Help! Buying used hard drive precautions

vampelle

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I'm thinking of buying used hard drive, from a online seller store. He is offering few days checking warranty of his own.
As compare to new they is a price differences.

Now when buying what should I take precautions before picking it up from him and after.

I have an idea but guide me properly.
Using hd tune; what to check that they isn't a bad sector, or if error checking shows no issue but in health they is warning, what does it mean

Anyway to check how old the drive is and how long it have being used.
Have it being used properly or abuse.
Or is it refurbished hard drive or not.
Was it used by a gamer or regular user. And so on.

He is saying it is fresh pieces, n put it in a cover bag.

 
Solution
Hard drives are so cheap why would you ever buy a used one?

There are so many different things that could happen, and aside from looking for bad sectors or running a SMART report (if it was even on or available) there is not much you can do.

Hard drives are almost a consumable item, and most consumer hard drives if it lasts past 5 years you got your money's worth.

Don't risk it.

Rogue Leader

It's a trap!
Moderator
Hard drives are so cheap why would you ever buy a used one?

There are so many different things that could happen, and aside from looking for bad sectors or running a SMART report (if it was even on or available) there is not much you can do.

Hard drives are almost a consumable item, and most consumer hard drives if it lasts past 5 years you got your money's worth.

Don't risk it.
 
Solution

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


What is the price difference over a new one, in your market?
 

vampelle

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Well living in my country lot of used hdd are from local or imported or pulled from branded PC which is imported here,

I did found one with complete local authorised seller warranty but it was surveillance hdd of Seagate.

If I guess in dollars it is $20-30

But since I need all the extra cash, that why this time I'm going for used.

I did bought one of these dell optiplex gx620 with ram, hdd my motherboard give out after 5 years but hdd, ram n rest are a okay.


That why if I know what to look for I can make sure I get something whihc can last me longer.
 

vampelle

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I understand, but unfortunately barracuda or wd blue in new isn't in my range as I wouldn't be able to invest in better ram.