Faulty HDDs, warranties & returns...

[that_punk_guy]

So, I had this Maxtor die on me, with 2 and a half years left on its warranty. The exact same model as Im>bE's failed drive IIRC. At first I just didn't understand why I couldn't install a Linux dual-boot on the damn thing, but I just figured it was down to BIOS settings or something. (Yep, I realise at this point I have mentioned PCs, but this problem is platform-agnostic, I promise.)

Anyway, it came time to reformat the thing and I couldn't install Win2K on an NTFS partition. And when I finally got it on a FAT partition, it lost data and screwed up again. Another drive in the same machine, and it works just fine. What's disturbing is that Maxtor's own PowerMax software detects no problems with the drive, therefore won't give me the diagnostic code I need to return it to them. And even if it did, AFAIK I'd only get another useless Maxtor drive back.

So I go to the supplier. EBuyer tell me that because I've had the drive longer than 30 days, they will only swap it for another, idential pile of excrement. Given the fact that even without actively researching on the net for instances of this drive failing, I know of several cases where Maxtor drives have failed in the same way, the chances of me trusting important data to an identical drive are nil.

Should I just throw the bloody thing out of the window? I could derive some pleasure from that, at least. I'd probably feel less agitated than I have these last couple of days too, it could be a good thing.

I don't know what the likelihood is that eBuyer will make an exception to their policy in this matter (I basically asked if I could have the Western Digital 80GB instead, but they said no) but I suppose there's no harm in badgering them... ;-)

[Lo]

hmmm..wrap it in a rag and fly it against a concrete wall a few times...  Then try PowerMax?
  I have had great experiences with 2 & 1/2 year old Maxtors, they always replace them with much bigger hardrives. :-)

[logicalheart]

Gee, you had a Maxtor fail?  Me too.  In fact, I've had problems will all of these IDE manufacturers: Seagate, Samsung, Maxtor.  I stick with Western Digital.  I've not had one of their drives fail yet.  I've found that it is much more of a problem to try and deal with warranties, than it is to just get a good piece of hardware.  So, here is another vote towards further destruction of the drive and the purchase of a Western Digital device.

[Linchpin]

Hmm never had a problem with my Maxtor, its an old 3.3 gb drive, been formatted hundreds of times (literally), still no problems.

Maybe i got a good one :-)

[voytech]

@TPG:
Don't throw it away! Simply, take the disk they're offering you, and if the new will fail again (you have to make it fail before 30 days of getting it) you'll have to take it back, and tell them that this time it's less than 1 mth, and you demand other manufacturers product..

Yes, I know, it's stupid, but my buddy did this and he gota Western Digital 20GB larger (he had to pay 20bucks more)..:-D  :-D

But then you'll have to abhor with the other Maxtor disk about a month..
 :-)

[Ilwrath]

What's disturbing is that Maxtor's own PowerMax software detects no problems with the drive, therefore won't give me the diagnostic code I need to return it to them. And even if it did, AFAIK I'd only get another useless Maxtor drive back.

Hmm...  Well, personally, what I'd do is hook about 12VDC to a few random pins on the IDE interface.  That oughta scramble the logic board enough that the PowerMax software will spit out some diagnostic codes.  Plus acts of random destruction are fun.  Not quite as satisfying as tossing it out a window, crushing it under 5,000 pounds, or impaling a large spike through it, but fun, none-the-less.

Then, hook the drive back up, and jot down the new diagnostic code and send the drive back to Maxtor.  You're right that they'll probably replace it with another similiar drive, but who doesn't need more temporary storage?  As I read your post, it looks like you've already bought a new system drive.  Just use the new Maxtor you get back as a swap partition and temporary storage, scratch disk, and downloads, etc...  If/When it fails, you can repeat the above procedure with minimal effort.  Cost the company some $$$.  ;-)

[that_punk_guy]

Ilwrath wrote:

As I read your post, it looks like you've already bought a new system drive.  Just use the new Maxtor you get back as a swap partition and temporary storage, scratch disk, and downloads, etc...  If/When it fails, you can repeat the above procedure with minimal effort.  Cost the company some $$$.  ;-)

Heh heh :-)

Well ATM I have the 10G drive from my spare PC in this one, which means I can't install everything I want as well as have space to work on HD recording and things. And all my precious data is sat in what was my webserver, on another 10G, a Maxtor of all things! Which is scary, but that one at least seems to have stood the test of time.

[Argo]

You could return is for another one as you stated then sell it to try to recoup some of your money for a drive of another brand. Though if you feel that the product line is flawed and dooming each drive to premature failure, I could see a moral problem there in passing such a product on.

[Sparky]

Sheesh what do you guys do to disks ?  :-)

I've been piddling around with computers with hard disks for 13 years now and never ever ever had a home hard disk die on me.

You don't all have Van der Graaf generators lying around at home do you ?  Or like to turn iron bars into filings in your living room ? :-)

[that_punk_guy]

Argo wrote:
You could return is for another one as you stated then sell it to try to recoup some of your money for a drive of another brand.

Nah, there's no way I could live with myself...

[Tomas]

I would nag the store a bit more if i was you... Dont let them get away this easy  ;-)