Retention of Data
Regular hard disk backups are an important part of responsible computer ownership. Please understand that you are responsible for making sure that all your data is backed up prior any repairs, upgrades or hardware and software changes being made. If your data has not been backed up, it is your responsibility to make this known to me immediately. The stability of any Windows operating system can never be assured and installing any new hardware or software or indeed making any changes to the operating system whatsoever can potentially lead to loss of data.

If no complete backup of your data exists then a backup of your data can be made as a part of the service and before any work is undertaken. It is, however, your own responsibility to request that this be done.

Backing up data involves installing a software backup tool. This software will be installed for the duration of the procedure and then uninstalled at the end of it. During the backup process a complete image of the system hard drive will be both made and verified for integrity and this image will be stored on a separate removable hard drive. If you have a suitable external hard drive on which to store the image then of course it will be most appropriate for the image to be stored there so that you can retain complete ownership of it. If you do not have a suitable external hard drive one can be provided for temporary storage of the image for the sole purpose of data integrity while repairs, upgrades or hardware and software changes are being made. It is to be understood that although you retain intellectual property rights for your data when it resides on the drive, the ownership of any physical hard drive supplied by me will always be retained by me. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the storage of the image is a temporary measure to ensure data integrity whilst work is being undertaken and that unless you wish for a copy of this data be made as a continued part of the service the data will be completely erased upon the drive being removed from your location.

In a case of image data having to be stored on a hard drive that has been supplied by me it is to be understood that in order to preserve your privacy the data will not be examined at any time after leaving your premises and that it will not only be deleted but will be overwritten with random characters making any data recovery impossible. It is also to be understood that although it may be in my possession the substance of the stored data is unknown to me and I can not accept responsibility for anything within it that may be prohibited by law.

Please note that this text is intended be a "plain-speak" part of what I consider to be the one of the most important aspects of the Terms and Conditions of Service.

I am not a magician and all my customers should understand that although I will do my best to protect the integrity of their data at all times, Windows by its very nature is not infallible. By design, some malware can potentially damage the operating system beyond repair and sometimes to a point where the only realistic course of action is to re-install Windows. In case the worst were to happen, your data must have been backed up in order for it not to be permanantly lost. Please read the sections entitled "Backing-up Properly" and "Reinstalling Windows" for a further understanding of what the consequences of not backing-up you data could be.

REMEMBER: ALWAYS BACK IT UP!