Storage device RMA problem: can not erase data before sending in for RMA

[abovewood]

I have two SanDisk Cruzer Micro USB flash drives, one is 1gb, the other is 2gb. One after another, each became defected after less than 9 months.


The 1gb drive has lot of my personal information, copies of bank statements and work data on it. All data can be read normally but can not be delete and the drive can not be formatted.

The 2gb was full of data as well. Now I can't read from it or write or format it.

Is it safe to RMA them and trust SanDisk will respect my privacy?

Also, If my hard drive dies with 100s of gb of data on it, can I trust WD/Seagate not to look in to what is on the drive?

What would you do in this situation?


One thing is certain, no more SanDisk product for me.

 

[Tarrant64]

I'd ask myself how much am I willing to spend to keep my personal data private. 1gb and 2gb USB flash drives are getting cheaper and cheaper. You should save yourself a hassle and just replace those with maybe a 4gb USB flash drive.

Just a thought.


As far as the hard drive goes, I would like to think if I could get a utility to run on it such as DBAN(dave boot and nuke...i believe that's the term) all will be fine, even if it is dying. Else, if it's impossible to get any information without going to extreme measures, I would trust they'd trash it same as you would.

 

[Zepper]

They should have a written policy re. the protection of customer data. If you can't find it on the web site, ask them for it. Read their privacy policy - it might be in there.

.bh.

 

[abovewood]

Here is the reply from SanDisk:

==================================================

Thank you for your update. Please be advised that SanDisk RMA policy is to repair/ replace products under warranty, once the defective product is received in one piece. We do not review data, nor provide data recovery on the defective device as they are probably unrecoverable/ viewable.

We will make an exception for you to return the product in broken pieces. To provide you with a sense of security, you may break the SanDisk defective device and ship it back to us. Also, please print out and include this update so that our Receiving Department does not reject your RMA.

Thank you for choosing SanDisk. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again for your future Flash Data storage needs.

Best regards,
RMA Coordinator ILT
SanDisk Corporation

 

[ROcHE]

So basically you can smash it and they will replace it anyway?

That's nice of them

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: abovewood
Is it safe to RMA them and trust SanDisk will respect my privacy?

Also, If my hard drive dies with 100s of gb of data on it, can I trust WD/Seagate not to look in to what is on the drive?

I'd give that a no, and double no.

Originally posted by: abovewood
We will make an exception for you to return the product in broken pieces. To provide you with a sense of security, you may break the SanDisk defective device and ship it back to us. Also, please print out and include this update so that our Receiving Department does not reject your RMA.

Make sure you break the actual flash chip into as many pieces as possible - they can still recover if only the case and surrounding components are broken.

 

[stogez]

Just curious but would a microwave kill the drive?
I would just put it in the toaster oven and melt it down🙂

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: stogez
Just curious but would a microwave kill the drive?
I would just put it in the toaster oven and melt it down🙂

Yes irradiation for a few seconds (where you hear snapping and may see a few wisps of smoke) will do it in.

 

[Boyo]

break it....

 

[Frintin]

LOL

That sounds like fun!

I was getting ready to say put it in the microwave for 40 seconds!

Salt water also corrodes the chips easily.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: Frintin
LOL

That sounds like fun!

I was getting ready to say put it in the microwave for 40 seconds!

Salt water also corrodes the chips easily.

Beware! Some chilling pictures were recovered *months* after the Tsunami disaster from a digicam that was found buried in the sand. It was an unfortunate tourist that was taking pictures of seemingly harmless but strange surf. Only to become overwhelmed and a casualty. 🙁

Months later the camera was discovered and the memory card removed and cleaned up by a recovery specialist and all pictures were found intact! Flash memory is surprisingly durable! But a good ole zap will usually do it in.