Apple Notifies iMac Owners of Expanded Seagate Hard Drive Recall

[MacRumors]

Last week, we noted that Apple had expanded its iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program to include iMac models sold between October 2009 and July 2011. The program provides for free replacement of the defective Seagate drives or reimbursement for repairs already paid for out of pocket by machine owners.

Apple has now begun emailing customers for whom it has contact information associated with a purchase of one of the affected machines. The email provides essentially the same information as is posted on the replacement program's support page, but helps ensure that iMac owners are aware of the issue.

Dear iMac owner,

Apple has determined that certain 1TB Seagate hard drives used in 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac systems may fail. These systems were sold between October 2009 and July 2011.

Our records show that you have an iMac with an affected 1TB Seagate hard drive. Apple will replace your hard drive with a new one, free of charge, under the iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program.

Owners of affected iMac machines are covered for three years or until April 12, 2013, whichever provides longer coverage.

Article Link: Apple Notifies iMac Owners of Expanded Seagate Hard Drive Recall

[the8thark]

I own a 2011 iMac. But I didn't receive such an email. Maybe my iMac is not affected by this. I hope so.

[icarus81187]

Originally Posted by the8thark

I own a 2011 iMac. But I didn't receive such an email. Maybe my iMac is not affected by this. I hope so.

Do you have a Western Digital HDD? I have one except it's a WD drive instead of Seagate.

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by icarus81187

Do you have a Western Digital HDD? I have one except it's a WD drive instead of Seagate.

From the system information all I could get is the model number is:
ST31000528AS

That's a Seagate right?

[edit]http://www.apple.com/au/support/imac-harddrive/
iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program

That's the link if you want to check.

I put my serial number in and got this:
The iMac serial number you entered is not eligible for this program. No further action on your part is needed at this time.
So seems my HDD is a good one.

[Tarheels]

I put the serial number for my iMac purchased June 2011 in on the webpage for the replacement program, and it came back saying that I didn't have a Seagate HD (as previously noted by the8thark). I went into the System Information (Click the Apple at top left > About This Mac > More Information > System Report > Hardware > Serial-ATA) and found that I have a model number ST31000528AS in my iMac, which is in fact a Seagate 1TB HD (again, noted by the8thark, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148433). Given the discrepancy, I call Apple to discuss the matter.

I talk to an Advisor and Sr. Advisor that both said the records show I have a Western Digital drive in my iMac. I insisted that it was a Seagate, and sent them a screenshot of my System Information window. Long story short, they are replacing my HD.

If you are in the same situation, call Apple and reference case number 361827989 as to why they should replace yours too!

[jquebedeaux]

@tarheels

Thanks for posting that. I have the same model seagate in my iMac 21.5" mid-2011 which JUST failed this week. According to the Apple site my SN isn't eligible for the program. I bought it in July 2011 and the seagate model matches. So i will be giving them a call and see why mine isn't part of the program, perhaps they think it's not a seagate.

I would have just replaced it with a WD drive that was larger, but i'm figuring out there are ALL kinds of issues with that.

[Willis]

Originally Posted by Tarheels

I put the serial number for my iMac purchased June 2011 in on the webpage for the replacement program, and it came back saying that I didn't have a Seagate HD (as previously noted by the8thark). I went into the System Information (Click the Apple at top left > About This Mac > More Information > System Report > Hardware > Serial-ATA) and found that I have a model number ST31000528AS in my iMac, which is in fact a Seagate 1TB HD (again, noted by the8thark, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148433). Given the discrepancy, I call Apple to discuss the matter.

I talk to an Advisor and Sr. Advisor that both said the records show I have a Western Digital drive in my iMac. I insisted that it was a Seagate, and sent them a screenshot of my System Information window. Long story short, they are replacing my HD.

If you are in the same situation, call Apple and reference case number 361827989 as to why they should replace yours too!

Actually, the checker is very intelligent in regards to the type of drive installed. The model number is the same for all Seagate 1TB drives, however, there are many revisions. Affected revisions are AP24 and AP25. If you do not have this, your drive does not need to be replaced.

