[adamm321]

Hi,

We took an old computer laptop to the computer repair shop. Our very first time ever going to one. Don't know the person there at all. He had to recover data from it for us and figure out what is wrong with it and if it is repairable. We had a new machine that we wanted the data transferred to, but we couldn't get the computer to work. So he was going to do a direct transfer until he saw we had an Apple to transfer to. He felt it would be a pain in the neck maybe? His face sort of fell when he saw it was an Apple. So he suggested he just transfer the data to a CD/DVD for us. Sounded right to us.

So he unscrewed the back of the machine and took out the hard drive, showed us a yellow sticker on it that he thought meant it was a refurbished part. It was our son's computer who had been at college and got it through their computer program that supported it.

So, that was that, we left if there and he said he would call. Well, this morning it suddenly occurred to me that maybe we should have asked him to copy the data and give us the dvd and the hard drive, while we waited. I did ask my son if there was anything on his hard drive that was sensitive information, but he couldn't remember because the machine had crashed a long time ago.

I am quite concerned and feeling pretty stupid. Although, the other thought I have is that he couldn't very well figure out what was wrong with the machine without the hard drive, which would have the operating system on it, correct?

So, is there anything someone can tell me that I should have done differently and is there anything I can do at this point?

Thanks
adam

[jonmcc33]

If the person at that shop is a professional they'd just back up all the data and hand it to you, no big deal. I've done this numerous times in the past myself for other people. One place I would not take it is to any Geek Squad. They are known to go through people's data all the time.

What that person really could have done was cut the BS, sell you an external USB enclosure for 2.5-inch hard drives for $20 and let you do all the work yourself. But then he wouldn't make any money off of you. That's all it really takes to pull data off of a laptop hard drive though.

I have one myself in the event that I ever need it.

[ccampton]

correct a small shop like that will not disclose data to anyone, so if you dont know him, then dont worry. i've seen things you wouldn't believe. and i believe he offered you the best advice as fas as putting it on a cd they cost 60 cents not 20$.

[adamm321]

No, I didn't explain that he charged me $75. to recover the data. And then another $50. to diagnose what is wrong with the machine before any repairs are even made.

[ccampton]

lol yea you'll have that... thats y ur here

[jonmcc33]

Originally Posted by adamm321

No, I didn't explain that he charged me $75. to recover the data. And then another $50. to diagnose what is wrong with the machine before any repairs are even made.

You could spend $10 + shipping on this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817146605

Then that would allow you to pull all of the data yourself.

As far as why the laptop won't work, what is it not doing? If it's not powering up it could be the battery, AC adapter, or motherboard. If you explain what is going on we can usually give the best advice here.

[adamm321]

Normally, I would attempt to get help to troubleshoot first, but this was one of our kid's machines. It was out of warranty when this problem started and was just put on the shelf for the past year. It was having intermittent problems and then the screen went black. When we took it to the repair shop, he plugged it in and it just started working. But after taking it home to give it a try, it started doing the same thing again.

So, I could not even answer questions on that machine and when I ask my child, they say 'I don't know'. [g]

[ccampton]

you could build a computer with the knowledge that is here, computers are simple, you just have to look at the pc yourself and be specific to us. form what i understand you had him look at it, cause it wouldn't turn on. he just plugged it in and it worked. you took it home and now it is doing the same thing again? is it running on batteries or A/C. My guess would be a bad A/C cord, or a dead battery. hope this helps if not come back with the specs.