Hitachi HDD RMA

[Teo Ming Ern]

Hello,

I have 4 Hitachi 1 TB HDD which I purchased in 2011 as a set. One of them is now giving problems and I want to send it in for repair. But I have a very peculiar problem. Any help is most appreciated.

I checked the Hitachi website this afternoon around 1pm on my mobile phone and was able to enter the website. I could even key in one of the HDDs serial number and ascertain that the warranty expired in Dec 2013. Now when I want to check again, the website seems to have been completely pulled from the internet space!!!

Google returns a cannot find message even though the search engine shows a whole list of links related to the website. Anyone also knows where the Hitachi service centre is?

Anyone knows what I can do now? Cos the website says (from what I read briefly earlier) that I have to register the RMA online. But I can't access the website now...

On another note, the HDD is flagged by my BIOS as bad. I have run CHKDSK on it at the bootup level and done a scandsk at the Windows level. But it didn't solve the problem. My problem with the HDD is that when I pull files over to copy to another device, the copying process is crawling at a snail's pace, like 100 KB/S or worse. And often the process will hang with the green indicator turning red. And I can't kill the copying process, Windows explorer will crash and I need a hard reboot. But some files, the copying process is very fast. It seems that parts of the HDD platter is corrupted or physically damaged? Any ideas what is wrong?

Thanks!

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Hello,

I have 4 Hitachi 1 TB HDD which I purchased in 2011 as a set. One of them is now giving problems and I want to send it in for repair. But I have a very peculiar problem. Any help is most appreciated.

I checked the Hitachi website this afternoon around 1pm on my mobile phone and was able to enter the website. I could even key in one of the HDDs serial number and ascertain that the warranty expired in Dec 2013. Now when I want to check again, the website seems to have been completely pulled from the internet space!!!

Google returns a cannot find message even though the search engine shows a whole list of links related to the website. Anyone also knows where the Hitachi service centre is?

Anyone knows what I can do now? Cos the website says (from what I read briefly earlier) that I have to register the RMA online. But I can't access the website now...

On another note, the HDD is flagged by my BIOS as bad. I have run CHKDSK on it at the bootup level and done a scandsk at the Windows level. But it didn't solve the problem. My problem with the HDD is that when I pull files over to copy to another device, the copying process is crawling at a snail's pace, like 100 KB/S or worse. And often the process will hang with the green indicator turning red. And I can't kill the copying process, Windows explorer will crash and I need a hard reboot. But some files, the copying process is very fast. It seems that parts of the HDD platter is corrupted or physically damaged? Any ideas what is wrong?

Thanks!

Where do I go to hand in the HDD physically?

 

[jtjt00]

Warranty/RMA

Maybe the site is down for maintenance when you are trying to access.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Ok, managed to do the RMA procedures online. Also managed to call HGST.

RMA procedures:

1) Download HGST Drive Fitness Utility and test the drive. It works only for drives that are not your boot drive.

2) Go online, fill up the RMA form and send it in. Wait for HGST to send you an acknowledgement email the next day.

3) Send the drive in with your RMA number. Detailed instructions are in the email.


There are 3 options to send in the drive:

1) Mail to this address -
HGST Singapore Pte. Ltd.
c/o UPS SCS (Singapore) Pte Ltd,RMA Dept
31 ALPS Avenue, #03-00
SINGAPORE 498784
SINGAPORE

This is a UPS collection centre for Hitachi and the package will be redirected accordingly.

Advantages: Convenient, just pop by the post office near your home.
Disadvantages: Need to purchase packing materials, especially the anti-static bag. Hitachi prefers you use the original bag, which you would have probably thrown away. Thankfully I kept mine. Also you better hope the drive arrives intact and doesn't get lost in the mail.

2) Go down to the address stated above.

Advantages: Good for those who stay nearby, it's located around Changi Airport, one of the industrial parks around that area. No need to purchase additional packing material.
Disadvantages: No good for those living at any of the other 3 corners of the island.

3) Send the drive directly to Paya Lebar Post Office. There is a counter which will take in your drive. Print the RMA email sent to you.
Advantages: More centrally located, easier to get to as it's near an MRT station. No need to purchase additional packing material.
Disadvantages: None.


Note that the RMA you applied for online will last only 30 days from the date shown in the email.

Hope this helps those who are looking for the RMA procedures for Hitachi drives.

 

[Teo Ming Ern]

Someone update the Hitachi procedures on the 1st page please.

 

[Bergkamp33]

How to check the serial number for external drive?

 

[gregkwan]

Hi, just to share my experience. I sent in my HDD for RMA at the Alps Avenue location. For those driving, it's along Changi Coast Road after exit from ECP. Look for the sign "Airport Logistics Park" (after you've passed the airport runway on your left) to turn into the small road (Alps Ave) as you will not see "Alps Ave" sign along Changi Coast Road.

Turn right at the T junction once in the small road ("Alps Ave"), there is a left arrow Fed Ex sign at the T-junction.

Go straight to the end of the road and enter the building at the right (UPS). Stop at security to request entry to visitor carpark. If not, just give the HDD with RMA number to the security guard and write your particulars in the log book.

I am not allowed to gain entry to the building to #03-00. Don't ask me why.

Hope this helps those who want to send in personally (method 2 above)

 

[whatheheck]

Hi, just to share my experience. I sent in my HDD for RMA at the Alps Avenue location. For those driving, it's along Changi Coast Road after exit from ECP. Look for the sign "Airport Logistics Park" (after you've passed the airport runway on your left) to turn into the small road (Alps Ave) as you will not see "Alps Ave" sign along Changi Coast Road.

Turn right at the T junction once in the small road ("Alps Ave"), there is a left arrow Fed Ex sign at the T-junction.

Go straight to the end of the road and enter the building at the right (UPS). Stop at security to request entry to visitor carpark. If not, just give the HDD with RMA number to the security guard and write your particulars in the log book.

I am not allowed to gain entry to the building to #03-00. Don't ask me why.

Hope this helps those who want to send in personally (method 2 above)

How long did it take?

 

[gregkwan]

How long did it take?

You mean the RMA process? It is still in progress and will take up to 14 working days for me to receive the HDD. This is by far the fastest approach as no matter which channel you choose, they will still need to send back to HGST to process.

 

[epos]

How long did it take?

depends, usually one week to 2 weeks. and if you are "lucky" like my last RMA--sent in on Tuesday, receive it on Friday. very fast, although "slightly" slower than Seagate which I received the next day.

 

[hdbanger]

Just to share:

the Post Office option is no more. Went to Paya Lebar today, and was told by the staff that they don't receive HDD for RMA anymore. I mailed the HDD on the spot. Not registered, but cost me about $3.50 (incl an additional bubble foam to wrap around the HDD).