Warranty in case of OS change

[affaj]

Today I read an article on Slashdot called "Retailer Refuses Hardware Repair Due To Linux", http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/07/09/12/0011209.shtml.

I am planning to make my T60 dual-boot, adding Ubuntu partition to pre-installed Vista. Am I running in a danger of voiding Lenovo's 3-year warranty?

Andres

[Harryc]

No. In fact it is recommended to remove the hard drive before sending or calling it in for service.

[carbon_unit]

And if the hard drive itself fails they will send you a new one.

[ryengineer]

Lenovo takes the responsibility for it's machines, softwares it provides, deals with the compatibility issues of these softwares under Windows and makes sure all 3 work properly. However it warrants only 1 thing i.e. the machine it manufactures. Support will be provided regarding non third party lenovo software and drivers, but there is no warranty there.

What this Warranty Does not Cover:

This warranty does not cover the following:
-uninterrupted or error-free operation of a product;
-loss of, or damage to, your data;
-any software programs, whether provided with the product or installed subsequently;
-failure or damage resulting from misuse, accident, modification, unsuitable physical or operating environment, natural disasters, power surges, or improper maintenance by you;
-any third party products, including those that Lenovo may procure and provide with or integrate into the Lenovo product at your request; and-any technical or other support, such as assistance with “how -to” questions and those regarding product set-up and installation.

This warranty is voided by removal or alteration of identification labels on the product or its parts.

[DenTP4rm]

No. In fact it is recommended to remove the hard drive before sending or calling it in for service.

ryengineer, you seem to be pretty familiar with Lenovo. What do you think of Harryc's comment above? If at some point in the future I have problems with my T60p and I'm sure it's not the HD, should I remove the HD and send it in without one? I would love to do that so as to protect my private data, but I could see somebody at Lenovo saying that would limit their ability to ascertain the cause of the problem. (Or is the idea to remove the HD with Linux on it but put back in the original one?) Do you know what the official scoop is on that?
thanks,
DenTP4rm

[ryengineer]

ryengineer, you seem to be pretty familiar with Lenovo. What do you think of Harryc's comment above? If at some point in the future I have problems with my T60p and I'm sure it's not the HD, should I remove the HD and send it in without one? I would love to do that so as to protect my private data, but I could see somebody at Lenovo saying that would limit their ability to ascertain the cause of the problem. (Or is the idea to remove the HD with Linux on it but put back in the original one?) Do you know what the official scoop is on that?
thanks, DenTP4rm

You don't need to send out any component that is not experiencing a problem. You can safely remove additional memory module, HDD, ultrabay battery if any, media bay, battery, ac adapter before sending it out to repair services.