Question What to do before repairing pc?

[smalltech]

Hi,

If my PC becomes faulty and I am unable to login to Windows 10, when I send it to the repairman, how to prevent the repairman from accessing my data? Usually the repairman will need a few days to repair and ask for my Windows login password. I guess the repairman could see the files in Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads...etc and he can also open the chrome browser to access any accounts that are already logged in (e.g. gmail, facebook...), what else can he see?

Q1. If I am preparing for the day PC is faulty that I cannot login to Windows 10 (e.g. unable to power on, black screen, stuck at starting win logo etc.) and need to send PC to a repairman, what steps do you do in advance to prevent repairman from accessing your data?

Q2. Is it possible to login windows without password?

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

"If".....

This depends on exactly how the system is "broken".

If a non drive problem, remove the drive(s), and send it to be fixed.
If it IS a drive problem, replace the drive(s) yourself, and recover the data and system from your backup.

 

[smalltech]

"If".....

This depends on exactly how the system is "broken".

If a non drive problem, remove the drive(s), and send it to be fixed.
If it IS a drive problem, replace the drive(s) yourself, and recover the data and system from your backup.

To simplify, I do not know what is the problem, during the day it is faulty these are the things that happen 1. PC unable to login to windows, 2. PC needs to be sent to repairman and the user needs to provide login password to repairman.
What to do in advance daily before the day PC is faulty so even if repairman login to windows there is no "danger"?
I wonder does anyone logout of all accounts in browser everyday and relogin everyday or maybe do something that I do not know.

 

[Lafong]

How sensitive is this info?

Suppose you think you have a way to prevent the repairman from accessing your data.

Would you believe it worked and that he in fact DID NOT access your data?

Or would you still be worried afterwards?

The only way to be sure beyond a doubt is to simply remove the drive before taking the PC to the repairman and ask him to evaluate the PC minus the drive. Don't give him the chance to look at your data.

You might then have to reinstall Windows after he returns it to you if the hardware is in good shape.

 

[USAFRet]

PC needs to be sent to repairman and the user needs to provide login password to repairman.

The repair person should never ever need your log in details. Your username/password.
At all.

 

[smalltech]

A. Does a PC needs a hard disk (without windows installed) so the repairman can do the testing/repair etc? What happens when you switch on a PC without windows installed?
B. Can a repairman test/repair if the PC do not have a hard disk installed inside the PC?

 

[Lafong]

PCs can use operating systems other than Windows.

PCs can boot from drives that are not hard drives.

A competent repair man with proper equipment can evaluate hardware without Windows, but we have no idea about the competence of your repair man.

Your hard drive and all of your hardware may be OK. A clean Windows installation may solve all of your problems. Or not.

Are you unable or unwilling to reinstall Windows yourself?

 

[boju]

Service technicians will have, or rather should have if they know what they're doing, their own drives with Windows or boot some other OS like linux to test hardware.

If they ask for login details then you go somewhere else.

 

[JeffreyP55]

Hi,

If my PC becomes faulty and I am unable to login to Windows 10, when I send it to the repairman, how to prevent the repairman from accessing my data? Usually the repairman will need a few days to repair and ask for my Windows login password. I guess the repairman could see the files in Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads...etc and he can also open the chrome browser to access any accounts that are already logged in (e.g. gmail, facebook...), what else can he see?

Q1. If I am preparing for the day PC is faulty that I cannot login to Windows 10 (e.g. unable to power on, black screen, stuck at starting win logo etc.) and need to send PC to a repairman, what steps do you do in advance to prevent repairman from accessing your data?

Q2. Is it possible to login windows without password?

Thanks

Research everything you can before doing anything. Too many folks on this board have plunked down huge Duckets when they have had zero experience in PC assembly and trouble shooting. Then they come here after the fact. Only after they realize their new build is not booting. "But the fans and LED's come on" which means means nothing except the 5v and 12v power rails seem to be working.