File Retention

[bluefalcon]

So I had a customer drop off an old desktop to me today. It was made around 2002 with Windows XP. It was a custom build by a local shop in town that was notorious for a lot of bad builds back then. She told me she had it in and out of their shop at least twice a year for repairs until she bought her current vista machine back in 2007.

She tells me she hasn't turned it own since 2007 and forgot the windows password. She just wants to have it cleaned up so her dad can use it to surf the web.

Anyhow, I pop in Hirens to crack the password. I went into the BIOS to change the boot priority and BAM it has a bios password on it. She tells me the local shop put the password on it one of the many times she had it repaired.

So I googled the number I pulled from about 6 or so repair stickers on the machine. Gave them a call and had a weird response when I asked for the password. Went on about how they changed business names and even if they hadn't changed the name, they wouldn't keep data THAT far back.

The last repair was in 2006. I was able to remove the bios password but just seemed kind of odd that a company wouldn't want to keep records that long.

How long does everyone else retain their records?

 

[Jory]

Forever, but being able to effectively find that information is another story.

 

[RichmondTech]

These days with a good CRM you should be able to keep information forever.

Of course back in 2002 they were probably using carbon copy forms or something they just ran through a printer.

 

[Berk]

Like was said, you should be able to keep them forever. I do know a good rule of thumb (legally speaking) is at least 7 years. I know that my dad who is a CPA keeps everything at least 7, if not 10 years. But I think legally you are supposed to keep at least the last 7 years worth of files/transactions/etc... Something about statute of limitations in case of legal proceedings.

 

[jogold]

I think that it's not nice (if not unethical) to put a password on the bios and not tell the client what it is.
When I do this for what ever reason (like a school with student computers) I will put a piece of paper with the info taped to the inside of the case along with the mb driver cd.
If the client has a service contract then I keep the info for the term of the contract. For my other clients I tell them that while I will try and keep their info for them I don't take responsibly for their info.

 

[14049752]

I know it's not the point of the thread, but I instantly thought "How is looking up the company, then calling to ask for the password easier than just setting a jumper?"


Like others have said, our data is essentially kept forever. Paper files will be shredded after seven years.

 

[bluefalcon]

I know it's not the point of the thread, but I instantly thought "How is looking up the company, then calling to ask for the password easier than just setting a jumper?"


Like others have said, our data is essentially kept forever. Paper files will be shredded after seven years.

I ended up removing the onboard battery for 30 seconds. That removed the password.

 

[Rosco]

I ended up removing the onboard battery for 30 seconds. That removed the password.

same thing as a jumper reset... just resets the cmos.

i kept records forever... just digital and a backup off site after a year.

your right it was dumb of the other shop but you dont need to know it... better off without it as long as there is not a specific reason

 

[bluefalcon]

same thing as a jumper reset... just resets the cmos.

i kept records forever... just digital and a backup off site after a year.

your right it was dumb of the other shop but you dont need to know it... better off without it as long as there is not a specific reason

Yea. I call it market research. Just to see how the place responds when they get a call like that.