I'm getting a free computer today!!

[MaggieD]

Whoot!!!!

I brought my Toshiba laptop in to Best Buy for service last week because the arrow keys, the z and the ? keys didn't work. I looked it up on the internet, and it seems to be a common problem. I called to see if my warranty I'd bought was still in effect, and it was good through July 10th or something like that. The only time I've cashed in on a computer warranty, by the way.

Anyhow, they called yesterday and told me they decided not to repair it, but that I could get a new one from them instead. Wow!!

I'm going to SEE if I can upgrade to a 17" monitor -- they're so nice. I'll find out later today.

BUT!! Here's the rub. Although I'd backed up all of my files before handing it over, they're still on my hard drive. My Quicken (my life) and my Passwords being the only ones I'm concerned about. They're password protected with a 14-character password, but I still don't like it. I'm going to try to get them to send me my hard drive back....??

I'll never turn my computer over to ANYONE AGAIN without deleting my files. Lesson learned. But who would have thought that a simple keyboard problem would result in, not a fix, but a trash?

 

[Helix]

my guess is that they'll wipe the hard drive, but yeah, i understand the worry. my laptop is password protected, but i still worry about some asshole breaking into my house and taking it. they'd get about fifteen bucks for it now since it's from 2010, but my entire photography portfolio is on that thing. probably time to do another backup; did one a while back to move the pics to another computer just in case.

 

[davidtaylorjr]

Whoot!!!!

I brought my Toshiba laptop in to Best Buy for service last week because the arrow keys, the z and the ? keys didn't work. I looked it up on the internet, and it seems to be a common problem. I called to see if my warranty I'd bought was still in effect, and it was good through July 10th or something like that. The only time I've cashed in on a computer warranty, by the way.

Anyhow, they called yesterday and told me they decided not to repair it, but that I could get a new one from them instead. Wow!!

I'm going to SEE if I can upgrade to a 17" monitor -- they're so nice. I'll find out later today.

BUT!! Here's the rub. Although I'd backed up all of my files before handing it over, they're still on my hard drive. My Quicken (my life) and my Passwords being the only ones I'm concerned about. They're password protected with a 14-character password, but I still don't like it. I'm going to try to get them to send me my hard drive back....??

I'll never turn my computer over to ANYONE AGAIN without deleting my files. Lesson learned. But who would have thought that a simple keyboard problem would result in, not a fix, but a trash?

If they are like Apple, they destroy the Hard Drive. However, that doesn't stop the technicians from getting the information.

 

[Middleground]

Golly, Mags, I hope they don't root through your questionable porn collection! :2razz:

 

[iliveonramen]

Golly, Mags, I hope they don't root through your questionable porn collection! :2razz:

Never know...if there are self pics on there the technicians might promise her free computers for life as long as she drops off the old ones with them.

 

[American]

Golly, Mags, I hope they don't root through your questionable porn collection! :2razz:

I hope they do. :mrgreen: And what's makes her collection questionable?

 

[PeteEU]

Whoot!!!!

I brought my Toshiba laptop in to Best Buy for service last week because the arrow keys, the z and the ? keys didn't work. I looked it up on the internet, and it seems to be a common problem. I called to see if my warranty I'd bought was still in effect, and it was good through July 10th or something like that. The only time I've cashed in on a computer warranty, by the way.

Anyhow, they called yesterday and told me they decided not to repair it, but that I could get a new one from them instead. Wow!!

I'm going to SEE if I can upgrade to a 17" monitor -- they're so nice. I'll find out later today.

BUT!! Here's the rub. Although I'd backed up all of my files before handing it over, they're still on my hard drive. My Quicken (my life) and my Passwords being the only ones I'm concerned about. They're password protected with a 14-character password, but I still don't like it. I'm going to try to get them to send me my hard drive back....??

I'll never turn my computer over to ANYONE AGAIN without deleting my files. Lesson learned. But who would have thought that a simple keyboard problem would result in, not a fix, but a trash?

I would go ask them to wipe the hard drive in front of you (not that hard) or ask for the drive it self. Why? Because I have experienced companies not doing it. A few years ago there was a mega scandal in Denmark where old computer harddrives from the Danish government were found in the scrapheap full of personal information. The private company hired to get rid of the computers had not done their jobs.

So .. off to Best Buy you go!

 

[PeteEU]

If they are like Apple, they destroy the Hard Drive. However, that doesn't stop the technicians from getting the information.

Claiming they destroy it, does not mean they actually destroy it.

 

[davidtaylorjr]

Claiming they destroy it, does not mean they actually destroy it.

Fair point, although I used to work for the company and know they destroyed them.

 

[rocket88]

Whoot!!!!

I brought my Toshiba laptop in to Best Buy for service last week because the arrow keys, the z and the ? keys didn't work. I looked it up on the internet, and it seems to be a common problem. I called to see if my warranty I'd bought was still in effect, and it was good through July 10th or something like that. The only time I've cashed in on a computer warranty, by the way.

Anyhow, they called yesterday and told me they decided not to repair it, but that I could get a new one from them instead. Wow!!

