Why would my "new" HDD's anti-static bag have been "breached"?

[marlinman]

I just picked up a 3Tb WD HDD from a local supplier. It was well-enclosed in bubble wrap, and only after leaving did I notice the ASB had been 'violated': 2.5"-long slits appear at the 'connector end' of the bag, on both 'sides' of the ASB. The slits aren't aligned with the power connector so it's not like someone has obviously exposed the connectors for some reason... but I've never come across a new HDD in such a condition before...

Is this acceptable?

 

[Ben90]

If its the correct drive and properly working, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[DirkGently1]

Take pictures, contact WD and ask them. Mention who the supplier was too. There's so much counterfeit goods trade these days that it's a gamble buying from 'local suppliers'.

If there were any doubt in my mind i wouldn't go near it tbh.

 

[bryanl]

Did the drives come in a box that had been slit open with a box cutter?

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

you could always check the S.M.A.R.T. power on hours. That will tell you if it had been run for any amount of time.

 

[lsv]

you could always check the S.M.A.R.T. power on hours. That will tell you if it had been run for any amount of time.

Unless it was wiped because the drive is fake?

 

[razel]

What'd I'd do? Immediately check serial # off WD's website to see if the warranty is still valid. If so then as others have mentioned, plug it in and use it, but when I do, the 1st thing I'd run is WD's Diagnosis. Just do the SMART and quick surface test. If it all checks out, you're good to go.

 

[Level_1]

Check the drive for sticker that's not WD's. It might be the place you bought it from put their company sticker inside so they know it came from them

 

[greenhawk]

Check the drive for sticker that's not WD's. It might be the place you bought it from put their company sticker inside so they know it came from them

+1

some local shops here do it to place their sticker / date of sale onto the drive for warrenty purposes. Just a little more accurate for warrenty purposes than relieing on WD's date of manufacture.

 

[marlinman]

Wow - thanks for all the input. Without further opening the ASB, there's no sign of any 'unusual' stickering. I did notice the drive is dated '06 JUL 2011' tho'!

What'd I'd do? Immediately check serial # off WD's website to see if the warranty is still valid. If so then as others have mentioned, plug it in and use it, but when I do, the 1st thing I'd run is WD's Diagnosis. Just do the SMART and quick surface test. If it all checks out, you're good to go.

Serial number is kosher. The software you mention - is this the 'Data Lifeguard Diagnostic' as seen here:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=608&sid=3&lang=en

?

Did the drives come in a box that had been slit open with a box cutter?

Nope, just drive in ASB 'rolled' in a sheet of bubble wrap and taped.

 

[razel]

yes

 

[marlinman]

The drive passes both the S.M.A.R.T. status and quick tests. Also, the Power-On Hours Count is on 100 (tho' how many days of use is required for this to lower to even 99 is not known to me).

Also, I noticed more 'breaches' in the ASB while connecting drive - mainly a series of slits lying on a straight line down the length of the bag, near a seam. I'm tempted to conclude that the ASB is of such low quality that the act of enclosing the drive tightly in bubble wrap, and possibly packing it tightly alongside other hardware, has caused the drive's edges to open cuts in the bag. Not cool WD, not cool...

Thanks again to all who helped out!

 

[Ben90]

Probably, its not like static from the internal packaging is a huge problem anyways.

 

[Emulex]

if its not retail they are busting open 20pk cartons of bulk drives.