[Macman45]

Originally Posted by icarus81187

Do you have a Western Digital HDD? I have one except it's a WD drive instead of Seagate.

The WD's are rock solid, at least mine has been. It's the Seagates that are at fault. It's not just Apple either. I had a re-call on my Promise Pegasus R4. I asked them to just ship me 4 new drives but they insisted on a full replacement. It originally had 4X Segate 1TB drives in it..They replaced all four with Hitachi's and the unit too. One of the Segates was starting to throw bad sectors after only 2 months use. I'm guessing that a bad production run is probably the culprit here.

[clukas]

Originally Posted by the8thark

I own a 2011 iMac. But I didn't receive such an email. Maybe my iMac is not affected by this. I hope so.

Same here. Check this website:

http://www.apple.com/support/imac-harddrive/

I entered my serial number and I am eligible for a replacement.

[GoshKruse]

My hard-drive, which failed just 3 months ago, has already been replaced, yet I still received the email notice and my serial number comes up as eligible. It's unclear if my replacement (ST31000528AS rev. AP2E) is affected in the recall.* I've now called Apple Support twice and have gotten two different answers.** On the first call, the technician said if the your serial number comes up as eligible - and it's a SeaGate drive, you should take it in and replace it.* The second technician said if it's been replaced, it should be fine and even sent me an email assuring me its fine. * Does anyone know if the prior replacement drives are faulty. And what brand is the replacement drive?

[MacScott]

I received the email yesterday. Mine is working fine so I am in no hurry.

[TopB]

Originally Posted by MacScott

I received the email yesterday. Mine is working fine so I am in no hurry.

Same here, plus I have installed an Crucial M4 256gb SSD as my boot drive, the segate is now a second drive, nothing super important on it.

[hetrigger]

I wonder what the turnaround time is...

[Scottspeare]

I paid $289 to have my drive replaced a few months back after it crashed. Anyone know if they will reimburse this cost? Could it be that for once I walk into the Apple store and leave with extra cash in my pocket?

[jayducharme]

Originally Posted by GoshKruse

My hard-drive, which failed just 3 months ago, has already been replaced, yet I still received the email notice and my serial number comes up as eligible.

A friend of mine is in a similar situation, though his drive was replaced with a different manufacturer's drive. He still got the notice.

If your original Seagate was replaced with another Seagate, it may or may not be an affected drive. But if Apple's offering you a free replacement, take it. You'll have a brand new hard drive.

My iMac drive, BTW, was manufactured by Samsung. Hope it doesn't die if Apple wins their lawsuits.

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by jayducharme

My iMac drive, BTW, was manufactured by Samsung. Hope it doesn't die if Apple wins their lawsuits.

It's about 50/50 at the moment. Both sides are winning their fair share of them.

[Willis]

Apology for not replying to early posts back in October, I've been away.

Reading a few extra posts where people have affected drives but the checker says it is not covered, simply call AppleCare or go to your local store if nearby. They should provide coverage. NOTE: the program expires April 12 2013, or until your AppleCare expires, whichever provides more coverage.

[hamkor04]

Originally Posted by the8thark

I own a 2011 iMac. But I didn't receive such an email. Maybe my iMac is not affected by this. I hope so.

maybe u got SeaGate with capital "G"

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Originally Posted by olsiris

I took my 2009 iMac into the genius bar (in the UK) today and they said it would take 7-10 days as they were busy, I said that wasn't good enough and stood my ground; they said come back in half an hour. Seagate drive replaced with Hitachi.

7-10 days? Im trying to be an optimist and realist. But how they are busy?

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by the8thark

I own a 2011 iMac. But I didn't receive such an email. Maybe my iMac is not affected by this. I hope so.

You might not have a Seagate drive. Or perhaps yours was from a later batch.

I find it worth applause that Apple does this. All hard drives fail at some point. It's a fact of life. But Apple is willing to step up when more than they like has failed. They did it with a possible 'bad' batch of graphics cards, they did this over cosmetic issues on the Macbooks at one point.

