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Resolved Question

Segate RMA Hdd Arrived With SMART Warning

by Feb 16, 2014 5:08PM PST

Hello,
I just received my replacement 2.5" 500GB HDD from Seagate RMA (replacing Samsung NH-M500MBB that tripped SMART).

To check it I started Seatools for DOS short test - I immediately received a "Pretest Failure Warning" popup saying "An over temperature condition was detected prior to ther test starting" and "The drive is or has been at or above 70 degrees C" and asked whether I'd liked to continue with the test or not.
BTW 70 deg c is 158 deg F, its like putting it in the oven...

1. Is this normal? Shouldn't Seagate reset SMART info for their company refurbished HDD's which they send as warranty replacements?

2. If this replacement drive breaks down before the original warranty ends - would I be denied RMA due to the over-temperature condition even though I did not cause it - I received it like this?

3. Would SMART even trip to justify RMA with this condition set?

I'm worried because apparantly there is no timestamp on the over-temperature condition that happened, otherwise the popup would have specified the time and not something vauge like "now or in the past".

Thanks for any help,
raananh

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3 Posts
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Start the RMA process immediately
by Feb 16, 2014 7:14PM PST

I consider a "refurbished" hard drive to always be suspect. From what I understand, a SMART trip means that all spare allocation units are in use and no more data can be relocated by this protective feature. To me, a SMART trip means it's time to get a new drive. Seagate, and probably other manufacturers, will even send a refurbished drive to replace a brand new one that fails within a few days of use. I wonder what the refurb process is as no one is going to open these things and do any comprehensive diagnosis and repair.

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I RMA'ed (again) this morning, thanks!
by raananh Feb 18, 2014 5:16PM PST

To send a faulty replacement HDD is not what I'd expect from a respected company to do.
I RMA'ed again this morning. Wonder what Seagate sends me next...
raananh

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Unfortunately, that's standard
by LFDRPro Mar 12, 2014 8:38AM PDT

Unfortunately, sending failing drives as RMA replacement is the industry standard. Seagate just happens to sell the most drives.
My suggestion would be to get the rescue and replace for 25$ and intentionally trash the drive before the warranty expires, rinse and repeat.

However, since even Seagate's once prestigious Data Recovery Services are now being outsourced, MAKE SURE to keep a good and verified backup.

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