Returning a dead drive to Maxtor without code

[Wisp]

Recently had a 300GB SATA drive fail on me and the drive is still within
guarantee, however Maxtor wont accept the drive without a code from the
diagnostic software.

The trouble is the drive in question locks up the machine if it is
connected so there is no way to get a code. A local retailer suggested
using the code "D34D" or "D3AD" (ie DEAD in L33t speak) , but are they
really likely to accept the drive?

If not are there any other way to persuade Maxtor to replace this drive?

 

[Rod Speed]

Recently had a 300GB SATA drive fail on me and the drive is still within guarantee, however Maxtor
wont accept the drive without a code from the diagnostic software.

The trouble is the drive in question locks up the machine if it is
connected so there is no way to get a code. A local retailer
suggested using the code "D34D" or "D3AD" (ie DEAD in L33t speak) ,
but are they really likely to accept the drive?

If not are there any other way to persuade Maxtor to replace this drive?

Threaten them with the small claims court. That will light a fire under the fools.

 

[Paul Rubin]

The trouble is the drive in question locks up the machine if it is
connected so there is no way to get a code. A local retailer
suggested using the code "D34D" or "D3AD" (ie DEAD in L33t speak) ,
but are they really likely to accept the drive?

Run the software without the drive attached. It will hopefully give a
code saying the drive isn't there. Use that code.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Recently had a 300GB SATA drive fail on me and the drive is still within
guarantee, however Maxtor wont accept the drive without a code from the
diagnostic software.

The trouble is the drive in question locks up the machine if it is
connected so there is no way to get a code. A local retailer suggested
using the code "D34D" or "D3AD" (ie DEAD in L33t speak) , but are they
really likely to accept the drive?

If not are there any other way to persuade Maxtor to replace this drive?

The last time I did this, there was a path through the RMA form that
allowed to get an RMA number without an error code. I take it you
called them?

Try on the web. There should be some failure mode like "disk is
not seen" that does not require a code. Once you have an RMA number,
you can mail the drive.

Before you do so, you should check whether it is worthwhile, e.g.
what your shipping charges will be, whether you will have to pay
customs fees (Maxtor used to ship with UPS. They did pay customs
despite clear labeling as "warranty replacement". UPS also
charges something like 15USD for cutoms processing and it
is as good as impossible to get that back in practice...)
and what a comparable drive would cost new from a better
manufacturer (Samsung, Seagate).

Arno

 

[Arno Wagner]

Run the software without the drive attached. It will hopefully give a
code saying the drive isn't there. Use that code.

Good idea. Unfortunately, it does not work with the old Maxtor
software. That only gives codes if it detects a drive. Maybe
they have something better now...

Arno

 

[Paul Rubin]

Good idea. Unfortunately, it does not work with the old Maxtor
software. That only gives codes if it detects a drive. Maybe
they have something better now...

Gack. That means Maxtor gets to refuse to RMA a completely dead drive
that doesn't respond to the diagnostic? Blech.

 

[Arno Wagner]

Gack. That means Maxtor gets to refuse to RMA a completely dead drive
that doesn't respond to the diagnostic? Blech.

Actually if you went throught the web-site RMA form there were
failure modes you coukd select that did not require a code. I
remember doing this and having the drive replaced by Maxtor.

Arno

 

[Paul Rubin]

Actually if you went throught the web-site RMA form there were
failure modes you coukd select that did not require a code. I
remember doing this and having the drive replaced by Maxtor.

Well, that would solve the OP's problem too .