What recertified means?

Internal Drives WD Red
1

Is there an explanation of what’s a recertified HDD?
(please do not reply the useless explanation: “are repaired drives tested by the manufacturer”).

I mean, which range of power-on hours you can expect? From 0 to warranty expiration? Or even more?

No one would buy a car tagged “recertified” and no other data available (e.g. miles). Exactly the same for HDDs. So a SERIOUS explanation would be great.

2

It’s a gamble. Buy from reputable sources that offer a warranty/return policy.

You can read the “mileage” on a HDD but you need to connect it to a PC and run special software (some are available free) to read the “Power On Count” and “Power On Hours”. Of course, this is after the purchase.

Here’s an example from a 2.5:" WD Scorpio drive manufactured in 2012.

hdd count
hdd count667×303 53.8 KB

Same thing with “Certified Pre owned” vehicles. You have no idea if the odometer has been altered or anything else to hide issues. You depend on the reputation of the dealer.

3

You found a bogus listing, and you are asking from others to explain it?
This is a useless question.

4

You who? Me? Where? Are you talking about the guy who replied to me?

My question is a simple question that WD doesn’t explain despite WD website sells recertified produtcs. Maybe many people believe Recertified = Ebay and nothing else, but I’m talking about the official WD store here:

Before considering a recertified product FROM WD website I’d like to have a clear explanation of “What the WD definition of recertified is”? and even better to prevent useless answers I ask:
“What power-on-hour range can one expect from a recertified HDD?”.

I think I know the answer: from 1 day to 5 years because it depends on the warranty expiration date, since I think they only recertified HDD if they are still under warranty. But I’d like to hear that officially stated instead of hypotesis or useless phrases like “are products that are repaired and thoroughly tested”.

Is my point clear now?

5

Did you directly contact WD? You’re not likely to get any answers here. If you do, please update.

6

He is simply in the wrong forum sector.

Go external drives … External Drives for PC - WD Community

7

The link you posted says they have a 1 year warranty. There’s no limit imposed on “power on hours”. The original warranty is irrelevant.

8

I already knew that and that’s why I was looking for a useful answers instead.

Why I suppose it’s based on the ORIGINAL warranty? Simple: because a recertified disk comes from repairs made in the warranty period.

So, for example: an enterprise HDD has 5 yr warranty, so when it becomes recertified:

  • could have 1 day (e.g. the HDD was DOA and sent back)
  • or 5 yr (e.g. the owner sent it back 1 week before the warranty expires).

So, I believe that WD doesn’t provide any serious data because for marketing purposes it’s better to say: “We give you 1 yr warranty” than saying “Recertified are disks that range from 1 to 26000 power-on hours, and average is around 20000”. :shushing_face:

That’s why we can’t find a precise/clear explanation from WD anywhere. :smile: