HDD opinions

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FuNkEr

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Hey guys
So my Seagate 500GB failed on Saturday (the faulty firmware). It looks however that I will be able to retrieve my data. Still not sure, but the prospects are there.
Now I need your input... I can RMA the drive since it's still under warranty and take the risk of getting another fault HDD, or should I rather BUY something else?
I've heard some good things about the Samsung HDDs although I am a bit sceptic, since I only know Seagate and Western Digital HDDs.

What are you guys' opinion on all of this?

Thanks in advance!
Rergards.
 
Samsung HDDs is rated number 2 as far as I know. They're good stuff.
As long as you stay away from Maxtor, you'll be fine. ;)
 
What's rated number 1 ?

I bought my Seagate 1TB a few weeks ago, plugged it in and it was clunking from the word 'go'. Swapped it for my first Western Digital drive.
 
I think besides the recent discovery of some faulty Seagate production lines, Seagate was widely regarded as no 1. IMO since they took over Maxtor that has created problems.

Western dig would be my second choice.
 
Samsung! Runs 5 - 8'C cooler than Seagate and Western Digital.

2nd choice go for Western Digital.
 
Thanks for the replies!but do you guys think I should RMA for another Seagate,or rather get a different HDD?
Regards!
 
Quick Question:
If I can get another 500GB HDD with the SD15 firmware and take that pc-board and attach it to my faulty HDD, would I be able to recover the data then, or at least access the drive?
 
FuNkEr said:
Quick Question:
If I can get another 500GB HDD with the SD15 firmware and take that pc-board and attach it to my faulty HDD, would I be able to recover the data then, or at least access the drive?
Click to expand...

In theory you should be OK - but it will void your warranty, and if you fsck it up you'll be without your data + and a replacement drive. I thought Seagate were going to recover the data on these disks, or pay for it/assist/something ?

For your original question, I'd stick with Seagate, they have a good warranty, and despite the recent problems at least they admitted it and have done things to sort it out and assited customers, which shows you they are dedicated.
 
I heard about Seagate's free data recovery service, but I think it only applies to the US? Don't know if there's a Seagate South Africa even?
But thanks for the input ;)
 
FuNkEr said:
I heard about Seagate's free data recovery service, but I think it only applies to the US? Don't know if there's a Seagate South Africa even?
But thanks for the input ;)
Click to expand...

Go to seagate.com and use their site to contact a Seagate consultant, or log a support ticket, I did this with my 500GB to verify if I needed the firmware upgrade or not (not all drives with the firmware mentioned are at fault, only some). I think Drive Control in JHB/DBN (someone correct me here) are the agents for Seagate in SA, so you could also attempt to contact them.
 
I had a thread for my drive as well. I logged a support case with Seagate on the website. They contacted me back within a week telling me that my drive is affected and that their data recovery company, i365, will recover my data and re-activate my drive free of charge. They gave me their number and said I only need to pay for the shipping.

I then promptly went to i365's website to match the number they gave me and found that their branch closest to SA is in AMSTERDAM:mad:. Then I found out that shipping 1kg, to Amsterdam, one way would cost me R1100.

So now it will cost me 3x the price of my 500gig to ship it there and have it repaired free of charge and then shipped back to me. I'll think I'll rather just buy myself a brand new WESTERN DIGITAL 1TB drive.

I am also going to try this fix though -->http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=128807&st=0 with a modified Nokia data cable as soon as I get the guts to do it.:confused: Or if anyone in the Cape Town area want to make a quick buck and who is more clued up about the procedure on that link, please let me know.
 
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