Apple Recalls Some iMac Seagate 1TB Hard Drives

[kingtj]

Heh... yep!

I know experiences vary, and a bunch of people will surely insist that Seagate drives were always the most reliable for them. But in the 25 years or so I've been using computers, I can confidently state that I had more issues with Seagate's products than any of the other brands. Yes, I can recall a nasty recall with Western Digital hard drives (if memory serves, it was a 1.6GB EIDE drive, many years ago). And sure, IBM had that fiasco with one particular version of the Deskstar drive. But all in all? It seems like it's Seagate that gives me problems.

Just a year or two ago, a friend of mine bought a new HP TouchSmart PC that had a recall on the Seagate drive in it, too.

This is what happens when you switch from Western Digital to Seagate, if you ask me.

I've probably owned over 50 different hard drives over the years, three have failed and all were Seagate drives. Well, one was a Maxtor disk, but since they've been acquired by Seagate now it's all the same.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_4 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8K2 Safari/6533.18.5)

I just ordered an iMac yesterday!! what!

how do i know if it is a seagate or wd harddrives?

It shouldn't. It would make no sense for Apple to ship a new iMac with an already recalled Hard Drive, but you'll only know once you get it.

There's been more than one batch of faulty Seagate drives (start to make a clicking sound and can't read data), not only for Apple computers.

I have an External 1.5TB that has failed more than once, and Seagate has replaced it under warranty. Luckily it was the drive I use for Time Machine, so all I lost was my backups.

I got a new 2TB External HD that has been running very well, using FW800, it stays cool, and so far, no complains. Most likely you'll get a good drive with your new iMac.

Congratulations, and enjoy it!

 

[Elven]

FYI my new 27" i7 iMac runs a Seagate but is not part of the program on recall, also my girlfriend runs a 1TB HD backup on her laptop without issue for over a year now.

As with any company look around and you'll see more negative then positive results. I have had a WD 320GB HD fail on me three times ( each replaced under warranty so good customer care program WD! ) fourth replacement is still working.

 

[winty03]

Ok, talked to the 800 Applecare and my "local" Apple MOA store, and it kinda sucks all the way around! Neither one would OK any upgrades or compensation for the hassle, and store said they were 5-7 days out for repairs. So sounds like a hassle either way. Just kinda BLA! I mean they will get the issue fixed and all will be fine, but no compensation, without iMac for week plus, I personally have to drive 200 miles/ 2-3 hrs to any provider/store to get service. And have a wife in college that is not pleased. I do have a time capsule and the file/restoral is not an issue, but BLA!!!!!!!!!! Has anyone experienced any "good" or benefits?!!?

 

[gnagy]

Ok, talked to the 800 Applecare and my "local" Apple MOA store, and it kinda sucks all the way around! Neither one would OK any upgrades or compensation for the hassle, and store said they were 5-7 days out for repairs. So sounds like a hassle either way. Just kinda BLA! I mean they will get the issue fixed and all will be fine, but no compensation, without iMac for week plus, I personally have to drive 200 miles/ 2-3 hrs to any provider/store to get service. And have a wife in college that is not pleased. I do have a time capsule and the file/restoral is not an issue, but BLA!!!!!!!!!! Has anyone experienced any "good" or benefits?!!?

The AppleCare guy told me they would only replace the hard drive once it failed. He said a recall is not a good enough reason for a replacement. Those were his exact words. It's crazy! As it's been pointed out already on this forum, my apple care guy was most likely mis-informed.

I plan to take mine to the Apple store, but there's no way I'll put up with what you just described. I'm going to go there and either leave with my iMac and a replaced hard drive or a brand new iMac. I will not be taking my iMac home with the faulty drive. If I have to, I will use my credit card to dispute the charge and just return it.

 

[winty03]

They told me they will replace the drive..no questions asked. Mine is still working fine and has been hooked up and running time machine to my time capsule since day one. But just surprised no compensation, no upgrade, or same day service espically when I live so far way. They did offer to have an authorized service tech come out to my place to do the repair/swap out....but the next issue I can see if the dust between lcd and glass after being opened?!?!!?!

 

[formkatze]

formkatze: You cannot buy a bare HDD from Apple's online store. You cannot pay for Amazon to install one for you. You are not comparing parallel ideas.

My local Apple-authorized service center can order a bare drive from Apple for approximately $500. Alternatively, I can buy one from Amazon for less than 20% of that cost. Either way, the service center will install it free of charge because of this recall. What's your malfunction?

