Ubuntu erased, XP installed without permission

[zombifier25]

Since I don't see any ranting thread, so
RANT ALERT

About a week ago, my Ubuntu-running IBM ThinkPad's VGA card broke down. Everything else is working fine, but after starting the comp about 5 minutes then the monitor would die and the TTY would spew all sort of errors.

So, I took it for repair and they told me it is indeed a problem with the VGA card. A week later, the laptop came home, but - let me emphasize, the error has nothing to do with the drive - THEY FREAKING ERASED THE ENTIRE DRIVE AND SLAPPED XP ON IT. All my files - puff, gone. The worst part is that they didn't even bother to install the drivers, which means my ThinkPad can't use WiFi. I wanted to type this with rage right now, but I'm using a laptop whose right half of the keyboard is damaged, so I'm using the onscreen keyboard to type each and every character. Dangit.

END RANT. THANK YOU FOR READING

[Erik1984]

I guess you had a backup of most important files? It still sucks, they probably thought that weird Ubuntu thing was a virus and fixed it for you. What a great service... ;)

[Jakin]

I would take issue with professional repair, blanking my HDD of sensitive data, too.
You didn't send it in for that- just a hardware replacment.
Even if XP was needed for the repair, they could have used a spare HDD, do what they had to do, and put back your HDD with your files back in.

[szymon_g]

well- next time you will take out hdd before giving it to service.
in thinkpads, its a matter of unsrewing one screw.

[ALinuxWindowsBalance]

When in anger, complain.

[Gster4]

they probably thought that weird Ubuntu thing was a virus and fixed it for you. What a great service... ;)

XP is the virus.

[mips]

This is standard operating procedure as far as I'm aware when computers go to the service centre.

[DarkAmbient]

Since I don't see any ranting thread, so
RANT ALERT

About a week ago, my Ubuntu-running IBM ThinkPad's VGA card broke down. Everything else is working fine, but after starting the comp about 5 minutes then the monitor would die and the TTY would spew all sort of errors.

So, I took it for repair and they told me it is indeed a problem with the VGA card. A week later, the laptop came home, but - let me emphasize, the error has nothing to do with the drive - THEY FREAKING ERASED THE ENTIRE DRIVE AND SLAPPED XP ON IT. All my files - puff, gone. The worst part is that they didn't even bother to install the drivers, which means my ThinkPad can't use WiFi. I wanted to type this with rage right now, but I'm using a laptop whose right half of the keyboard is damaged, so I'm using the onscreen keyboard to type each and every character. Dangit.

END RANT. THANK YOU FOR READING

The software they use when testing hardware-components is probably for Windows. Not that it makes this more OK, I've experienced something similar as you in the past, it sucks.

[jerome1232]

This is standard operating procedure as far as I'm aware when computers go to the service centre.

Even so, I would rant and rave until they shoved my nose into the fine print to show me where it says they can do that and they would have to have security escort me out.

[CharlesA]

This is standard operating procedure as far as I'm aware when computers go to the service centre.

That has been my experience from looking at different places (and having a laptop serviced by HP).


Even so, I would rant and rave until they shoved my nose into the fine print to show me where it says they can do that and they would have to have security escort me out.

+1. Before taking a machine in for repair always make a backup, even if that involved pulling the hard drive out and cloning it.

When I used to do computer repair, I had a nice set of terms that said the customer was responsible for backing up their data, most of the people I helped didn't even read the ToS and just signed it. :confused:

[screaminj3sus]

This is standard operating procedure as far as I'm aware when computers go to the service centre.

This. You should always either back up your data or remove the drive (or both) when sending a computer in for repair. The service techs are generally only trained with windows, and only support windows so this isn't surprising to me.

[Swagman]

So you now have an illegal install of Windows XP ?

[doja]

Wait a week
I'm sure you will get the bill from Microsoft for the XP license. :-D

I'm sorry for the lost of your data.

[madverb]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

[lisati]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

:lolflag:

[CharlesA]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.
I'd do that, but verify it is indeed a pirated copy (which is likely, if you didn't get a CoA or anything else with it...)

[monkeybrain2012]

Wow! Very unprofessional. Did you demand an explanation? What was the excuse?

