SDK type stuff on Dead hard drive . Ok to RMA?

[piscian18]

I'm being a noob this morning. Theoretically speaking... I killed a back up sata drive that is still in warrantly. Let's say this drive is filled with alot of of copyrighted stuff and SDK's. Other than family photos I don't have anything I can't replace on this dude. Has anybody ever heard of someone whos been reported for having this stuff when doing an RMA?

[GlobalFear]

Data recovery is an expensive and time consuming process. The manufacturer will make no attempt to recover the data. With that said, admitting to possessing copyrighted materials probably isn't the best idea around here. Check out the rules.

[FLECOM]

um, everything is copyrighted... i think he means if he has corporate data or things that should not be distributed would (could) he be held responsable...

i doubt it, but if you want to make sure get one of those bulk tape erasers and zap the data off the disk :)

[GlobalFear]

I figured he meant stuff which he was not allowed to possess. Piscain, if you are legally allowed to possess whatever is on the drive, why would the manufacturer report you. If you've got a drive full of stolen source code and kiddie porn its a different story. (Like I said though, they won't recover the data)

[FLECOM]

I figured he meant stuff which he was not allowed to possess. Piscain, if you are legally allowed to possess whatever is on the drive, why would the manufacturer report you. If you've got a drive full of stolen source code and kiddie porn its a different story. (Like I said though, they won't recover the data)

well its hard to tell what he means... if its like kiddie pron, well, you suck... but if its like regular data and company stuff unless its like, of national importance, i wouldent worry... i doubt they have any time to poke through dead drives..

[swatbat]

well its hard to tell what he means... if its like kiddie pron, well, you suck... but if its like regular data and company stuff unless its like, of national importance, i wouldent worry... i doubt they have any time to poke through dead drives..

Pretty much.

I wouldn't RMA the drive anyway though. I've seen way to many refurb drives fail over the years and don't trust them. If a drive fails on me I drill holes in it to make sure the data is destroyed and toss the drive.

[drizzt81]

if it is `secret' company data, there ought to be a policy about RMA these drives. If it is personal files that you'd rather not share, your paranoia level will determine whether you think RMA-ing is a good idea. I would be surprised if a HDD manufacturer was looking through the dead drives they get; however i do not know how prudent their employees are...