HP Repair and Backup Strategy

I am sending in my Pavilion for repair (I suspect ribbon cables). Although I'm going to ask that they not do so, I am planning that they will re-image my OS (Vista Business).

My strategy is to use "Backup and Restore" to do a full "Computer" backup to preserve my personal data and, most importantly, my applications. If the unit is re-imaged, I will run B&R from the new image and restore my apps and personal data from my backup set.

My goal is to get back to EXACTLY what I had before I sent it in and I really have one shot at it! Before I pack it up, am I missing anything here? Seems too good to be true (and way too easy) and that makes me nervous! I've read a bunch of articles (MSFT and independent) that seem to verify my approach, but I put it out here for your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

 

If your hard drive is not involved in the repair I would pull the drive before sending it off. They've got plenty laying around they can use for the repair. Then you'll be assure the drive is not re-imaged.

 

Good point. I didn't include it when I had my keyboard repaired. Now that I have an apparent problem with the ribbon cables, I wasn't sure if they're reject my repair because there was no HDD. Personally, I'm worried about security/privacy issues, in-transit damage and (per my post) losing key data on backup/recovery.

Has anyone done this without any gas from HP?

ps - update from HP. I was told this morning to send it in - paperwork in process. This afternoon, I received another note telling me to first roll back to XP and see if audio works. If not, they'll take it back for repair. Nope - not going there. Waste of my time. HP (first-level) support is a joke. Unreadable emails (very poor english), canned responses ("I can visualize your problem" ) - really, what can you see? You computer will be "mended" (I mend jeans, not computers). Just sent a note off to Mark Hurd's "talk to me" email account. This is ridiculous. BTW - I have had great luck with case managers. The seem to have the responsibility and the authority to get things done. I hope one call me on this issue.