Dinkledorfer
west jordan,#2Consumer Comment
Fri, January 18, 2013
Any good repair shop can reinstall the original OS and they DON'T need your disks..... only your license number on the sticker. Why do you think Dell reinstallation disks are so popular? Because you can load the version of windows needed and at the end of the install, use the owners original number. You have XP Pro, they use a Dell XP pro CD and your XP key. Works like a charm! As to the data....... a good shop will backup data before starting work on your machine. It is a safety measure! (If you operate this way....) Yes, the customer needs to be asked if they want to keep their data, and that an additional charge will be added. That gives the customer the "option". You NEVER, EVER destroy the data without talking to the customer first. I do not do any work on a customers PC without doing a backup. When the machine is reloaded, I copy the data back over to it. It's called putting service first! Yes, I could charge for this but have found I get a lot of repeat business and referrals by doing extra to insure my customer gets the best quality service.
sdcassoc
Bloomington,#3UPDATE Employee
Sun, November 18, 2012
it is standard practice to reinstall the operating system that the pc is shipped with UNLESS you provide the OS disk. That is covered in the terms and conditions that you sign before any service is done. it is also standard to note in the terms that ALL DATA ON THE PC WILL BE ERASED UNLESS A BACKUP IS REQUESTED. A backup service is an added fee, and must be requested before the service is started. by signing the terms of service, you agreed to both of these things. Next time, read something before you sign it.
monalisamisc
Wichita,#4Author of original report
Thu, September 15, 2011
First of all, Office Depot tech put in a new Op Sys, the same as he thought we had before. It was their program/disc. He said we could use our key code. I didn't realize he put in the wrong one till I got it home and our key code didn't work. NOTHING WAS PIRATED. He did NOT say anything about erasing or risking erasing the backup by putting in a new Op Sys. You're telling what should have been done. It was not. Did the agreement give them an 'out?' Of course! The tech was convincing that he knew what he was doing. Email from store did not indicate refund. Bottom line, we were out the $120 and still had no computer.
MRamos
Brooklyn,#5Consumer Comment
Thu, September 15, 2011
Having worked retail computer repairs it's generally policy that unless the customer gives you the disks/coa for their upgraded OS you put back on whatever the COA on the case says. For all he knew it was a pirated copy you had on there. Also I'm sure they asked you if you wanted your data backed up and I'm sure you declined assuming for an operating system install they wouldn't have to erase anything. Sadly you assumed wrong, its generally standard procedure to back up the data, format the drive, and then transfer the data back over. The backup comes with an extra cost and if the customer declines pretty much any shop I've been to forces you to sign an agreement that you understand you may/will lose all your date if you refuse the backup service.