A friend of mine has a Chromebook that won't turn on, and she's considering tossing it out. We looked into how to perform a factory reset, but the button combination seems really complicated, especially since she values her privacy. Is there a simple way to do this without being able to see the screen? Also, should we consider physically damaging it as a last resort?
4 Answers
To ensure your data is safe, change your Google password and confirm your recovery phone is set up correctly. You can mark the Chromebook as lost or stolen using 'Find My Device', and it’ll effectively render it useless to anyone else!
You might want to try connecting it to a docking station or a USB-C monitor to see if that helps with visibility. At least then you can proceed with the reset if you can get a display up and running.
I’ve actually had luck with a sledgehammer when a device was in a similar situation, but just make sure you know where the SSD is located if you’re going that route. You don’t want to damage other components!
If your Chromebook has an HDMI port, plug it into a TV or an external monitor. That way, you could actually see what you’re doing! But before you resort to throwing it away, remember that just whacking it might not destroy the data properly.
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