Can I trust em?

[Skud]

I've been browsing fleabay for some cheap SCSI goodness and I got to thinking about how much I can actually trust used hard drives sold on ebay. For example, I was looking at these. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2789704277&category=39975

It's a lot of 10 18.2gig SCSI drives. Now before anyone says anything:

1) I know they're SCA drives and I either need an 80->68 pin adapter or an 80 pin enclosure (<-- leaning towards one)

2) I know they're only 80MB/sec drives. That's OK. The server is going to be a light-duty web/DB/file server.

So, what's your guy's opinion on used disks? I'm thinking they might already have alot of hours on them.

Riley

 

[jaffy]

I recently bought a single used drive just like those from ebay. It works great, no problems at all. SCSI drives are made to last a LONG time, so they should be ok. I did have to purchase a 80>68pin converter, and that was an additional $5. Oh, I paid $25 for my single drive, so thats a pretty good deal on that 10 pack. Those drives are a bit larger (higher) than a normal drive, and might cause a problem if you will be using an enclosure, or stacking them in a case. Also, they do run quite hot, so you will probably want good cooling.

 

[Philip]

Check with the seller and get the serial numbers and see if they have any warrenty left.

Go with the 80 pin HDD rack setup. I started with 68 pin drives. I wish now I had went with 80 pin drives and racks.

 

[animeguru]

I got some used Atlas IV drives and some used Ultrastars from a friends workplace and most of them were fine. That's really not bad when you consider that the Atlas drives were 9.1GB drives and about 5+ years old and spinning for who knows how much of that time

Anyway, he's selling them as non-DOA, so if you already have a SCSI card, pick up a single 80->68pin adapter and test them out in your current machine when they come. That way, if one's dead, you can arrange for an exchange or a partial refund to make up for it.

BTW, you can get the software to check it out on Seagates website. Just look for its SCSI diagnostic programs.

 

[Nate7311]

Hit up surpluscomputers.com I've snagged a couple of 10-packs of 10k 18.2 SCA drives for like $120 shipped.

Work great so far, no DOA's

 

[animeguru]

Originally posted by Nate7311
Hit up surpluscomputers.com I've snagged a couple of 10-packs of 10k 18.2 SCA drives for like $120 shipped.

Work great so far, no DOA's

Not too bad at $10 ea. Only downside is that they're 1.6" drives, not 1", but then again so is that ebay auction, so you're probably better off at surpluscomputers.com. At least they come with a 90 day warranty.

 

[Skud]

Good stuff, thanks for the replies guys.

I'll definately check out surpluscomputers.com. Looks like there may be some useful stuff there.

Riley