 

[winty03]

so you could via the service centers provide the HD that would be replaced....obviously upgraded size wise? That seems like a decent option….

 

[formkatze]

Yeah, that's what I'm doing, but I hate that I'm going to have to buy software to keep the fan from spinning out of control. I read one report that the software doesn't work. Even if it does, Apple could release an update that breaks it and the developer could decide to stop updating it or potentially not be able to find a way around the update.

I also read on one site that if I buy the same brand of hard drive the fan control mechanism should still function, but I already ordered a different brand, which shipped yesterday. :/

 

[formkatze]

Scratch that. Installing a same-branded drive would have been a solution in previous iMacs, but apparently it's not in the current model. Starting to think I need to just suck it up and let them install another 1 TB drive, despite the fact that I have less than 10 GB left on my current drive... The more I think about it, the less sense it makes to depend on a software solution.

But I really don't like the idea of using up two of my four USB ports for external drives (one for Time Machine, one for non-essential file storage). Besides the port usage, doesn't it sort of ruin the simple beauty of an all-in-one machine?

 

[TheAppleFamily]

Seagate Drive Recall

Without any problems, besides an initial comment that I should wait till the drive malfunctions (which was responded to with "you've got to be kidding me!); my 27"IMac was happily received for repair.

Due date next Tuesday!

 

[Alexuk75]

This is what happens when you switch from Western Digital to Seagate, if you ask me.

I've probably owned over 50 different hard drives over the years, three have failed and all were Seagate drives. Well, one was a Maxtor disk, but since they've been acquired by Seagate now it's all the same.

Im 100 % agree with you, i get upset with Apple when the Imac coming with Seagate, always had problems with seagate on pc then that is one expect from that brand,
WD never had problems... really dont understand why apple move to the worst drive

 

[xumax]

Mmmm ... mine is also a ST31000528AS (rev AP4C) ... but running my serial states that I do "qualify" for the recall.

Maybe a few more people could post their HDD models incl. revision number ...

I am a newby on that. Please tell me as I have the same modell as mentioned above (exactly the same) - do I have to worry?

If seagate discontinued this drive in March, like a former poster (from ireland) stated, why the heck they are in a iMac 2011 - bought in July 21th ?!?

Please somebody tell me - as I have a 14 day give back period - (day 6 is over yet) - would you give it back with this issue, as the screen is without problems?

Thanks!

 

[TheAppleFamily]

I am a newby on that. Please tell me as I have the same modell as mentioned above (exactly the same) - do I have to worry?

If seagate discontinued this drive in March, like a former poster (from ireland) stated, why the heck they are in a iMac 2011 - bought in July 21th ?!?

Please somebody tell me - as I have a 14 day give back period - (day 6 is over yet) - would you give it back with this issue, as the screen is without problems?

Thanks!

Note:

You need to refer to the apple.com [support tab] to check if your computer's serial number indicates whether it is a recalled model!

 

[mudstuff]

Read this story when released and got the dreaded email to say I'm affected yesterday. Not impressed, my first iMac and Mac that wasn't company bought and resides at home.

I'd love to push for a swap but I have a BTO with 2GB Graphics and personally upgraded to 16GB RAM. I've also partitioned the drive with BootCamp and run Win7 and have installed loads of productivity software on both.

Seriously surprised there's no compensation (despite it being Seagate and not Apple) or free upgrade to 2TB. Luckily I'm only 10 minutes from a store but what a pain in the ass, good job I kept the box.

Could I appeal for help - How do I back everything up???

I'm assuming a time machine backup will sort out the OSX side of things and then I create a new BootCamp partition, install Win 7 and then restore everything with a Win backup software package?? -- Any recommendations?

I would have liked Apple to be able to image the whole disc.

Incidentally, I ordered a new iMac on the day of release but used finance. By the time it arrived, Lion had already been announced and so was free for people who could have gone and picked one up before I received mine! Granted it was only £20.99 but I'll be pushing for this to be taken off the cost of putting a 2TB in at the very least or money off a new external etc.

One big mess really, thanks Apple.

 

[guxdude]

Already got mine replaced

My iMac was already in for service when I got this email. One of my kids cracked the glass on the edge of the screen. Since I just got it in May, the tech offered to cover the repair (awesome!). Then I got the email. Since I had already backed everything up, I called and asked them to go ahead and replace the drive. Just got it back Tuesday night. Hooked it up last night and got a surprise: They installed OS X Lion for free! Bonus!

I love Apple service!


