this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2026
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I was once hired to fix a computer. I told them that the fix would just be a simple reformat, and asked if they wanted me to back up any files.
they said no, they had backed everything up already. I asked if they wanted to take one last look through the system to make sure. They got huffy and told me to just take care of it already.
So I did.
then they asked me to restore their files.
it was a CD-R of hundreds of desktop links to programs, and even photos. no actual data. just links.
They were not happy when I explained it to them.
i can totally believe the story in Op's picture to be one that actually happened.
Reminds me of my grandfather who thought the relative location of icons on the desktop would be reflected in the file manager. It was quite a struggle to explain to them that wasn't one of the sorting options.
What do you mean? I can’t arrange by penis (SFW)
Why would you assume someone who required professional help to reformat a PC would have properly backed everything up?
You should have backed it up for them and then ransomed it back to them.
because they double checked and the customer got huffy about it
customer did this to themselves, OP tried to help them and was punished for it
I wasnt a professional, Just the "computer guy".. and its been like 25+ years, but if I recall correctly they didnt hire me to reformat it specifically, I believe it was windows 98, and memory serves it hadnt been reformatted in years, and i think they slapped some new PCI cards into it without removing the software for the old ones? I dont remember the details, but basically told them that a clean start would have a 98% chance of fixing their system, and if it didnt.. I'd still need the clean start to figure out what was wrong where.
They were over my shoulder the entire time, wouldnt have let me if i wanted to (Edit, and I wouldnt have wanted to, because I hate going through peoples stuff even with permission).. and quite frankly I just wanted to get out of there asap cause I didnt like the attitude i got for being there trying to help them.
I did run into them again at a later time, where they were sad to have lost their stuff, but said the computer was running faster than ever, not realizing how much the bullshit had been dragging them down.
"Why didn't you go against the customer's wishes and dig through their data after being told to proceed with the task you were told to do? You could have extorted them while showing you were willing to violate their privacy and steal a customer's data!"
FTFY
Exactly! And keep a copy for yourself while you're at it.
Back up the files, then, when they discover the fuck up: "I can try to recover the files, but it's going to be a lengthy process. I'll have to charge you $x."
You could do it in a less criminal way…
But then they wouldn't learn /s