them specifically that the fault is not software related, and that I had reinstalled the OS a couple of times already. Windows was passworded and I offered the password to them in case they need to test.

It came back within a couple of days, fan and heatsink replaced. Great. But they'd also wiped my hard drive and reinstalled the OS (HP image, bloatware included).

Why did they do this pointless act without asking me? I was not advised at any time prior to the repair that my hard drive data was at risk. I've emailed HP, not reply yet.

JasX

Data is ALWAYS the users responsibility to have backed up and its in the Ts and Cs of every laptop repair company.

Especially warranty repair ones who usually reserve the right to just send you a substitute machine and junk the one you send in in any case.

Just restore from your backup you took before sending it off and get over it. If you didn't bother to take a backup your data is gone and again its what you should have expected and nobody to blame but yourself.

*Kat*

I'm sure on their terms and conditions somewhere it says about backing up the hard drive because they may need to wipe it? I thought it was pretty norm for most repair places?

HoofeHearted

I suspect that, somewhere in the small print, they say that they are not responsible for any loss of data. However, I agree that, if it was unnecessary to wipe the disk, then why did they do it?

JasX

lol checked and it seems pretty clear in bold block capitals in HPs warranty information, knew it would be.

http://h40059.www4.hp.com/warranty/support/tc.php

HP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF ANY PROGRAMS, DATA, OR REMOVABLE STORAGE MEDIA. HP IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESTORATION OR REINSTALLATION OF ANY PROGRAMS OR DATA OTHER THAN SOFTWARE INSTALLED BY HP WHEN THE PRODUCT IS MANUFACTURED.
Before returning any unit for service, be sure to back up data and remove any confidential, proprietary, or personal information..

boxst

Unfortunately HP receive hundreds if not thousands of things for repair everyday. And they just test it, replace the bits, wipe it and ship it out.

They don't have time to mess around with special procedures per customer.

dg1dd1ngs_2

:beer: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

jammin_2

HoofeHearted wrote: »

I suspect that, somewhere in the small print, they say that they are not responsible for any loss of data.

I certainly wasn't advised of this. The hard drive wasn't in question so they shouldn't really have touched it at all.

HoofeHearted wrote: »

However, I agree that, if it was unnecessary to wipe the disk, then why did they do it?

That's what I'm trying to find out from them.

boxst wrote: »

Unfortunately HP receive hundreds if not thousands of things for repair everyday. And they just test it, replace the bits, wipe it and ship it out.

Why wipe it?

boxst wrote: »

They don't have time to mess around with special procedures per customer.

No special procedure, simply fix the faulty fan and heatsink.

*Kat*

But...they'll have some kind of process they have to follow, regardless of what you say is wrong with it, you know? You're being mean, which is not nice! People are giving you their opinion and you're being rude to them.

boxst

I know you are quite upset, but it really is just standard procedure. If they 'bed in' the new components they just want to have a standard disk image that they can boot and leave to run. The nature of large companies.

Did you even get back the same computer?

jammin_2

*Kat* wrote: »

But...they'll have some kind of process they have to follow, regardless of what you say is wrong with it, you know? You're being mean, which is not nice! People are giving you their opinion and you're being rude to them.

They may well have a process, you're right. They should have let me know, that's all.

Mean? Me? You're referring to the mod pic? Ah come on, that pic is classic Jas. I've seen his type before - gets excited at someone else's misfortune. Goes googling for more, so he can "lol"..