Does This Look Like A Good Maxtor Or Junk?

[whazzzdat]

I bought a 20gb Maxtor HDD for my back up computer from Target PC Inc. I got it and it said Maxtor right on it. But it failed in less than 20 hours of use. So I sent it back under warranty and got a replacement under warranty from Target PC Inc. But this one does not say Maxtor on it and it looks different than the first one they sent me. Below is a photo of it. I should have know something was wrong when the add said "6 month warranty with Target PC Inc. not Maxtor."

I don't want to waste my time putting bad parts in a computer. Do you think I should try to send it back becasue it does not say Maxtor?
http://www.myfilestash.com/userfiles...t/HDD.jpeg.JPG

[EzyStvy]

Searching on the model number take you straight to Maxtor.

It looks old and used?

[glc]

Please read the forum rules. We have a limit on inline image size, and yours exceeded that limit by several times. I converted it to a link.

- Moderator -

That is what's called a "white label" drive. If you run the serial number at Maxtor's site, you will find that there's no Maxtor warranty. The only warranty on a white label drive is whatever the vendor chooses to give you, and the vendor's ad indicated this. I don't think you can send it back without a restocking fee - you do have a Maxtor-manufactured drive with a 6 month vendor warranty, just what the ad said. Doesn't sound like a vendor I would like to do business with though, most white label drives I've seen have a 1 year warranty. I'm guessing the price was quite low?

[whazzzdat]

I appologize for putting in too large an image. I wasn't aware of the size rule. Thanks for changing it to a link for me glc.

The drive cost $31.00 plus $5.78 shipping and handling. Thanks for the advice I will know better next time and won't buy anything without the manufacturer's warranty again.

I have not had any problem with white box parts before. What got me dissatisfied with it was the first drive said Maxtor on the label but the replacement does not say Maxtor on it like they are ashamed of it or something.

Do you think HDDs without the manufacturer's warranty are defective in some way or second rate to start with? Or do you suppose the factory just sells them cheaper becasue they won't have any warranty replacement costs with them?

[glc]

Exactly - white box drives are manufactured with no warranty for sale to OEM's. In fact, if you open up a Dell and get the serial number off the hard drive, even though it's branded (WD, Maxtor, whatever) you will find it has no manufacturer's warranty - the only warranty on it is from Dell. The "OEM" hard drives you buy from reputable vendors such as Newegg carry manufacturer's warranties. So - there are really 2 types of OEM components. Any vendors selling white box drives are getting them surplus from major OEM's, not from the drive manufacturers.

You actually made out quite well - Geeks.com sells assorted used 20 gig drives with a 90 day warranty for 29 bucks plus shipping. At least you got a "new" drive with a 6 month warranty.

3BTech sells a 20 gig for 31.99 shipped with a 1 year warranty, it's a while label MDC, but it's a Maxtor 7200 pm drive. Shoot...80 gigger's are only 46.00.

[whazzzdat]

I would have gotten a 40gb or an 80gb HDD but it was for an older computer that would not work with anything over 20 or 30gb.

[glc]

That's a very good reason to hunt a 20 or a 30 down. A lot cheaper than buying a PCI card *and* a drive.