Dell sent refurbished Hard drive - Problems?

Hi,

The Fujitsu 120gb hard disk on my M1330 was replaced by Dell with a refurbished Seagate. Should I worry about refurbs and is this standard operating procedure.

I have complete care package and expected a new drive as this is the most important item on the computer. I don't like surprises, especially since the heat generated from the laptop makes the palmrest(and the hard disk) very warm to the touch.

Thanks.

 

I'd say a refurb Seagate is better than a new Fujitsu anyway...

To be honest, I'm almost positive you cannot even refurb a hard drive...I'm guessing it is brand new with only that little refurb sticker on it.

To be safe, download HD Tune and scan the drive for bad sectors and look at the SMART status...but you are probably fine.

 

Yes. Dell will send parts stamped refurb when doing warranty work. Perfectly normal. If the drive has issues, just call em up again and request another. Should be fine though. I wasn't pleased when Dell sent me a replacement DVD Drive with a 2006 manufacturing date... LOL - but it works fine.

 

First post, Hey all! Was looking for some HP info, and happened onto this Post. I am a PC warranty technician for both HP and Dell through my employer. I wouldn't worry about that "refurbed" drive you got from Dell. An actual bad/defective drive is way too cost prohibitive to repair if it is the platters that are bad in it. If it is the electronics on it (the circuit board), they sometimes replace them, just depends on what is faulty. But in my experience, (10+ years) a "refurbed" drive was just a drive that a sub-par technician thought was bad, but they missed something like a cable, or the software was corrupt, etc. So again, I wouldn't worry. But, I would go ahead and do a full test just to put your mind at ease. I always download the actual manufacturers diagnostics tools and run it.
Refurbed parts are actually pretty normal in the warranty world. It cuts down on costs, that would have otherwise been passed down to the consumer (you and me both). Plus, I would rather have an actual person look over a part, having a hands on inspection, rather then a brand new one, that just gets boxed up by a robot.
Hope that helps!

 

i got a refurb hd in mine its fine. after 21 day return you will prob get refurb on most items.

 

I'm a Dell warranty tech. Surprised the other one didn't know the real story.

Due to a class action suit against HP, all parts that are moved from the bulk packaging which the OEM receives into individual packaging get the "refurb" label since it's no longer in what the courts deemed the "original" packaging.

Dell never refurbishes HDs and motherboards are only cycled twice then tossed.

If you're receiving a pre-imaged HD (blue label instead of yellow), Dell will have had to open it up to put the image on it, but it was a new HD they put the image on.

 

Even before the first cycle, someone used it so its still considered as used.