X30 Hard Drive -- HGST vs. IBM STD

[ThinkpadEsq]

My X30 (2672-4BU) has a HD that is dying (making grinding noises, etc.). IBM Tech support is sending me a replacement, and the FRU # of the one they have in stock is 13N6705. I just looked up this HD, and found that it is made by HGST, and that my original HD is an IBM.

Is this HGST one of any lesser/inferior quality, in any way? Should I complain and ask them to send me an IBM one of a bigger size?

Thanks!

[ychandrani]

HGST = Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. HGST now owns IBM's harddrive division and makes drives using IBM's harddrive technologies. HGST branded and IBM drives are of equal quality so I wouldn't worry.

Only suggestion is that you make back ups of all your data files on another drive or media such as CD or DVD (re)writable so that you can transfer these to the replacement soon after it arrives.

Also, note that the IBM warranty (and warranties from most other manufacturers) entails replacement of defective parts with like/similar working parts; i.e. IBM will replace a defective 40GB drive with a working (not necessarily new) 40GB drive and IBM is under no obligation to fulfil a request from you for a 60GB or 80 GB drive.

[ThinkpadEsq]

Thanks!

Only suggestion is that you make back ups of all your data files on another drive or media such as CD or DVD (re)writable so that you can transfer these to the replacement soon after it arrives.

Yea, I have Norton Ghost and the 2nd HDD Adapter. One thing about that -- I recall a long time ago I did this, and the Windows XP activation caused me problems of some sort. Any tips on how to avoid this?

Also, note that the IBM warranty (and warranties from most other manufacturers) entails replacement of defective parts with like/similar working parts; i.e. IBM will replace a defective 40GB drive with a working (not necessarily new) 40GB drive and IBM is under no obligation to fulfil a request from you for a 60GB or 80 GB drive.

Is this really the norm, with sending out used parts? Usually when I've had replacement parts they new to me (usually the manufacturing date is on there, and is relatively recent). Or just something I should be aware of?

[ychandrani]

Yea, I have Norton Ghost and the 2nd HDD Adapter. One thing about that -- I recall a long time ago I did this, and the Windows XP activation caused me problems of some sort. Any tips on how to avoid this?

I don't see how windows product activation would be a problem if you used ghost to create an image. IBM preloads the OEM version of XP and when you create an image using ghost and then restore it to the same or different drive, then the OS should not require activation. And as far as I know, Win XP Pro OEM versions upto SP1 did not require activation.

In any case, assuming that you still have the IBM installed OS files on your system, you can go into i386 directory on your harddrive and open up a file called unattend.txt and look for the Windows product key. Note this key down and use it instead of the one on the sticker at the bottom of your x40.

Is this really the norm, with sending out used parts? Usually when I've had replacement parts they new to me (usually the manufacturing date is on there, and is relatively recent). Or just something I should be aware of?

You should be aware of it. I am not saying that IBM will definitely send you a 'used' part. Their obligation is to send you a part that has the same specs and performance as the original; and a part that works. In some cases this might mean that a part that is not 'brand new' will be sent out. I wouldn't worry about it because IBM's tech support is generally very good and the odds that they will send you a bum drive are pretty low.