I'm going to SEE if I can upgrade to a 17" monitor -- they're so nice. I'll find out later today.

BUT!! Here's the rub. Although I'd backed up all of my files before handing it over, they're still on my hard drive. My Quicken (my life) and my Passwords being the only ones I'm concerned about. They're password protected with a 14-character password, but I still don't like it. I'm going to try to get them to send me my hard drive back....??

I'll never turn my computer over to ANYONE AGAIN without deleting my files. Lesson learned. But who would have thought that a simple keyboard problem would result in, not a fix, but a trash?

Never look a gift computer in the disk drive.

 

[shlunka]

I hate you.

 

[MaggieD]

I hate you.

I feel your pain. :rofl

 

[RabidAlpaca]

BUT!! Here's the rub. Although I'd backed up all of my files before handing it over, they're still on my hard drive.

Golly, Mags, I hope they don't root through your questionable porn collection! :2razz:

What are they going to do with a bunch of weird japanese midget foot porn?

 

[Middleground]

I hope they do. :mrgreen: And what's makes her collection questionable?

Apart from the few diaper wearing transgendered farm animals? :2razz:

 

[Middleground]

What are they going to do with a bunch of weird japanese midget foot porn?

That too? She's a sick puppy! :lol:

 

[Gina]

I would go ask them to wipe the hard drive in front of you (not that hard) or ask for the drive it self. Why? Because I have experienced companies not doing it. A few years ago there was a mega scandal in Denmark where old computer harddrives from the Danish government were found in the scrapheap full of personal information. The private company hired to get rid of the computers had not done their jobs.

So .. off to Best Buy you go!

This Mags! I would make the attempt to have them wipe it right there in front of you.

Technicians are human and curious, at the very least.

 

[MaggieD]

Update: So I went to Best Buy for more information. It seems my computer was sent to "the factory" for repair and "junked" there -- meaning they wrote it off and okayed a new replacement. I asked about the hard drive contents and was told by the manager that Best Buy's "law" is to first wipe the drive and then destroy it. That they could not send it back. So I made the decision to let it go. I mean, I know I could go nutzo over it, but I figured I'd just call attention to it by doing that...so I decided to chill. Anyhow, they (****!!!! The Enter Key doesn't work. Damn it!!) I'm stopping now to shoot myself. More later.

Okay, so now it works. Undo that shooting!!!!

Anyhow, they credited me with $400 -- what they said my old computer would cost new today -- and then offered me three selections at that price. They let me upgrade to a 17" screen -- which, thanks to a special deal they had starting on July 8th, only cost $430. What???? (They let me buy it today.) It has Windows 8 - I'd have preferred not to change, but I suppose the learning curve won't be too bad.

So, since I accidentally left my printer set-up disk in my DVD drive of the old one (yeah, I know, STOOOOPID!!!!), I was worried about configuring my printer. But HP lets you download the installation software free; so that's okay. I can re-download my Quicken, Picassa and Avast. The only bug is Microsoft Office. I can't find my original disk, so it's POSSIBLE I'll have to spend $139 to get that put back on...BUT the store gave me my old receipt with the Serial Number of the 2010 Office on it, so they tell me if I contact Microsoft and tell them the old disk was destroyed, they'll give me the key I need to activate the Office that's already installed on here for when it expires in 60 days. I'll work on that.

Anyhow, I have a few things to do, but I'm back in business. I think their service was beyond excellent.

 

[Helix]

Update: So I went to Best Buy for more information. It seems my computer was sent to "the factory" for repair and "junked" there -- meaning they wrote it off and okayed a new replacement. I asked about the hard drive contents and was told by the manager that Best Buy's "law" is to first wipe the drive and then destroy it. That they could not send it back. So I made the decision to let it go. I mean, I know I could go nutzo over it, but I figured I'd just call attention to it by doing that...so I decided to chill. Anyhow, they (****!!!! The Enter Key doesn't work. Damn it!!) I'm stopping now to shoot myself. More later.

Okay, so now it works. Undo that shooting!!!!

Anyhow, they credited me with $400 -- what they said my old computer would cost new today -- and then offered me three selections at that price. They let me upgrade to a 17" screen -- which, thanks to a special deal they had starting on July 8th, only cost $430. What???? (They let me buy it today.) It has Windows 8 - I'd have preferred not to change, but I suppose the learning curve won't be too bad.

So, since I accidentally left my printer set-up disk in my DVD drive of the old one (yeah, I know, STOOOOPID!!!!), I was worried about configuring my printer. But HP lets you download the installation software free; so that's okay. I can re-download my Quicken, Picassa and Avast. The only bug is Microsoft Office. I can't find my original disk, so it's POSSIBLE I'll have to spend $139 to get that put back on...BUT the store gave me my old receipt with the Serial Number of the 2010 Office on it, so they tell me if I contact Microsoft and tell them the old disk was destroyed, they'll give me the key I need to activate the Office that's already installed on here for when it expires in 60 days. I'll work on that.

Anyhow, I have a few things to do, but I'm back in business. I think their service was beyond excellent.

let me know what you think of W8. i'm not planning to upgrade, but my next machine will almost certainly be running that platform.

