Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Should I wipe my data before sending my computer for repair?

Oct 18, 2015 4:49PM PDT

Hello!
I'm about to send my laptop back to Asus to get it repaired using the warranty. I've already created images of my drives, but should I wipe them before sending it or is the password sufficient for it to be safe?
This data is not particularly sensitive, mostly personnal photos and work I've done, as long as passwords saved in chrome. I guess I shouldn't worry about that, should I? Especially since my windows account is password protected.
Thank you for your help! Have a good one.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
The main thing is backup. I don't think I'd worry about it.
Oct 18, 2015 6:11PM PDT

They could well restore your computer to factory settings, that would be the main thing that would concern ME. On one of my desktops I have all my financial records, so I would delete that, but if you don't have that concern, it shouldn't be a problem.
`
Good luck.

- Collapse -
So does the windows password actually protect your data?
Oct 19, 2015 2:45AM PDT

What if you take the hard drive and plug it into another computer? Will it still ask for a password, since you already logged in on this computer?

- Collapse -
Answer
Backup of all personal Data,Remove all personal stuff.
Oct 19, 2015 3:42AM PDT

Dear A-Nor-Yme,

If you have taken back up of all data, its better to delete Photos and mainly your passwords stored in Chrome. Incase if some one tries to misuse it, the problem will be for you only. and am sure they would have suggested to take back up of data, most of the time there is a chance they might restore the OS, so all your data might go missing. So please make sure you have taken back up of all important stuffs and password are also cleared. You can use application like Evernote to store your passwords and other important stuff.

- Collapse -
Answer
Simply no to the password question.
Oct 19, 2015 9:00AM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
dban
Oct 19, 2015 9:19AM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
Sure!
Oct 21, 2015 6:08AM PDT

You'd better do that or just save it on another drive (hard or flash).
Smth may go wrong while repairing and you'll lose your data.

- Collapse -
Answer
What I would do id contact Asus.
Oct 21, 2015 11:03AM PDT

In the past I've purchased SAGER laptops and they told me to remove the drive when I sent it back for repairs as they would use their own to boot the machine. No when sent the Acer back for warranty work I asked they said it must be shipped with the HD. Now I did purchase the system from Newegg and the warranty was from a 3rd party and not sure if this is the same situation. But bottomline contact Asus and they will explain how to send.