My players have a droid head they are planning on selling to a collector type. They want to wipe the memory before they do so, but I had already decided that the droid has a backup that it restores its memory from after a wipe, basing this on a WEG claim that this is how R2-D2 had avoided memory wipes himself. Thing is, I also want to make sure my players have a chance to discover this when they do the wipe because, well, they would have a chance to find it, wouldn't they.

How should I do the memory wipe roll? Should I just do it the same as any other memory wiping, with success wiping the memory but they only find the backup on a Triumph or X-number of Advantages? Or should finding the backup be a separate roll? Not done a memory wiping in game yet so I could set up the rule now that they need to make a roll before actually doing the memory wipe to find their way around and set up the droid brain, during which they could find the backup.

Have you done memory wipes in game before? If so, how did you work them and their effects? Do you also allow PCs to go through droid memories selectively, as in search for specific memories? Have you done droid reprogramming? Not got Special Modifications (despite repeated attempts), so I haven't been able to check to see if any of these questions in there?

In which WEG book is this thing about R2D2 back-up? I would say that R2D2 has some super-special ability talent because he is so awesome . For me you simply wipe the memory and that is the end of the story. I am listening now to the Reven audiobook and there was an encounter where the bad guys raided a facility to get data. The good guys managed to run the "ereaser" program on their disk and when the bad guys stopped it, they were unable to recover anything. I see wiping memory as deleting the data and zero-filling the disk to avoid anyone using the "undelete" command. In d20 memory wiping was DC15 check so like 2d here.

EDIT: I would not make it more complicated unless you are running a slicing oriented campaign.

It was the Star Wars Sourcebook, still got it will have to crack it open again and find the part.

Opposed Computer Check sounds reasonable. If the backup is mechanical in nature it might be instead a opposed mechanic check, in that case some setback dice for the attacker sound reasonable.

BTW I am not 100% sure if zeroing out is 100% full proof to delete data, there are a few papers which suggest that detailed analysis of the platters could lead to successful data recovery, basically old data leaves magnetic traces.

You could apply the same to the game and ask for an impossible mechanics check to restore data which got "zeroed".

BTW I am not 100% sure if zeroing out is 100% full proof to delete data, there are a few papers which suggest that detailed analysis of the platters could lead to successful data recovery, basically old data leaves magnetic traces.

Nope, there are some more advanced methods used by the govts. But I think we should take in mind that it is not only opposed check but also enormous amount of time and very expensive equipment to recover data through "magnetic reading". At least that how it looked when I read about companies who do such tricks (not sure what is the correct name for this operation). So for a guy with just a laptop, I would say it is impossible.

BTW I am not 100% sure if zeroing out is 100% full proof to delete data, there are a few papers which suggest that detailed analysis of the platters could lead to successful data recovery, basically old data leaves magnetic traces.

Nope, there are some more advanced methods used by the govts. But I think we should take in mind that it is not only opposed check but also enormous amount of time and very expensive equipment to recover data through "magnetic reading". At least that how it looked when I read about companies who do such tricks (not sure what is the correct name for this operation). So for a guy with just a laptop, I would say it is impossible.

Oh definitely you need the correct equipment and knowledge, though a mechanic tool kit comes already with the tools and any mechanic skill high enough to deal with an impossible check comes with the right ability set as well. Now time is another issue, having a proper workshop might help there or you just prove to be patient and keep the tech of the group busy for some weeks or months …

Oh and actually I think this would be not an opposed check. Maybe competitive, but not really opposed, because the difficulty should be already impossible or formidable.

Interesting points all. I like the idea that you can still recover some data with a fully decked out lab equipped with Government-level equipment.

SW computers may not use magnetic storage of any sort, so its possible that things can be truly totally erased.

SW computers may not use magnetic storage of any sort, so its possible that things can be truly totally erased.

Or it is possible that traces always remain and causality can always tracked back. It's really up to the narrative that the GM wishes for.

I did not even wished to imply that SW computers used magnetic storage, just that the analogy from the real world into the star wars world could held true and that this would make good material for interesting stories and challenges.

When it comes to droids, I envision that regular memory wipes prevent emergent behavior that -- unaddressed -- becomes so pervasive it integrates with primary programming and is impossible to totally eradicate. Most droids don't rogue; they just go quirky and many owners may not want that. On the other hand, emergence provides capabilities that make a droid more than the sum of its designers.

When it comes to droids, I envision that regular memory wipes prevent emergent behavior that -- unaddressed -- becomes so pervasive it integrates with primary programming and is impossible to totally eradicate. Most droids don't rogue; they just go quirky and many owners may not want that. On the other hand, emergence provides capabilities that make a droid more than the sum of its designers.

Yes, I have the view that most droids are not actually truly sapient, that they become so over time and experience like R2, and the memory wipes are to prevent this.