I have just received a WD Red 3TB from an AliExpress dealer and trying to figure out if it is a real Red. The firmware is given as MF8OAC40 and Dashboard/Kitfox recognise it but the serial isn’t found on the WD Warranty check. I have opened a ticket with WD Support but as yet no reply. Anyone help me with this I can send back if not real.
Show us the label and the PCB.
What does CrystalDiskInfo report?
The PCB colour suggests Hitachi / HGST. That also fits the firmware version.
What is the R/N number on the label?
AFAICT, this is what a PCB for that model should look like:
https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/yhst-14437584971410/91710805-19.gif
CDI is reporting a rotational speed of 7200 RPM. Other CDI screenshots report 5400 RPM.
R/N number is 771945. So a re-labelled HGST drive?
That R/N corresponds to a part number of 2060-771945 for the PCB. That’s the same PCB I found. So, yes, you appear to have a HGST drive. When you are ready, show us photos of the label and PCB, preferably both sides if you can.
I have a 2016 Red that has the green PCB and the same part number. Are the HGST drives not as reliable?
IMHO, HGST drives are better, but it remains to be seen whether yours is an older model. It may also be refurbished. More likely it is a junk drive. Why should a counterfeiter care if a drive is reliable?
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Could it be a Blue drive rebadged. How easy is it to reset SMART data as that all shows zero hours and speed tests show 155MB/s instead of Blue’s 120-125MB/s. I have already had a junk drive labelled as 2025 but internal Victoria data was showing 2021.
You can’t fake a speed test. Resetting SMART is easy using pro data recovery tools. As for blue PCBs, I don’t believe WD drives ever used this colour.
Here is another test you could do:
How to determine number of heads using HD Tune:
https://www.hddoracle.com/viewtopic.php?p=1796#p1796
This is your PCB:
https://s.turbifycdn.com/aah/yhst-14437584971410/91711041-18.gif
It’s definitely Hitachi. The PCB suits HUS724020ALE640, HUS724030ALE640 and HUS724040ALE640.
HGST Ultrastar 7K4000:
There is a YYWW (year / week) date code on the component side near the SATA connector. You can see “1229” in the second photo. That’s week 29 of 2012.
This is the result of my fake checker tool:
C:\>wdfakchk.exe m=WD30EFRX-68EUZN0 s=WC3K20AA06K6 d=1E05RFVGP
Model Number: WD30EFRX-68EUZN0
Serial Number: WC3K20AA06K6
DCX: 1E05RFVGP
Model, serial, and DCX are inconsistent.
Drive is probably a fake.
This is what the original label of your drive looked like:
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/618upINIArL.jpg
Notice that your WD label now covers the hole at the bottom right. This should not be covered.
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First one I got was easy to spot said WCD instead of WDC in CrystalDiskInfo. Label said Jan 2025 but drive data said 2021
But what is this one? A refurb or made up of spare parts will wait for WD Support to have final say.
Is that the breathe hole?
Yes, that’s the breather.
As for the other fake, I need to see the PCB and label, as before.
I have returned it for refund. Which most likely will happen with this Hitachi from god knows when. There is another on route from same seller I will take pics when it arrives.
Well there is a turn up. I contacted WD via chat and sent a picture of the front. The agent said its a genuine drive with 5 year warranty and has registered it with WD after sending proof of Purchase. Case closed.
Apparently not after chasing this another chat agent said it has been escalated and they will get back to me in 1 Business day.
Now I am told they are unable to tell me if it authentic because it was bought through a Chinese website.
That’s hilarious!
Did you make these WD agents aware of your thread?
