Returning a faulty hard drive

[laserblazer]

This follows on from a previous thread. The drive is faulty in a Toshiba laptop and is bing replaced under warranty. The drive is dead, nothing recognises. They want the faulty one returned but I've no idea what's on it and I can't clean it. Would I be within my rights to refuse to return it unless I've flattened it with a sledge hammer first?

[sparkeh]

I was in exactly the same position with a Toshiba hard drive return, I smashed with hammer. They never questioned it but I was prepared to argue that we have a duty to protect/destroy sensitive data.

[AngryTechnician]

I doubt they will have a problem - they want the returned drive as proof it is an actual replacement and that you aren't just fleecing the warranty for extra drives.

 

Can you discreetly unscrew the casing and do something nasty to the platters while leaving the casing undamaged?

[apeo]

Wouldn't obvious/deliberate damage break the warranty agreement?

[laserblazer]

I've just realised that the staff all sign the AUP that says sensitive/confidential information must not be stored in an unencrypted format. So that should be ok then!!!

[sparkeh]

I've just realised that the staff all sign the AUP that says sensitive/confidential information must not be stored in an unencrypted format. So that should be ok then!!!

Heh, depends if you believe that or not

[Arthur]

For a small fee, Dell offers a 'keep your hard drive' service when purchasing PCs that enables you to keep the drive if it's faulty. Does Toshiba do anything similar? If so, it might be worth keeping in mind for the future if you are worried about unencrypted data falling into the wrong hands.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/zd2YV.png

[laserblazer]

Here's the reponse from Toshiba:

 

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

We can assure you that the data on your faulty hard drive will be completely destroyed and will not be use in any purpose. However, if you wish to retain the faulty hard drive, then you may be invoiced for the cost of the replacement part

 

[north-ict]

Here's the reponse from Toshiba:

 

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

We can assure you that the data on your faulty hard drive will be completely destroyed and will not be use in any purpose. However, if you wish to retain the faulty hard drive, then you may be invoiced for the cost of the replacement part

 

Can they issue you with a certificate or something upon its confirmed wiping/destruction? If so would that be a viable solution?