4 ms·

I've had a similar experience with Seagate - the usual failure is bad-blocks or a huge number of G-list remaps while SMART claims the drive is fine. Also had a

I've had a similar experience with Seagate - the usual failure is bad-blocks or a huge number of G-list remaps while SMART claims the drive is fine. Also had a Barracuda 7200 with the bricking firmware bug and a 7200 which suffered spindle-lock on a test bench and launched itself off the bench, smashing the mounts and cables in the process and came to rest in my lap. I could deal with their quality issues if their RMA process was at least reasonable. With WDC it's a credit card number (if you want an advance RMA) and a web form to request an RMA. With Seagate it's a game to try and buy "official" packaging, a tooth-and-nail fight for an RMA number and a long wait. They actually refused to RMA the spindle-locked drive because the PCB was damaged (well, no duh). Thankfully the supplier was more lenient.

linsomniac 7y ago
Hmm, I've had pretty good luck returning Seagates. Which I'm thankful for, because I have to do it a lot. I pay the few bucks for the advance replacement, something like $7-$15 sticks in my head, and use the packaging that they send the new drive out in to return it.
_jal 7y ago
I've had highly divergent experience with WD drives. My home system using WD Reds has been great. It is larger than a normal home storage box (24 drives), and it gets substantially more use than normal (backing store for a bunch of VMs, mostly). I've replaced one drive in five and a half years. Contrast with storage servers built for work with WD Golds. Those are 45 drives each and used for database backup workloads. We replace about a drive a quarter (of the 90 total), and this has been pretty consistent for a bit over two years. Not sure if I got great Reds or if Golds are just terrible, but that's what I've seen.
- magicalhippo 7y ago
  45 is almost twice that of 24, and WD Gold are 7200 rpm vs 5400 rpm for the WD Reds. So could be the Golds generate too much vibration for their own good?

linsomniac 7y ago

Hmm, I've had pretty good luck returning Seagates. Which I'm thankful for, because I have to do it a lot. I pay the few bucks for the advance replacement, something like $7-$15 sticks in my head, and use the packaging that they send the new drive out in to return it.

_jal 7y ago

I've had highly divergent experience with WD drives. My home system using WD Reds has been great. It is larger than a normal home storage box (24 drives), and it gets substantially more use than normal (backing store for a bunch of VMs, mostly). I've replaced one drive in five and a half years. Contrast with storage servers built for work with WD Golds. Those are 45 drives each and used for database backup workloads. We replace about a drive a quarter (of the 90 total), and this has been pretty consistent for a bit over two years. Not sure if I got great Reds or if Golds are just terrible, but that's what I've seen.

magicalhippo 7y ago
45 is almost twice that of 24, and WD Gold are 7200 rpm vs 5400 rpm for the WD Reds. So could be the Golds generate too much vibration for their own good?