[Dr. C]

I would contact Microsoft and report the company for installing pirated copies. I would also be contacting any local consumer complaints department.
I don't think you are angry enough about this.

https://reporting.bsa.org

[Paqman]

So you now have an illegal install of Windows XP ?

Not necessarily, a lot of machines have the license sticker stuck to them. It's not the actual disk you pay for with Windows, it's the license, which in the case of an OEM license stays with the machine.

However, it was unprofessional of the repairer to wipe it without warning that they would do so. Check that it's not buried in some fine print somewhere before complaining.

[Jakin]

I still think a professional repair, they ought to use their own HDD if they needed winXP, the OP did not complain about a software issue (right?) That doesn't give them right to blank personal data, just because they believe it to be best.
I could see if complaining about the software.

I guess as someone had said- next time, keep your HDD. But it shouldn't come to that! Just like you don't expect them to hack your HDD, for any information, you don't expect them to bog any OS you use with company malware just because they "believe" it is best.

[CharlesA]

Not necessarily, a lot of machines have the license sticker stuck to them. It's not the actual disk you pay for with Windows, it's the license, which in the case of an OEM license stays with the machine.

Good point.


However, it was unprofessional of the repairer to wipe it without warning that they would do so. Check that it's not buried in some fine print somewhere before complaining.

Agreed. There is probably one of those 'cover our assets' clauses in their terms.

[neu5eeCh]

Even so, I would rant and rave until they shoved my nose into the fine print to show me where it says they can do that and they would have to have security escort me out.

+1

And you just know those guys were laughing their butts off.

Here's how it went:

Dude 1: Dude, check it out. This bonehead uses Linsucks.
Dude 2: He left his hard drive in there?
Dude 1: Yeah. What a bonehead. Check it out.
Dude 2: Oh, Dude, you gotta' mess with him.
Dude 1: Yeah, I mean, after all, I gotta' check the card works, right?
Dude 2: [Calling to Fred at the front desk.] Hey Fred! We got a Linsucks back here!
Fred: Really. Oh man, wait, wait, wait! Do we have Windows 3.1?
Dude 1: No man; but Dude, I gotta' DOS disk.
Dude 2: No, no, no. Windows ME, man.
Fred: Vista.
Dude 2: No, trust me man, there's nothin' these freaks hate more than ME.
Dude 1: No. XP. Dude, this is priceless.
Dude 2: Right, I mean. It says it right here in the fine print. What's he gonna' do?
Fred: I want to do it.
Dude 1: OK, but if I let you do it, you gotta' give me your first born.
Fred: Yeah. Deal.
Dude 2: Hey, you wanna' watch Ubuntu Forums tonight?
Fred: Totally. I'll order the pizza.
Dude 1: I'll bring the Bud.

[XP Install Screen Pops Up.]

Dude 1: Let's all three hit Enter at the same time. Ready? Oh yeah... it's the blue install screen o'Death, man!
Dude 2: Just warms the cockles of my heart.
Fred: I got tears in my eyes.

[zombifier25]

Ha, thanks for all the responses so far. I did make a backup of some files I deemed important some time ago, but it's not like I know precisely when it will break. Also, the machine did originally came with XP, and the sticker that has the product key is still there, so it's not pirated.

It's not that I could do anything about it though. I can't exactly remove the drive myself, and my mother took it to the repair, so I guess she did not read the disclaimer. And all this happened during the midterm exams.
Still, I got a good lesson from all this. A painful one, but it is a lesson.

[ciphoenix]

always backup before sending for repairs. Those guys could be annoying. Imagine mine returning with a 32bit win 7 that expires in 18 days. Was furious

[doja]

Did I miss the name and place of this professional repair in this discussion?

Just in case I need professional help.

[HermanAB]

Removing a HDD from a laptop machine requires loosening about 1 little screw. Figuring out how to do that before sending a machine for repair - priceless...

[nerdopolis]

Removing a HDD from a laptop machine requires loosening about 1 little screw. Figuring out how to do that before sending a machine for repair - priceless...

Not with the Dell Inspirion N5050... They made it so you have to open up the entire thing to be able to replace the hard drive...

[Warpnow]

I would not be surprised if the would send it back if it didn't have a hard drive. They're not going to replace parts without verifying they're needed, and they do that with windows based software. They'd probably call you and offer to sell you a hard drive is my thought.