What would you do if you?

[ChantelleCD]

Ok so.... I have a dilemma. This probably wont be a great deal for a large proportion of you but what do you think?

My Macbook has just conked out, I've only had it for 10 months so its still under warranty. I need to take it back to the store for them to take a look at it, HOWEVER... all my pics are on my desktop. So once/if they get it working, I'm outed to some random people in an Apple store. I know this wont be an issue to a lot of you peeps out the closet and who are happy to walk around in the shops during the day. But for me, to say the least am pooing myself at the prospect of walking into a shop with more or less everybody knowing my private life! Errrrr what shall I do? Take it to the shop and enjoy the embarrassment as its likely to turn out that way or live a life without my Macbook Pro??
Heeelllpppp!!

Chantelle X

[BRANDYJ]

I would feel just like you. So what I would do is copy all pictures or other very personal and private things to a removable media. That is IF my notebook is able to boot up to access those files and pictures. But if it won't boot at all, then I guess I'd have to take it in and hope they don't snoop. But if they did, they probably have already seen it all. I'd have to trust that they will respect my privacy and not say a word to even me.

[Mary Morgan]

I'd worry less about who sees my photos at the Mac store, and be more concerned with losing them if they clear the memory of your device.

[GG Kathy]

I have to agree with Mary on that one. Besides a lot of places send the work out. The people in the store may never even see the "inside" of your computer.

[DJBelhaden]

I understand your feelings: getting outed could have very serious consequences to your life. But I don't think you have to worry, because the technicians don't have time to snoop. They need to get your computer fixed and out because there's another right behind it. Also, they have their own interests, and they're not interested in you.

But if you're not reassured, you can always take the machine to another shop, in another city, or another neighborhood.

Enjoy our hobby!

DJ

[Roberta Marie]

I really doubt if you have anything to worry about. I suspect that the techs are so busy that they will not take the time to see what is on your computer, other than perhaps a scan to find any corrupted files that might be causing the problem. And if they should come across any pictures, I seriously doubt that they care, unless they contain children. Child pornography they would probably report to authorities, but adult men dressed in women's clothes, they would not blink an eye to. They've probably had machines with much more graphic porn come across their bench.

I think that those of us in the closet worry about things that are not worth worrying about. Once we come out of the closet, one of the great lessons that we learn is that most people could care less about how we dress.

Just my opinion.

[Gina X]

There is a piece of equipment I'm not sure what it's called that allows you to take the HD out of your computer and save the contents to another computer then you can wipe the HD and put it back in the faulty machine. Tricky I know and you need to be a bit of a Teckie to do it. The other thing that comes to mind is if it is a power problem, pattern power supplies are available very cheaply on E-bay, my son just bought a brand new one under G'tee for his Samsung laptop for £5.50 inc post which isn't too bad, The other very long shot is to find a CD compuer engineer locally and see if they could help.I hope some of this is of use to you................

[DebsUK]

It does depend on what's wrong with your computer (and I'm no expert, expecially with Macs), but are you able to use a boot disc to start it up? Is the problem the monitor so you might be able to connect it to an external monitor and manipulate the files? Are you able to borrow anthe computer and share the files?

The worst case scenario, you take it to the Apple Store, they see your pictures. What then? OK, you may be a little embarassed collecting your newly repaired machine, but do you know anyone there? I know they will know someone who knows someone who maybe knows you (the old 5 degrees of separation thing), but at the very worst it would get back to someone as "We had this guy brought his computer in and it had loads of pics with him dressed as a woman!". Even if they find their way online somehow, who cares? You aren't doing anything illegal, immoral or fattening (unlike, say, Gary Glitter) and will anyone really know it's you under the makeup and dresses? The pics wouldn't end up in the New of the World, OK, Hello or even Carp Fishing Today. And if anything did happen you'd have a very good case against the store and might be able to take them to the cleaners

[Misty G]

Mostly they only want to fix the computer. i personally would fix it myself as I have done many times. I have been known to work on friends computers and never snoop. I only snooped one time and it was my step daughters and probably saw things I wasn't supposed to but I kept it to myself.

