IBM HDDs

IBM Deskview

I had purchased 5 IBM Model IC35L040AVER07, 40gb for a special project I was working on. These drives were so bad, that to get an RMA from IBM was a real pain. Finally, they replaced them. They marked them "serviceable used part ". Three (3) of these drives failed within 6 weeks, I while setting up a new computer. I have the other 2 still working, but during a leak test on a firewall check, it says the HDD has bad blocks. I can't get an RMA from IBM of these because they have been replaced before. Also, not having a FRU number also makes life difficult. They ask you about this FRU number, or it could be Global, but they don't say about without these FRU numbers. Always make it difficult for the people who are spening the bucks. Arie mentions about throwing it away. I agree with him. Some of my vital data files were copied by a technician and re sold to my competitors. If I can't fix it, I throw it away, or reformat it. Nobody will ever take a HDD out of my home or office again. RMA service is great, but they hassle you all the time. For instance, I was using MAXTOR, who had a very liberal RMA Policy. Then they went into testing and I tested a HDD out with their floppy. The results were bad drive. We forwarded the results. They turned down the RMA. I stopped buying Maxtor products. I have since used at least 22 HDD since. They would have been Maxtor. Not to bright.

Good luck to all

Thanks for all the info

donabano

 

I returned an IBM/Hitachi drive, no trouble getting an RMA, and I got the new drive back as fast as UPS could get it to California and back.

I also got a note on the packing slip with the returned drive, It said I could return it anytime it failed and they would replace it for $1.00 If it fails again, it will not be going back.

This post has given me reason to be concerned. That drive had been "C" and contained all my financials. So far my bank accounts have not been raided, but I had Quicken on the drive, if some dishonest tech could figure out my password, it would be goodbye.

I guess if you have proprietary/financial stuff on a drive and it fails, the prudent thing to do would be take an axe to it, even if it is under warranty. That is what I will do if a drive with those files on it fails.

Martin

 

martinr121

Would exposing the drive to an extremely high level magnetic field create enough scramble to the records... at least for warranty replacement.

 

From my December 1st post:

What happend then was my wife bought me a paper clip holder that had a magnetic base to keep the paperclips in place. I put it on my desk, next to the box of Floppy diskettes that I had stored start up programs, etc. When I went to use any of the diskettes, there was nothing on them. I was really a newbie at the time, so I called a computer friend over who had some experince. He messed around with the drive and the disks for a while getting nowhere. Then he asked: "do you have an magnets around?" and it hit me. Moved the paperclip holder, no more floppy problem.

So far, no response to the magnet/HDD question.

 

Yeah Christer, I suppose that the same is true of any mass marketed manufactured mechanical marvel.

How many times have I heard: "I'll never buy a Ford (Chevy, Saab, Volkswagon, Toyota etc.) again."

My brother, if he could, would burn down the Nissan factory.

I guess we are all at the mercy of the Quality Control department!

Martin