Ripped on EBAY! New WD HD just clicks. What to do?

[murph]

Adding to my HD adventures, I bought a full new system on ebay that included what was supposed to be a new 80gig WD caviar HD. Well system arrives and the HD does nothing but a series of 4 clicks over and over again, in this new machine and checked in mine as well. I also checked it with just the power cable attached and it still just clicks.

So does this mean the HD is toast? It figures that the ebay seller has now apparently gone bankrupt so return is out of the question. Do these WD hd's come with an automatic warranty or anything? It is less than 1 yr old. The whole machine did not come with any paperwork on any of the components though.

Is there any way for me to return this to WD? Or to get it working? Or did I just get royally ripped?

[njskatchmo]

Hard drive warranties normally only apply to original purchaser only. But I would just RMA and "pretend" you bought it first. Don't lie about it just never bring it up. See what they say. If not it looks like youll have to buy a new hard drive.

P.S. - Send the seller harrassing letters, jk

[murph]

LOL, I tried to send the seller harrassing emails but all I got was a reply from a bankruptcy company that I was now a creditor!

How do you "RMA" something? Do I call WD?

So if a HD clicks it is definitely toast? No way to fix?

[njskatchmo]

I have no idea what this clicking is, but its prolly the drive head trying to find the data. Have you tried formattign and installing an OS? RMAing is replacing defective parts for the same part. Just check Western Digital's website and see what their policies are.

[Iman74]

HDD clicking is hardly ever good. There are some HDD's that make noises that are common, but after awhile you know what sound is bad versus which one is normal. All and all try the RMA idea, and if can't get anywhere with Ebay, then just cut your losses and buy another HDD from newegg or someother place like that.

[murph]

I should add that the drive wil not even been detected so I am assuming then that there is no way to format or check it further? It is always a series of 4 clicks, then a break, then 4 more clicks etc.

[njskatchmo]

If its not beign detected make sure the Master slave settings are correct, and if its cable select make sure that it uses the correct cable. Why was this sold to you if it wasn't tested first?

[murph]

NJS - how do I do those 2 things you suggested?

As to why it was sold to me...well I'm a little smarter now when it comes to ebay and ripoffs

[glc]

Call Western Digital, they will go by the serial number to determine warranty coverage. Even the cheap WD drives have a 1 year warranty, premium drives are 3 year.

A word of advice for the future - don't buy "new" computers off Ebay unless you can verify the vendor's reputation independently. If you want to buy a prebuilt computer, stick with the major mail order vendors (Dell, Gateway) or local system builders that have an established business with a good reputation.

[njskatchmo]

look at the label on top of the hard drive, see what it says about master/slave/cable select. Then compare the jumepr settings to see what its set as. IT should if it's the only device on teh IDE channel (the only drive hdd or optical plugged into the same ide cable. The ide cable is most likely either a round coloured cable or a grey ribbon.

(edit)

On the back of the HDD there is a little panel of pins. It should be about 2 x 4 or 2 x 5. Match up whichc pins have to be conencted for master/slave/cable select. etc. Report back when you find out what its set to.

[murph]

NJS - gee you people are really educating me here!

OK, let me see if I get this straight! By the "back" of the HD do you mean the end of it where the cable plugs into? And then are you speaking of the row of 10 pins beside where the cable plugs in? If so, at least I know where you are talking about

Now, on those 10 pins there is this little white thing set across 2 of the pins. Is that what I am looking for?

I see the writing on the label re jumper settings but I really don't know what it all means.

Could you walk me thru it some more?

thanks!!!!

[njskatchmo]

that white thing is a jumper. See if it says on teh label somethign about master slave or cable select, if not see if maybe there is one right above, next to, or under those 10 pins. Look for anythign relatign to master/slave/Cable select

(edit)

when you bought it did ist say it came with an OS? Have you tried botting from a disc and formatting? If not it could be that simple problem

[glc]

If the drive is clicking with the IDE ribbon cable REMOVED and you have tried reseating the power connector, don't even bother checking jumpers, the drive is defective, period. Call WD.

[kissfan]

If you log on to the WD website, you can check the warranty status and create an RMA.

They will send you all the packing and delivery details.

NOTE You will get a 'refurbished' unit back, if your drive prooves to be faulty.

HTH

[murph]

Ugh, I did check the wd site and typed in the serial number and it is OUT of warranty! The manufacture date on there is August of 2002 but it says the warranty expired in November 2002???? That's all you get is a 3 month warranty?

So now what do I do, throw it in the garbage? Is it literally unfixable or do people repair things like this?

[Iman74]

The cost of repair if at all possible will cost you a few hdd's to fix. Go get a new one and don't buy through Ebay again.

But, if you take it appart, the HDD disks make great mirrors

They do, I had a few in my cube.

[njskatchmo]

LOL, talk aobut "thinking out of the box"

[kissfan]

It sounds like you were sold a refurbished in the rig you bought.

You may have no choice but, to buy a new one. Sorry.

Some here may remember, I posted a while back about buying from E-Bay.............

[glc]

Yep - refurbs have a 90 day warranty. Sorry, but you got ripped off.