 

[MaggieD]

let me know what you think of W8. i'm not planning to upgrade, but my next machine will almost certainly be running that platform.

It's definitely going to have a learning curve, but right now? Whatever I clicked? Gave me a Windows 7 Platform. If it stays that way, I'll be a happy camper! Ha! (I'll post occasionally as my brain improves.)

Edit: I've already installed my wireless printer and talked to Microsoft. They'll only send the Key I need by mail after I FAX them a copy of my receipt, which Best Buy gave me today. There's a $24 handling change. Now I'm off to pick up Picassa and Avast.

 

[MMC]

Update: So I went to Best Buy for more information. It seems my computer was sent to "the factory" for repair and "junked" there -- meaning they wrote it off and okayed a new replacement. I asked about the hard drive contents and was told by the manager that Best Buy's "law" is to first wipe the drive and then destroy it. That they could not send it back. So I made the decision to let it go. I mean, I know I could go nutzo over it, but I figured I'd just call attention to it by doing that...so I decided to chill. Anyhow, they (****!!!! The Enter Key doesn't work. Damn it!!) I'm stopping now to shoot myself. More later.

Okay, so now it works. Undo that shooting!!!!

Anyhow, they credited me with $400 -- what they said my old computer would cost new today -- and then offered me three selections at that price. They let me upgrade to a 17" screen -- which, thanks to a special deal they had starting on July 8th, only cost $430. What???? (They let me buy it today.) It has Windows 8 - I'd have preferred not to change, but I suppose the learning curve won't be too bad.

So, since I accidentally left my printer set-up disk in my DVD drive of the old one (yeah, I know, STOOOOPID!!!!), I was worried about configuring my printer. But HP lets you download the installation software free; so that's okay. I can re-download my Quicken, Picassa and Avast. The only bug is Microsoft Office. I can't find my original disk, so it's POSSIBLE I'll have to spend $139 to get that put back on...BUT the store gave me my old receipt with the Serial Number of the 2010 Office on it, so they tell me if I contact Microsoft and tell them the old disk was destroyed, they'll give me the key I need to activate the Office that's already installed on here for when it expires in 60 days. I'll work on that.

Anyhow, I have a few things to do, but I'm back in business. I think their service was beyond excellent.

Congrats Maggie.....glad to see that stress removed off ya. I hate when **** happens with puters and tech.

Also Glad to know you're back.....



All my standard fees apply

.....but for you theres always one on the house.

 

[MaggieD]

I may be taking my new computer back. :rofl

I downloaded Quicken, Google Chrome, a game I owned from Gamehouse, Avast, reinstalled my wireless printer from a download on HP . . . (can't think of others) and installed my Quicken personal data from a backup. First, I still can't figure out how in the **** to shut down Windows 8 (my computer). I think I must be slow, since I have to search every time I do it. But that's neither here nor there. Suddenly, my computer is automatically shutting down showing me a frownie face and listing three files that are weird apparently -- including one that says dump. Jesus Mary Joseph.

So, this most recent time I booted up, I deleted my Quicken personal file and dumped it from the recycle bin, and then deleted every program I installed today except Quicken. It hasn't shut down. Whenever I opened to the Google search page, I saw ads on the bottom flashing their little brains out saying "not from this site" -- so I assume it's some crap that tagged along with my downloads. I think I've gotten rid of it all, but not sure. The computer seems to be functioning properly.

I called Best Buy and they told me I can return it tomorrow for a new one. I'm taking a bit of a wait-and-see attitude . . . thoughts?

 

[Green Balls]

They check the hard drive for errors first. If there are none, they erase it and re-image it, then sell the laptop as a refurbished model. Otherwise they toss the hard drive and put a new one in.

 

[Green Balls]

Ha! guess I was a bit late on all that is going on. My first thought is you have some sort of malware or virus on your laptop.

 

[MMC]

I may be taking my new computer back. :rofl

I downloaded Quicken, Google Chrome, a game I owned from Gamehouse, Avast, reinstalled my wireless printer from a download on HP . . . (can't think of others) and installed my Quicken personal data from a backup. First, I still can't figure out how in the **** to shut down Windows 8 (my computer). I think I must be slow, since I have to search every time I do it. But that's neither here nor there. Suddenly, my computer is automatically shutting down showing me a frownie face and listing three files that are weird apparently -- including one that says dump. Jesus Mary Joseph.

So, this most recent time I booted up, I deleted my Quicken personal file and dumped it from the recycle bin, and then deleted every program I installed today except Quicken. It hasn't shut down. Whenever I opened to the Google search page, I saw ads on the bottom flashing their little brains out saying "not from this site" -- so I assume it's some crap that tagged along with my downloads. I think I've gotten rid of it all, but not sure. The computer seems to be functioning properly.

I called Best Buy and they told me I can return it tomorrow for a new one. I'm taking a bit of a wait-and-see attitude . . . thoughts?

.....

 

[PeteEU]

Fair point, although I used to work for the company and know they destroyed them.

Well there has been quite a bit of investigations and leaks about what actually happens at Apple stores... employees selling or using items that the official rules state as defective and so on.