Gux

 

[ChrisA]

Please somebody tell me - as I have a 14 day give back period - (day 6 is over yet) - would you give it back with this issue, as the screen is without problems?

Thanks!

If you like the iMac you have let Apple replace the drive. Giving it back then buying another, you may get one with a screen you don't like or some other problem.

I have a new iMac with the bad drive inside. I figure I'll wait. I have good backups. I run Time machine and also keep other backup disks. So I'll wait. maybe in a few months the Apple techs will have more experience, and there might be fewer people in line. I don't see a reason to rush.

 

[livingstn]

Anyone have their drive replaced yet? What model did they replace it with? Another Seagate, Western Digital, or something else?

Interested in hearing the outcome!

 

[ConsiderPhlebas]

Seagate Hard Drive Replaced Today

Took my 27" Mac to the local (well, next county over) store Tuesday and picked it up today, so turn around was not bad.

New Drive model number is WDC WD1001FALS-403AA0. Been running about 7 hours. So far OK. Drive is as quiet if not quieter than the Seagate and response time seems to be as good.

Tried to talk them into installing Lion instead of a SL reload but they would not do it, even with me paying the $30. Had to give it back with the same configuration they said. Probably a CYA thing if problems arose.

 

[livingstn]

Took my 27" Mac to the local (well, next county over) store Tuesday and picked it up today, so turn around was not bad.

New Drive model number is WDC WD1001FALS-403AA0. Been running about 7 hours. So far OK. Drive is as quiet if not quieter than the Seagate and response time seems to be as good.

Tried to talk them into installing Lion instead of a SL reload but they would not do it, even with me paying the $30. Had to give it back with the same configuration they said. Probably a CYA thing if problems arose.

That's odd. I actually had that drive originally, but it was so loud that I had them swap it out for the Seagate (which is now recalled). I'm kind of hesitant to get this one replaced because of how loud the Western Digital was.

So you don't have any issues hearing rumbling with your new drive? Literally every time I clicked something in my dock or required any reading of the hard drive, I would hear a rumble. Mostly noticeable in a quiet room, but still loud enough to be bothersome.

 

[iMouse]

That's odd. I actually had that drive originally, but it was so loud that I had them swap it out for the Seagate (which is now recalled). I'm kind of hesitant to get this one replaced because of how loud the Western Digital was.

So you don't have any issues hearing rumbling with your new drive? Literally every time I clicked something in my dock or required any reading of the hard drive, I would hear a rumble. Mostly noticeable in a quiet room, but still loud enough to be bothersome.

Keep in mind that the WD1001FALS is a WD Caviar Black, a high performance 7200 RPM drive with dual on-board processors. This drive also performs sequential read aheads, which could account for the drive's louder acoustics.

I replaced my failing 320GB Caviar Blue with the 1TB Caviar Black and did notice the drive is a bit louder, but I also got a nice performance boost over the Caviar Blue.

 

[Tiggs]

Had a friend affected by this recall. It was their first ever Mac purchase and they were happy with the overall replacement experience.

 

[gregd33]

Took my wife's 27" iMac in this morning. They say it 'may' be ready tomorrow morning but they gave me the time frame of 1-3 days.

What worries me is that they had me take my box with me and the white cover too. It was just sitting there all pristine and out in the open... I figured (hoped/assumed) they would keep it in the box, do the job and then put it back in the box.

 

[winty03]

I was going to have a service provider do the install for free via Apple's recall, and have them put a Seagate Barrauda XT ST33000651AS 3TB drive. I had read on new egg, that a reveiwer said it was TOO hot and lost control of his fans..they ran at 5,000 RPM constant. I had asked the tech if I needed to purchase a specific drive to maintain fan control. He told me no that there are ways they are able to get around or control that. Is this possible and or what your thoughts of the choice of drive. Thanks

 

[ChrisA]

I was going to have a service provider do the install for free via Apple's recall, and have them put a Seagate Barrauda XT ST33000651AS 3TB drive. I had read on new egg, that a reveiwer said it was TOO hot and lost control of his fans..they ran at 5,000 RPM constant. I had asked the tech if I needed to purchase a specific drive to maintain fan control. He told me no that there are ways they are able to get around or control that. Is this possible and or what your thoughts of the choice of drive. Thanks

Look up the specs on power consumption of the current drive on the Seagate web site. Figure that power is volts times amps. THe look up the same for a proposed replacement. Heat is proportional to power consumed.

There is no magic if a drive makes more heat it will need more cooling. Or if it makes less heat if will need less cooling. The data are all on-line.