Compare this to say Microsoft who had a run of Xbox consoles with a 60-70% fail rate in the first year. They didn't bother to fix the issue but replaced failing units with another one that typically also failed.

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Originally Posted by Tarheels

I put the serial number for my iMac purchased June 2011 in on the webpage for the replacement program, and it came back saying that I didn't have a Seagate HD

But the issue isn't about you having a Seagate, it's about a certain batch. Yours could be fine. They are just replacing it to shut you up because you were a nag, not because they screwed up and didn't put in your serial number when it should have been. They won't tell you that that is the reason because they don't want you emailing Tim Cook etc and saying they insulted you or some other mess. But that is the more likely reason for the 'exception'

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Originally Posted by Gasu E.

Does anyone know what happens to your old drives? I'm concerned about giving them a drive with all my private data.

They destroy them. But if you are that worried about it, erase it before you take it in. They aren't going to transfer your information anyway. It's your job to make a backup and install it when you get home. So it won't matter to them if you give them a machine with a reformatted drive.

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Originally Posted by the8thark

I just asked the same question on the official Apple community forums and was basically told "offtopic will report you". So very rude.

so what. they report you, they ban you even. It's not like you just voided your warranty on all your products. Unless your user 'points' are that important to you. Otherwise, let them kick you off. Takes 5 minutes to set up a new id.

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Originally Posted by Scottspeare

I paid $289 to have my drive replaced a few months back after it crashed. Anyone know if they will reimburse this cost? Could it be that for once I walk into the Apple store and leave with extra cash in my pocket?

IF they refund the money it will be via a check, not in the stores.

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Originally Posted by knewsom

In any case, when you're dealing with the Genius, ask them to give you the old HD back to you once they've yanked it and replaced it, and they will.

I would NOT count on that. They are not required to give you back a drive at any time since your data is your responsibility and it's not their issue if you haven't been keeping up to date backups.

And since this is a quality program they might have to keep all drives to send to Seagate as proof of the replacements so Seagate will pay the costs (as they would be required to since the program is due to them failing to uphold QC requirements)

[the8thark]

Originally Posted by charlituna

You might not have a Seagate drive. Or perhaps yours was from a later batch.

I have a seagate serial number. And others with the same model number has theirs replaced. But it could be from a good batch. it's like 90 mins on the train to get to an Apple store for me. And I don't want to drag a 21.5 iMac on the train.

I'll still call Apple tomorrow to see what my options are and to complain about the disgusting service Apple gave me on their official forums. Sure different people but I'll complain still.

I might just keep very regular TM backups and just wait it out for the time being. Too long to take the iMac in if the drive seems to be working now.

[Tarheels]

[/COLOR]

But the issue isn't about you having a Seagate, it's about a certain batch. Yours could be fine. They are just replacing it to shut you up because you were a nag, not because they screwed up and didn't put in your serial number when it should have been. They won't tell you that that is the reason because they don't want you emailing Tim Cook etc and saying they insulted you or some other mess. But that is the more likely reason for the 'exception'[COLOR]

I'm well aware that its a certain batch, I've had production floor jobs before. I wasn't going to trust them if they said it wasn't the right batch considering the fact that they didn't even have the right manufacturer on record.

[cosmichobo]

Question is - Why don't Apple do this standard for ALL of their Repair Programs?

Would have been great for the eMac, that had people continue to suffer badcaps for years after the event.

[IGregory]

Originally Posted by cosmichobo

Question is - Why don't Apple do this standard for ALL of their Repair Programs?

Would have been great for the eMac, that had people continue to suffer badcaps for years after the event.

Probably because it is or has been involved in several Class Action suits lately. Better to be proactive rather than reactive and then having to pay attorney fees for both sides. Besides, where the components were purchased from another manufacturer, they will be responsible for the costs.

[anthonyp01]

Oh dear, that's got to be a right pain.

[xxgilxx]

Seagate...gate....