Hi guys. My n900 has the problem of not getting past the nokia start up screen, so I've looked through all the threads on here and I know it's going to need flashing. I'm going to take it back to The Carphone Warehouse (u.k) where I bought it because I haven't got the tech know how or a p.c.
So my question is: Will the tech guys that fix my phone be able to see any of my files which are stored on the phone memory?
I don't mind, my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world but she wont let me get it fixed if she thinks any one is going to see our 'private' files.
Thanks guys.

Uh yeah they will. You should borrow a friend's PC and reflash it yourself, it's not that hard.

I've just been told that they can do it while I wait, they wont have any of my phone memory stored on their computers after will they?

You can never know unless you either perform it yourself or try your best to monitor what they're doing.

Reflashing in itself does not require any of the data on the phone to be saved anywhere else so if you can get close enough to see that all that's done is the flash, you can be pretty sure your data is safe.

They shouldn't

But seriously if they can do it that fast they have no time to snoop

Judging from historical report on such issues, there's a higher chance that they retain your private files than not.

Take the safe route, it's worth it.

Thanks guys, she feels a bit better, but not convinced. It's got to be done though eh. I seriously wouldn't know where to start when it comes to flashing.
It's good to know I've got some where to come to ask questions that may seem trivial to others but are important enough to worry about for some.
Thank you.

Yup, plenty of info about flashing to find on maemo.org

Just remember that it doesn't take long to make copies of your files and that they would have dozens of reasons or excuses to do so (ie: oh, I backed up your files to safe keep them in case your device get hosed..... but then I forgot to delete them at the end of the day).

And it only takes one copy of your file to get them multiplied by the millions on the internet, then probably to the tabloids, your colleague, neighbors or family members...

Best of luck, mate.

lol you left them sort of files on the phone?

Baaaad idea

Damn right! Put them in a TrueCrypt container and leave it unmounted when not...using it

There are viruses out there that steal your personal files you know!