By now, everybody heard about the two missing FBI hard drives found behind a copy machine. Yes, a copy machine, not a coffee machine, not a water cooler, not a computer, not someone's desk.

We did it! Our industry made headlines. No murders this time. No rats eating the wiring in a machine. No movie with Henry Gibson hiding inside a Canon 6650. This was the real thing. National security was compromised.

Two hard drives with classified information were missing for a month and were found behind the copier! Here is my solution to the question. I guarantee the copier dealer involved is sweating bullets. I am sure the FBI is considering my theory, announced on SMARKA when this first hit the papers. Why wouldn't they be watching us? Here goes. Short and simple. I don’t know if this is possible, because I haven't handled any digital copier hard drives to know if they are swappable with computer hard drives, but its my theory and I'm sticking to it.

Copier tech was working on a digital copier, probably after hours or lunch time. He suspected a hard drive problem, but wasn’t sure. Since no one was around, he merely walked over to a computer and borrowed its hard drive to test. Results inconclusive, so he tried another one. Mediocre and sloppy technician, and he forgot to put them back. That’s all.

Okay, so maybe it's not true. But, I'll guarantee that the copier dealer is being interviewed; his service records are being checked. When was that copier serviced and what was done? Would the technician have gone behind the machine? Would he have seen those HDs? Why didn't he report them? If they weren't there or were, it is certainly important to the investigation. Of course if the copier had no service call in that entire period, all the fun is gone.

Jim Intravia

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