KW> I've had to do all these before I'd even work on a user's laptop! 

and what do you do about the roaches hiding in the works??

i have actually had folks bring their systems in in "sealed"
plastic bags with poison and roach motels in them... needless to say, they
went out the backdoor 
to sit in the heat for a few weeks until the critters were all gone and
dead... this was implemented after our shop became infested with the
critters... once bombed and this methodology implemented, we didn't have
that problem any more... if anyone opened a machine that had borax spread
inside it, it went outside and they were made to call that individual and
tell them why it would be longer than previously stated for their repairs
to take place... they were offered the choice to come and get their machine
before hand but they were also told that /all/ other local service
centers/stores would be notified so they would not be infeted, too...

 KW> One user keeps returning to us with missing keys, and has *no idea*
 KW> how the keys came off. Repeatedly. This laptop is covered with
 KW> cartoon stickets. I've started buying keyboard and charging them to
 KW> his cost center automatically now. 

hopefully that cost is being reflected back on them, too...

 KW> Others have been absolutely *mystified* by the round, coffee-cup
 KW> shaped break in their laptop screens, apparently unaware that a
 KW> $1500 laptop is not a drink coaster for hot drinks.

OR that nice little tray that slides out from the side! ;)

 KW> I had another user decry the build of his laptop, claiming his Mac
 KW> At Home never had hinge problems. He walked in holding his laptop
 KW> by the corner of the screen.

 KW> I should post these stories to alt.sysadmin.recovery.   :)

you should have already posted them there!! ;) :)

)\/(ark