Preparing Thinkpad for sending for warranty work

[CZOLG]

There are certainly many of you who have send their thinkpads for service.
Since I will have to do it (defective VGA out) I have some questions.
Is it ok if I remove battery, CD Drive, Harddrive from the machine prior to sending?
Is it ok if I leave the power on password (not the bios one, the one in the security chip)?
Will they be able to diagnose the machine and service without those items?
Thanks for any tips.

[ryengineer]

snip.....
Is it ok if I remove battery, CD Drive, Harddrive from the machine prior to sending?

Yes, you can remove additional user installed memory as well.

Is it ok if I leave the power on password (not the bios one, the one in the security chip)?

Doesn't matter, you'll be provided with a piece of repair sheet to write down the (all known) password along with other details like the problem you're experiencing.

Will they be able to diagnose the machine and service without those items?......snip

Yes.

[CZOLG]

ryengineer,
Thank you for clear answer.
Exactly what I wanted to know.

[carbon_unit]

Chances are that they will be replacing the motherboard anyway and that will nullify the password issue. I'd remove it anyway just to be on the safe side.

[CZOLG]

I will probably remove all the passwords.
I wonder how long may it take to fix the machine, I will need it on 3th October latest...
I guess that service in the US works a little bit faster than in the UK, or the rest of the world for that matter.
Is it true, or are there some standards?

[ryengineer]

The turn around time depends on the location.

Yes it's true the service is alot faster in the US than other countries. Customers usually receive their machines back in min. 2 to max. 5 days.

It will definitely vary in the UK.