I use a laptop with XP Professional.
I had sent my laptop in for repairs because it was sporadically powering on - i.e. sometimes it would and somtimes it wouldn't. The indicator lights showed the AC adapter was working and I could turn the power button on, on the lap top, but it would not power up. So, the repair guy said it was a hardware issue and replaced some part or the other. He asked for my login password as he said he had to test the laptop to make sure it was working properly. I was reluctant, but did so anyway.
However, when I got my laptop back, he said he had not logged on at all. However, the time/date was totally off and when going to start - all programs, it indicated I had new programs (i.e. a lot of the programs were highlighted, even though they were there before I sent the laptop in for repairs). He told me that he had to remove some internal battery while repairing, and hence the time/date issue - but no answer for the new programs issue...
My questions:
0. Hiow can I tell when the computer was turned on and logged into (like within the last week)?
1. How can I check if he accessed any files (copied, opened, etc.) or programs?
2. I had some files in the recycle bin (important ones) that I would not want him to have viewed - how can I tell if he did?
3. Can I tell if he installed some software (e.g. keylogger, etc.) that is harmful for me?
4. In future, if I have to send my laptop for repairs, how can I safeguard data and the laptop from being viewed by the repairer?
5. I suppose even if I did not give the login password, he could have simply removed the hard driver and copied it to another computer if he really wanted to see my data.
Thanks,
Vern