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Where is information stored on a computer?
 

Where exactly is data stored besides the hard drive?

I had my laptop screen go bad and need to send it in for a warranty repair. I used this laptop for business purposes, so it has credit card and bank info on it. I really don't want someone stealing my info, so how can I prevent this when I send it in?

They told me I can take my hard drive out first and just send the rest of the laptop. Can't people get your data from the RAM somehow as well?

RAM is wiped clean when the machine is turned off.
You can remove the battery on the laptop to make sure.
The EPROMS are programed at the factory and can not be changed unless you know how.
You do not store and personal data there (usually...)

If you have any power-on password (BIOS password), remove it before sending it in. Then remove the hard drive. The repair facility should have a test hard drive that they will use during the repair, if needed.