Sorry to post this in this group as it is way off topic, but, there are a
lot of switched on people in here
I've just got in from seeing a client
I built a machine for him close on 12 months ago
Some of the USB ports have failed so I have had to install another main
board
I explained to the client that because of the way oem Windows works I would
have to install a fresh copy of Windows
This I bought and have not charged for
I also explained that this would mean a complete reformat of his hard drive
with total loss of data and he should back up everything he see's fit
He said that he backs everything up but would I do the same
I agreed and asked him if he keeps everything in his Document and Settings
folder or does he keep any data in any other locations
He said that everything was in his Documents and Settings folder
When I picked up his machine he added the fact that there were some emails
that were very important and he must have them restored
He asked if I could back them up and I said yes and backed up his Outlook
Express folder
The upshot is that when I have returned his machine and set up a firewall,
antivirus software, anti malware/spyware software
And configured his email client and restored all of his email
And, then installed his Office suite
And then installed his printer
He then says where is all the stuff on my desktop
To cut a long story short I had to say is that it did not exist any more
It appears that there were some [very] important documents on there
His argument is that I should have told him he should have backed up his
desktop
My argument is that if any data is important then it should be backed up on
at least a daily basis
I couldn't explain this as he was in a state of total loss of control and I
really thought he was going to physically atack me
He also said that he will be sueing me
Can anyone suggest my best course of action here
My initial feelings are to email him and explain that all I had to do was to
replace his main board and install the Windows operating system
Any data and programs should have been his responsibility
The additional work was PR
Given that a lot of people here work in the IT industry do you think this is
a good idea or should I let him talk to his legal people who may tell him
that he should have backed up his system first, before allowing the format
of a hard drive, and then let him get back to me
This is the first time I've been in this position and hope that if someone
has been in this situation themselves they could let me know how they
handled it
Again, sorry this is so off topic but the only people that may have
experienced this are here
Mike