[PLUG] replacing versus wiping hard drives for Linux

[Rick]

I'm not disagreeing, but some other issues to consider...

Opening up the computer to replace the hard drive can, on occasion, void
your system's warranty - depending on the brand/etc. At the very least, it
may give them something to point their finger at and say "you caused this
problem, it's not covered by warranty."

Also... your replacement hard drive will be covered by a separate warranty
(and separate warranty process) than the system. This will often be a good
thing (if your hard drive has a 3 year warranty and your computer has a 1
year warranty)... but is another factor to consider. This will especially
be true if you are purchasing an extended warranty for the system... and
even more so if it's a 3rd-party warranty.

All that being said... I'm still a fan of doing exactly what Keith (and
others) have recommended... just need to be fully aware of all the
ramifications.

-Rick


On Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 10:21 AM, Paul Heinlein <heinlein at madboa.com> wrote:

> On Mon, 18 Nov 2013, Keith Lofstrom wrote:
>
>  Often, folks bring their windoze laptops to the clinic, hoping to make
>> them dual boot.  This is an OK option for small budgets and off-warranty
>> laptops, but for new laptops or bigger budgets, it is better to remove the
>> original windoze hard drive and store it for later, and install a new hard
>> drive.  Put linux on that, then virtualbox or vmware with a windoze client
>> if necessary.
>>
>
> +1
>
> The same thing is true when you're helping someone whose computer has
> malware or a crippling case of Old-Windows disease. Convince the owner to
> buy a new hard drive -- and an external USB enclosure. Install a new copy
> of the OS on the new HD, make the old drive available via USB (presumably
> after scanning it for malware), and copy data files as necessary.
>
> In larger environments, where a decent file server is available, use
> Clonezilla (*before* ever booting the new laptop from its hard drive) to
> get a pristine image of the machine as shipped. If necessary for warranty
> work, the original image can be pushed back to the machine in question.
>
> --
> Paul Heinlein
> heinlein at madboa.com
> 45°38' N, 122°6' W
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