What happens to dead hard drives ??

[Strat]

If you return a dead hard drive, and it is still recognised in BIOS, it just fails 2 test from the manufacturers diagnostic tool, and you return what happens to the drive.


Will they test it again, to make sure its dead, then throw it away or do they try and recover data, see what everyones been up to ??:eek: :p :eek: :eek: :p :eek:

[otheos]

Most of them are repaired and then used as replacement for other users (like the one you're getting back for your RMA), or sold as refurbrished in varous outlets.

Don't worry about your data, nobody has the time to see what it's in there. If a drive is beyond repare it's drilled through twice (no way to recover anything from it after that).

[Ankerson]

I have a WD 80g drive sitting on my Desk that I opened up.

Looks cool sitting there. :D

I also reminds me not to buy anymore IDE drives.;)

[otheos]

So why didn't you just rma'd it?

[chaser_22]

I always thought they went to HD Heaven, you mean to tell me they don't??

[Ankerson]

Originally posted by otheos
So why didn't you just rma'd it?


Never had good luck with RMA drives, Refurbs..

The ones I had gotten locally I RMAed because I got new drives as replacements. Then I sold them. :D

And got SCSI drives.

[otheos]

Refurbs are just as good as new generally but I understand your reluctance.

Maxtor however replaces rma's with brand new drives only. Just one more reason to prefer Maxtor :)

[danee]

Originally posted by otheos
Most of them are repaired and then used as replacement for other users (like the one you're getting back for your RMA), or sold as refurbrished in varous outlets.

Don't worry about your data, nobody has the time to see what it's in there. If a drive is beyond repare it's drilled through twice (no way to recover anything from it after that).

Actually it depends on which brand your refering to, as the different manufacturers have slightly different schemes, which sometimes also even differs across nations.

E.g: Seagate in Aust... depending on the reported 'fault' from the customer is usually the first decision point - though in times when their drives aren't faulting much in the market place, their techs will test every single drive, and if possible repair them - these are then used in warranty replacement (usually) outside of the times when new stock levels are low, thus they release these as "new" HD's. On the side, i have seen (after being requested) re-furbed drives given away to charities for IT repairs... but these would only usually be on low storage volumes (2/3 years old).

IBM in Aust, has a slightly different attitude. If a drive is reported dead (and a tech wont be inspecting it) then its added to a "recycling" box. On that, the age of the drive is the first major determination point. e.g: anything of around 4.2GB or less is added for recycling immediately. On brand new drives it differs immensely... different models mean different methods, e.g: some 20gB drives could be recycled immediately if say reported "dead" by the customer. Other say 80GB SCSI drives may be shipped back to Asia for repair at the manufacturing centre.
Anyway to the point... "recycling" means a person who - additional to their other duties (most liekly a tech) grabs a hammer and smashes every component into electronic waste - which is then actually recycled down to their base elements.
The 'recycling' attitude is, if we (IBM) either dont want the device, or deem it to old to be of any profitable use to the company, should destroy the device so no one else can possibly benefit from it.

Finally as to data... some concern on that - for a good 3 years IBM's refurbishment plant in Aust. - which exclusively handles the the recycling of all brands of all IT equipment which is ex-lease, ex-demo etc... was never erasing any data off Apple Mac's before being re-sold to the consumer market. Supposably they are now... but i wouldnt really trust it, knowing current employee's and the company's demand for 'numbers' and 'efficency'.

Seagate, from my knowledge, perform minimum of a low-level format on all drives, if their going back into the market.

[lito pospos]

They don’t care what is the content ,,,,,,,,,,,,but
If somebody know that your holding important data that endanger the nation that totally another story,,,,,,, or where did you get that drive from,,,one of cave in Afghanistan.

[Strat]

So if you return a Maxtor, because the only replace RMA with brand new, does this mean they get the ol' double drill treatment straight away ??

[G Ray88]

Old dead drives especially the larger ones, add a wire to hang up on the wall with the cover removed, and you have a neat mirror, or something to help cover the wall.:cool:

[Swordfish]

would look great as a paper weight...i mean the dead hdd's.;)

[Mutant_Donkey]

i hear they make good clocks.