Basically, my steam deck recently got (presumably) stolen after accidentally leaving it at the living room (dumb move I know). I have a suspect that I believe did it but I can’t make an iron clad case against him. He:

  • Claims to have been gifted a steam deck by his dad last weekend, but was only first seen with it tuesday.
  • Has not been seen with a case, which is the part I still own.
  • has the exact same internal storage and sd card I had
  • he claims it has been bought on the Dutch equivalent of Ebay, where the prices are still comparable to brand new from valve

My mom managed to find the box, where it says the serial numbers. The numbers seem to match the suspect’s steam deck (well I think so, the caretakers did this step). But the suspect claims that not each serial number is 100% unique. I highly doubt that claim but am not a big enough expert in hardware to disprove it.

Tl;dr: does the matching serial number 100% prove it’s my stolen steam deck?

P.S: how difficult is it to revert from windowd 11 back to steam os, asking incase he did steal it cause I know his runs windows

  • Swirly_Eyes@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    OP, get your Deck back and tell that thief to f**k off. Are they using your account too?

    Login to Steam Mobile as further evidence.

  • MetalDeathMetal@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Confront him with the staff and verify the serial number on the back or in system info. Then report his thieving ass to the authorities. You NEVER steal another man’s steamer! Period.

    Otherwise I’d sneak into his stuff, steal it back and confront him if it’s actually mine(Ser. nr. Proof)

  • ThatGothGuyUK@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Get the box and the receipt (take photos for evidence), go to the police and tell them you know who stole it as the serial numbers match (which are 100% unique).

    You can reinstall SteamOS using a PC and a USB Thumb Drive.

    Oh and you can see your unique hardware details and serial number in your account:
    https://store.steampowered.com/account/hardwareused

  • Straightwad@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He definitely stole your Steamdeck OP. I’d get the police involved if you can’t get it back from him.

  • audigex@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Serial numbers are unique

    If the caretakers won’t deal with it, go to the police

  • coldsoul111614@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Hell yeah each serial number is unique! That’s what they’re there for. No two products have the same exact serial number. Go get your deck back before he breaks it

  • ch0jin@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    If the serial number on the SD matches the box it came with, this is 100% yours man.

    Go get that thing back, and f**k that lying thief.

  • Dabbinja@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    So sorry you have to deal with inept conflict resolution at this clinic. Obvious give away was the sudden arrival but the serials are your key. Just threaten legal action the staff will straighten things out under the pressure.