Ship laptop to HP w/o hard drive?

My dv2000t is still under warranty and I plan on shipping it back to HP so they can hopefully fix it (it gets really hot). I don't want HP snooping around my files so is it okay to just send them my laptop without the hard drive?

 

No, they INSIST on reformatting/returning to original state ALL machines that come in for warranty repair, no matter WHAT the problem. Kind of sucks, I know.

 

just get an external drive, copy your stuff over and format your drive to send back with the laptop

 

Awwww. Not what I wanted to hear but thanks for answering so quickly.

 

My case manager told me that its fine to send it in without the hard drive. I did that so they wouldn't put XP back on my machine. But then again my computer has been gone for almost 20 days...

 

With some services (not all with HP though) shipping it in without the hard drive is not a big deal. After all, you don't want them screwing with your data and they (hopefully) understand that.

They probably have a contract with all the bloatware makers to re-infect all laptops that come in for service...

 

just get a external drive for like $80 and copy all your files to it.

 

I sent my unit in twice and the only thing that came back changed was Vista activation was undone. Now I can't activate it because it says the code on the bottom of my notebook is not valid, so now I have 1 day left before Vista locks up. Joy!

Yeah, remove the drive, or make sure you have backups.

 

but how would u copy it if your notebook doesn't work?

i had this same question on another thread. also if you upgraded your ram do you send it in with your upgraded ram? because ive heard on other threads that they sometimes rip you off and give you 512 even when you upgraded it yourself with 2gbs

 

If you do send the notebook back for repair make sure you put it back in it's original config. Uninstall that RAM stick! They will advice you to back up your hard drive datas due to they'll delete everything once they get the unit. One more thing is not to divulge any information that might compromise your repair. "Oh yea, it got jarred when I laid it down." unless you have accidental coverage.

 

well heres the problem i soled my original X2 256 ram sticks for X2 1gb sticks. so in case something were to happen, can i ship it without ram?

or if you upgraded your hard drive to a larger one, has anyone had any problems with hp ripping you off and giving you a smaller one?

what if i also did some "customizations" such as covering my notebook with vinyl, and such, has anyone experienced anything in this category?

 

I'm unsure if customizations would void your warranty, but generally if its something permanent and it cannot ever be removed its a good idea not to install it. But if the customizations are removable then it shouldn't be a big deal.

As far as your RAM, you have to ship the notebook in with RAM. However HP does not care if you replaced your original RAM with upgraded RAM. Just be aware that there is no guarantee that RAM will still be in your computer when it gets back from HP Repair. There Mail-In-Service says in bold, "HP Shall Not Be Responsible For Additional Hardware Not Covered Under Warranty."

 

yeah but what im saying is that you originally upgraded your own notebook from 512 to 2 gigs, but when u ship it to hp you get your notebook with 512. ive heard it has happened to some people in this forum.

but the customization its just a vinyl sticker basically. look at this other thread i created in "notebook customizations" thats my notebook!! still gotta redo the lid though
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=119899

 

They may or may not change the RAM back to original specs. It's like gambling.. 50-50 chance. Unless you tell technical support what you've done and make a note of it in the repair order... in bold letters! In red!!

 

cause i dont want to be one of those unlucky customers who have to play a game of back and forth just to get my ram back, also having to wait weeks for the delivery

 

they want you to send the laptop with hdd. I personally keep 2 HDD. one that I use personally, and the other one is the one that come with the laptop. In any case I need to ship to them, I just swap the HDD.