Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Emergency! I mac hard drive

C

charles890111

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 30, 2012
2
0
Hey guys, recently I just brought my I Mac to the apple store to get fix, and today they just called me about my I mac won't get pass the grey screen because of the hard drive problem. They said the only solution they can do it's transfer all the data to a new hard drive then install it on my I mac. Here's my question, I know it may sounds silly, but I have 5GB porn video save on invisible folder, will that completely transfer to the new hard drive? Will I lost the file when it transfer all the data to the new drive? Please Help me, I am really worry... someone who's expert please answer this.

btw, They said I will have all the files back 99% for sure, but I was afraid to mention them about my invisible folders.
 
You will get your porn. The tech doing the file transfer will get your porn. They don't care about porn at the computer store if you tell them about it, it's not Iran or Oklahoma or anything.
 
Since they will clone the HDD, making a 1:1 copy, invisible files and folders are included, as your manually hidden folder is not the only hidden item on there.

Btw, it is called iMac.
 
if it's child porn , they'll have the cops return the computer to you but other than that , nothing to worry about..

:)
 
ancelrick said:
if it's child porn , they'll have the cops return the computer to you but other than that , nothing to worry about..
Click to expand...
I'm surprised about how often this happens. You'd think they would know better that if you're committing a felony on your computer, you may not want to hand it over to other people to be fixed.

If it's normal porn, no one will even pretend to notice. That's the only thing the internet is good for, right?
 
of course not!

ancelrick said:
if it's child porn , they'll have the cops return the computer to you but other than that , nothing to worry about..

:)
Click to expand...
Of course it's not child porn! only sick people do that.

----------
Orange Crane said:
You will get your porn. The tech doing the file transfer will get your porn. They don't care about porn at the computer store if you tell them about it, it's not Iran or Oklahoma or anything.
Click to expand...

I just talked to them on the phone, about customer privacy. They are not allow to copy my data file and keep it to them self right? Is it illegal if they copy my stuff without my permission. They said they won't do it, if they do that will go to jail, is it true?
 
Well, what you should do with your personal stuff is saving it in an encrypted image that you can mount and dismount at will. Instructions can be easily found in the Mac sites. Of course you should also backup your Mac with Time Machine! The backup can be encrypted as well.
This way, if you have an issue with your computer, you can be confident that nobody will be able to read your stuff, unless you provide the password.
Please note that if your computer is lost or stolen you would be in the exact same situation. In addition, you are concerned about pictures/videos, but what about your bank/tax data? Everything that is personal should be protected.
 
charles890111 said:
They are not allow to copy my data file and keep it to them self right?
Click to expand...
No, they aren't allowed to do that. Also, they would at the very least lose their job if they did.

I don't know specifically about the Apple store, but most workplaces that deal with sensitive data (like personal client data) have very strict rules about bringing tech owned storage devices into the work area.

You've also been given good advice about creating encrypted disk images for items you want private (like sensitive financial data, medical records, and you know - porn).

That way you won't have to worry about this if you need to get your computer serviced again. Or it gets lost. Or stolen.
 
charles890111 said:
I just talked to them on the phone, about customer privacy. They are not allow to copy my data file and keep it to them self right? Is it illegal if they copy my stuff without my permission. They said they won't do it, if they do that will go to jail, is it true?
Click to expand...

btbrossard said:
No, they aren't allowed to do that. Also, they would at the very least lose their job if they did.
Click to expand...
Of course in reality most people who work in computer repair have large collections of music and/or porn gleaned from the hard drives of customers. It happens. Oh well. If its homemade porn then lesson learned.

I pulled my mbp hd when I first got the computer and installed a fresh 1 tb drive in its place. If the computer ever has to go in for service I'll put the stock drive with nothing but the os back in and I know my files are secure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back