[MarcyRex]

As a former Sysadmin and PC repair person, I'd have to agree that we see many electronic footprints that provide insights into the user. Professional and/or experienced techies don't really care except if it crosses the legal line of mandatory reporting, ie child porn. What I have done in the past, is for those customers who are obviously embarrassed, concerned and ask for discretion I provide reassurance, quick lesson on privacy settings and recommendation for software anon proxies.
The first couple of times it was chuckling and a couple of OMGs I didn't know that about that person, but seeing how common the sex drive is and diverse in the variety, I don't bother anymore unless formally tasked to investigate.

[msniki48]

The way i see it Chantelle....you don'y look anything like that model in the computer in male mode...so you take pics of an aspiring model!

Based on the avatar

[LitaKelley]

What it boils down to really is this.. What's more important to you.. Having your Mac back up and running, or your "secret" remaining a "secret".... Yes, maybe some random strangers might see something, but don't fret.. you'll probably never even see these people ever again, unless of course you frequent this apple store often

[joannemarie barker]

well if they're pics of you Chantelle they'll probably think the pics are of your gf

[Breannah]

well if they're pics of you Chantelle they'll probably think the pics are of your gf

Id completely agree, You not only look 100% passable in ur pic, you look damn hot!

[Ressie]

If you give more details of what is wrong with the macbook maybe someone can help you get it working long enough to back up your files. What happens when you attempt to boot?

[Christie ann]

no second thoughts, get the computer fixed. Perhaps you will get a date out of the whole thing???

[sara1985]

The way i see it Chantelle....you don'y look anything like that model in the computer in male mode...so you take pics of an aspiring model!

Based on the avatar

That's what I was thinking too.

[Cheryl T]

Unless they are pics of you in a "compromising" position then I wouldn't worry about it.

[Fab Karen]

As others are saying, EVERYONE won't know. Secondly, based on your avatar, they'd assume it was some cute chick you know.

[Inna]

I've got one, let your facial hair grow enough that comparative recognition shall be null. Then go to the furthest store in furthest city, distance you feel comfortable with and have it fixed. On the other hand, this might be the sign from heavens that its time, babe! Then just go to the nearest store ask them to fix it, and await what shall come next

[dawnmarrie1961]

As a former owner of a computer repair shop I have had some first hand experience with handling situations like this. It is a matter of professional ethics. Any good and reputable establishment would have a policy not to disclose, or copy without permission, any data contained on the computers they are working on. That includes giving information to law enforcement. I've had estranged wifes come in demanding to have me disclose what websites or photos that their husband had on his computer. I would politely explain our policy of non disclosure.

[Kimburly]

There are times when we must trust a professional to act like a professional. No problems in my recent experience with a computer tech, and my machine is full of lifestyle info.
It does need a leap of faith, though.

[cassandra.932]

Hi,

Most engineer would not bother what is in the computer or would not have the time to. However, there is still a possibility in which you cannot rule out.

If you really do not feel confortable. You may have to spend a little.

I am not sure about Mac, but Dell in this part of the world does provide phone and on-site support if you signed up for it. The technician would advise on the phone. And arrange for on-site support. Should they need to replace any component you can watch what they are doing. Should it be necessary to replace the hard disk you can insist you wish to keep the old one. That way you can be sure no one has access to the information.

My view is, if you have anything confidential, my advise is never dispose of your hard disk in whatever circumstances. Always remove them and keep it whenever you replace your PC/laptops. For mobile phone, always keep them and never recycle or sell them. You can't recover much cost from those items anyway.

[Chastitycd]

Coming from someone who works on computers on the side, as long as its a hardware problem take the hard drive out before you take it to them. A decent repair tech will have a hard drive with the diagnostic tools they use already loaded on it and will use it anyway. If its a software issue, you can get a wipe program off then net usually for free, wipe the hard drive then either re-install the OS (which usually fixes a software problem) or take it in with a clean hard drive.

[nvlady]

The technician that works on your computer won't know whether a man or a woman brought it in, and when he sees a womans picture on it he will just see a womans picture. He will have no time or reason to give it more than a glance.