Seagate Warranty Returns

[Samaliel]

Hello everyone,

My main HDD recently began to show sign it would fail and, while I was trying to make an emergency back-up, it died. My computer is now running SLAX from a thumb drive, but still couldn't access the data on my HDD, so I guess it is indeed FUBAR.

I knew it wouldn't be under store warranty (it's about 18 months old), so I looked up the serial number on the manufacturer's (Seagate) website. Turns out its manufacturer warranty still good for about 3 more years.

So, here's my question: has any one here ever dealt with Seagate for a return under warranty? If not, any advice how I should handle it?

I was sort of hoping they would be sending out a return box, but having waited for a while and then re-read their return policy and tips, it seems I misread that part.

As a matter of fact, they strongly suggest I order a package from TransPac. I'm a bit reluctant to do so, because they're abroad and I apparently need to make payment over the phone. It's not very convenient and would add another cost to that return.

I strongly believe it would still be cheaper than purchasing a whole new 500GB 7200rpm S-ATA drive, but I wouldn't want to make the expense to be told that whatever caused my HDD to fail isn't covered under warranty.

Any piece of information or advice is very much welcome!

[Broomjockey]

From a quick look at the page, it seems they have a "verify warranty" section that includes some troubleshooting.

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/sup..._&_submit_rma/

If it qualifies for an RMA, that'd likely be your best bet, assuming you can get the packaging cheap.

However, personally, from a non-logical standpoint, I'd look at all the effort involved, say "fuck it," and buy a new HDD at the store since they're relatively cheap, and it'd be way faster. As for your data, if there's anything on there that you really need, have you tried the freezer trick?

[RichS]

I've dealt with Seagate warranty returns, both at work and personally.

As long as you follow their RMA procedure from the link that Broomjockey provided, you should be fine. You might have to hook up the drive and run their SeaTools software.

After you get an RMA, you might want to see if they do an advance replacement, where they send the replacement drive first, then you use the packaging the replacement drive came in to send the bad drive back to them. I don't know if they still do that, since it's been awhile since I've personally had to send a drive out, and the one that was sent out at work recently my boss handled.

[Samaliel]

What's the freezer trick?

I seem to qualify for RMA, but not advance replacement, since it's only available in the USA, and I'm on the other side of the pond (France).

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll try and keep you updated.

[Broomjockey]

What's the freezer trick?

Remove hard drive, place hard drive in freezer overnight, hook up to computer in morning, work from liveCD. Quickly.

No, this is not a joke.

[Der Cute]

I did a Seagate return very recently.

What i did:

Go to seagate website
find the return / rma link
get my old bork drive out
put in the model/serial number to find out if it's eligible.
it was
print out the send off address for seagate
find box with padding
send to seagate

week later, I got an email on status of return "its on the way back"
shows up fine and dandy.

Seagate = easy return

Cutenoob

[Broomjockey]

Seagate = easy return

Cutenoob

Yes, but when it's "postage for rather heavy box from France to US," easy is secondary to cheap. Depending on the size of the drive, and the cost of box+packing materials+postage it might be cheaper and faster to just buy a new one.

[Der Cute]

Sorry, missed that small detail

[Samaliel]

About SeaTools : I'd have gladly run it, but there is no Linux version able to test S-ATA drives, and have no way to hook it up to my laptop (an EeePC).

Broomjockey, I'd agree with you, but I'm in a rather tight spot, money-wise, at the moment, so I have to try and save any money I can. 40€ - 50€ might not seem like much but it is a pretty significative dent in my monthly budget. In any other circumstances, I would probably have just gone and bought a new HDD.

That said, there is a return location in France, so I don't have to send it overseas. I still have to find a suitable box with sufficient padding. The ones they recommend on their website (those from TransPac) cost 7.63€ (shipping included), but still need to call in the UK to make payment for it. I'll try to figure out how much the postage will cost, and will decide accordingly.

Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated!

[Broomjockey]

That said, there is a return location in France, so I don't have to send it overseas.

Hey, score! Good luck! I know how much a HDD failure sucks. Hope this resolves well for ya