RMAing a Hard Drive, any experience?

Skaw

Skaw

One Bad Man
Adventurer
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
10,951
Age
42
Location
Baltimore, MD
I'm 99.999999% sure my hard drive has gone bad in some way, and it's only four months old. Constant(but random) blue screens, failure to be detected as a boot device during the boot sequence occasionally, freezing/crashing during chkdsk - both in and out of windows and safe mode while doing a FULL check, partial goes by fine.

The problems are so incredibly random, that sometimes, they'll start up as soon as after I install video card drivers, others, they won't start up until I've installed and played a few games for a few hours(TF2 and L4D for example,) on top of updating windows fully. Blue screens are usually nondescript "shut down to prevent damage" screens, but maybe 25% of the time it's a kernel inpage error.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever sent an HDD in to a manufacturer. How long did it take for them to return you another? Also, if it was still under warranty, how much did it cost you?
 
Last edited:
I know you said you ran chkdsk, but did you use the repair option? chkdsk /r

edit: Using a XP install CD/DVD and selecting the repair option 'R' at the menu.
 
Last edited:
Before doing an RMA, try running a SMART test.
 
Lucki said:
I know you said you ran chkdsk, but did you use the repair option? chkdsk /r

edit: Using a XP install CD/DVD and selecting the repair option 'R' at the menu.
Click to expand...

Yes, it hangs at 53% at some point. I've left it on overnight, no change.

Tagrineth said:
Before doing an RMA, try running a SMART test.
Click to expand...

Well I'm just wondering how quick somebody who has done an RMA has recieved a replacement and how much it had cost them to ship it out.
 
Lucki said:
I know you said you ran chkdsk, but did you use the repair option? chkdsk /r

edit: Using a XP install CD/DVD and selecting the repair option 'R' at the menu.
Click to expand...


# 1 NO NO NO NONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

lol >_>

# 2 Worth a try and won't hurt anything.
 
Does the BSoD error change? Or is it the same every time it happens
 
Princemercury said:
# 1 NO NO NO NONONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

lol >_>

# 2 Worth a try and won't hurt anything.
Click to expand...

I typed it out too fast. #1 should only be used when started by #2.
 
Skaw said:
The problems are so incredibly random, that sometimes, they'll start up as soon as after I install video card drivers, others, they won't start up until I've installed and played a few games for a few hours(TF2 and L4D for example,) on top of updating windows fully. Blue screens are usually nondescript "shut down to prevent damage" screens, but maybe 25% of the time it's a kernel inpage error.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever sent an HDD in to a manufacturer. How long did it take for them to return you another? Also, if it was still under warranty, how much did it cost you?
Click to expand...

Well going back to this, what I would do :shok:...

1. Scandisk since your computer still runs a little, it'll lock out the bad sectors (inpage errors) and prevent windows from writing to them.

2. Defrag. Clean the data up on the good sectors.

3. Try it out... if it doesn't work, find a way to backup your important data like your tf2 and l4d user data / music / porn / XI macros or w/e you might have ;3.

4. RMAing is different with every company and depends on your warranty plan. Mailing a HD (since it's already broken) doesn't cost much as at all, no insurance or anything and sig confirmation is only $3ish? With USPS. If it's still under warranty, it will cost you nothing. Most companies today will even pay for shipping. Which company is it? I can look something up if you haven't.


All of that is for the inpage errors... What other x bluescreen codes are you getting? :(.

Edit: If they dissipate too fast, prevent windows from restarting on faults with that system properties check box.
 
Last edited:
It's a Maxtor.

It's just Kernel Inpage Errors and nondescript Bluescreens, as far as I can remember.
 
Hmm, if it's a Maxtor they make you send the drive in first shipping on your tab.

Or you pay them $19 and they'll send you a new drive first. Then you mail the faulty one back to them within a week.

Try going through event viewer the blue screens are sometimes explained in there under Errors.

Edit: just throwing this in, some comps don't report "Fan error, prevent overheating". I've had blue screens with nothing under them but they were caused due to heating problem which said "Shut down to prevent etc...". Turned out to be unpowered fan.
 
Last edited:
Okay, SeaTools found errors in 2 blocks pre10%, the test stops running when it reaches the second problem block. Repairing doesn't work. So this drive is fucked, eh?
 
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/warranty_&_returns_assistance/

Should be a downloadable program there that tests your HD and spits out an error code if there is any.
Report this code along with your HD's serial number.
They'll provide a RMA number and if their service is the same as it was 5 years ago a DHL barcode.
Send it in (possibly requesting a data recovery, not sure if they still do it) and get a new disk 3 weeks later.
 
Last edited:
Skaw said:
Okay, SeaTools found errors in 2 blocks pre10%, the test stops running when it reaches the second problem block. Repairing doesn't work. So this drive is fucked, eh?
Click to expand...

Smart test = way to know for sure, and yes, if a smart test fails, it's fucked.
 
I've RMA'd a few drives in my time. In my experience, they're pretty much they're waiting for the original one to come back before they sent out the new one. If you're savvy with the tech people, they might send one out before you have to send yours back.

Just in case, run a strong magnet over it before sending it back.
 
crookedmidget said:
I've RMA'd a few drives in my time. In my experience, they're pretty much they're waiting for the original one to come back before they sent out the new one. If you're savvy with the tech people, they might send one out before you have to send yours back.

Just in case, run a strong magnet over it before sending it back.
Click to expand...

I read that in recent tests, even speaker magnets wouldn't wipe a drive.

Rare-earth magnets, maybe though :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top