Samsung RMA?

Nameless_87 · 16 Apr 2011 at 10:29

Hi

I have a Samsung F3 HDD. It is about a year and a half old.

I did an error check with HD Tune and there are 2 bad sectors (in red).

Also, windows 7 always tells me to backup my drive cause it is about to fail.

Is this enough to get an RMA?

Thanks

CaptainCrash · 16 Apr 2011 at 11:01

Yes, assuming you're covered by the 3-year warranty... check here.

If it's a "grey import", you might get the "Code 103: The product has been brought in from outside of this service region and cannot be serviced. Please contact your reseller or distributor" response. In that case, you'll have to go back to the retailer you bought it from - most reputable retailers will still cover you for the advertised warranty period (as they should), but in some cases it may involve more hassle than it's worth.

cyber69 · 16 Apr 2011 at 11:05

I've RMA'd a grey import Samsung F3 1TB with another retailer and got it swapped no hassle. Not sure about OCuK's policy on swapping these out if they are grey imports.

Nameless_87 · 16 Apr 2011 at 11:48

Sorry for the noob question but what is a grey import?

Also, do I have to give them some sort of proof that the drive has bad sectors or something?

Thanks

CaptainCrash · 16 Apr 2011 at 12:17

Grey imports are bought (legally) from overseas through unofficial channels, not directly from the manufacturer and their designated wholesalers - it can work out cheaper depending on the source and distribution method. The downside of the practice is that it's not sanctioned by the manufacturer (who may have their own wholesale price in mind for a particular market), therefore they offer no support.

As for the RMA, you don't *have* to offer any proof, just explain the problem (if asked to do so).

Nameless_87 · 16 Apr 2011 at 12:19

ok so it is safe to rma with only 2 bad sectors?

This is my first time RMAing a drive and don't know what the policy is regarding how much bad sectors or bad MB you need to have before you can RMA it. Any idea on this?

Thanks

CaptainCrash · 16 Apr 2011 at 12:31

Just one visible bad sector should be enough for an RMA - all drives have some bad sectors, but they're normally remapped by the drive's firmware and the OS should never see them. The fact that a Windows utility is now finding them probably means that any spare space put aside by the firmware for remapping has been "used up", and the drive is in a bad way.

You could run Samsung's ESTool utility if you want to provide more evidence and cover all your bases, but I think it will just confirm what you already know.

Nameless_87 · 17 Apr 2011 at 15:56

Just took a screenshot...

So with this I can get an RMA?

Thanks