Returning a HDD I've already put data on

azibux1 · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:47

Hi all,

Ordered an internal HDD (not from OcUK) for a RAID setup in my NAS and I ordered a Western Digital WD20EARX and was actually sent a WD20EZRX

I've already started writing to this drive, but I'm considering returning it and buying a bigger one instead

As I've already started writing to it, if I reformat it, with something like DBAN, will a company be able to tell that I've used it?

And would I have rights to return it used anyway as it doesn't match what I ordered? (Yes I know the EZRX is probably slightly better, but that's not the point)

Hope you can help

Subliminal Aura · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:50

Yep.... SMART stats will be there. You could try to flash the drive if you can find the correct firmware

//edit then again return under long distance selling regs

//edit2 WTF is this in GD ? :/ Hand slap the OP please

d_brennen · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:50

If formatted with DBAN, there'd be no data. The drive firmware will be recording power on hours, head flying time and on/off cycles. Whether the retailer will check... unlikely. If it's a recent purchase, you could DSR it, especially as it isn't the product you ordered

azibux1 · 29 Aug 2013 at 21:52

Subliminal Aura said:
Yep.... SMART stats will be there. You could try to flash the drive if you can find the correct firmware

Hmm okay

d_brennen said:
If formatted with DBAN, there'd be no data. The drive firmware will be recording power on hours, head flying time and on/off cycles. Whether the retailer will check... unlikely. If it's a recent purchase, you could DSR it, especially as it isn't the product you ordered

It is recent, only ordered it this week some time and it arrived today.

Return it under DSR even though it has been used?

I say it has been used, but the Synology NAS is currently adding the drive to the RAID setup and 'checking parity consistency', I assume there will be some data on it by now and like you say the SMART stats about the drive time will still be there

EDIT: Yeah it's in GD... Was deciding between hardware or GD as it was just general advice, should have probably been in GH... Oops

UnworthyBean · 29 Aug 2013 at 22:09

azibux1 said:
Hmm okay
Return it under DSR even though it has been used?

Yep, You can still return it. Could just say it was too loud or you didn't like the performance. You could even say you didn't like the colour of it

The wonderful world of consumer rights.

azibux1 · 29 Aug 2013 at 22:11

UnworthyBean said:
Yep, You can still return it. Could just say it was too loud or you didn't like the performance. You could even say you didn't like the colour of it The wonderful world of consumer rights.

Sounds good to me

Haha thanks for the advice

Or I could just say, "I started using it, then saw in my system that it has a different model number to what I ordered" since that's the truth (other than the me changing my mind bit) haha