Prep system to give to Applecare?

[roadapple]

I need to bring my TiBook to the apple store to have them look at an issue with the display. If I need to leave it with them or they need to send it out, I am a little concerned about personal info on the machine. This is mostly email accounts, contacts, ical info and the like (no work or banking info) and I have backed up all of my files, but has anyone had a problem or suggestion how to best prep a system before turning over to Apple for repair?

If I enable to login screen at start up, this could help prevent access to info in my user account?

Maybe at the end of the day they could have total control over the system if they wanted, and I don't really have anything of importance to anyone else (they can copy my itunes library), but this just got me thinking about how much is on it and what I would do if I used if for banking or a business.

 

[musicpyrite]

If your standing next to the Apple guys the whole time they're working on your laptop, I wouldn't worry about my personal information.

However, when Apple installs something new on a laptop (eg motherboard, hard drive, display, optical drive) they will reformat the computer, loosing all your data on it.

I would seriously doubt that Apple would be interested in getting your personal information, but there is always that chance. If you have to end up sending it off for a few days, I'd recommend you use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy all your data to an external drive, and make it bootable. Then format it and send it off to the shop. Once it gets back, simply copy the data from the external HD to the laptop hard drive, and it's like new again.

 

[Norouzi]

If Apple need to access your system they will. Unless you have file vault turned on all a tech has to do to get access to the system if they don't have a password is pop in a Panther Install CD and reset your password. Now if File Vault is turned on then your files will be protected, but if the password is reset then you won't be able to access the files once the PB is returned. My advice is to go with musicpyrite's advice.
Oh just make sure you get all the porn off

 

[Mertzen]

Oh just make sure you get all the porn off

I though that was the way to tip the " geniusseses " ??