I have a school-issued Chromebook that's broken in a couple of noticeable ways. The screen has engravings on it, and I've also lost two keys. I don't have the funds to cover the repair myself, but the school charges $50 for repairs if it's determined to be accidental damage. Right now, it looks like it might be intentional, and I'm unsure what steps to take. Should I try to make it look like an accident, perhaps by damaging it further?
4 Answers
Replacement keys are available online for Chromebooks, so you can definitely fix that part yourself. But with the screen, if it functions fine, the engravings might be overlooked. Have you thought about just telling them it happened during regular use? It could save you a lot compared to a full repair.
They might be sympathetic if you explain it properly. Just don't overhype how it got damaged!
Honestly, trying to make it look like an accident is a bad idea. Trust me, I've worked in IT, and if you try to cause more damage, they'll know it’s deliberate. It's better to just own up to it. Plus, it could land you in deeper trouble if they see through it.
If you're old enough, maybe consider picking up a part-time job to save for the repair. It would be worth it to avoid any potential issues with the school.
I mean, accidents can happen... but most of us have seen people drop their laptops or something. If you really feel the urge, I wouldn't recommend smashing your screen; it could definitely backfire.
$50 sounds fair for the repair. Unless it's clear that you intentionally damaged it, just explain to them what happened. Better to be honest than risk a bigger issue.
But if they claim it wasn't an accident, I could be on the hook for like $200! That's why I'm worried.
Understandable, but you might be surprised how they handle these things. Sometimes honesty pays off.
You should reach out to the school's IT department instead of trying to fix this yourself. They might have solutions or be more understanding if you explain what happened during normal use. Trying to cover it up won't end well.
But can I really not fix it somehow? I'd rather take a shot at it myself if possible.
The issue is that it's a school property. They might be more likely to help if you ask rather than if they figure out you've tried to hide something.
Yeah, but look at my screen! It's pretty scratched up. Do you think they'd even consider that? I feel like I need a miracle here.