How to know a Hard Disk is new?

[g_goyal2000]

I'm going to get my crashed hard disk replaced with a new one.
How can I know whether the Hard Disk I have recieved is new?

[blackpearl]

Look for normal wear and tear. Look at the screw holes, do they look fresh and unscratched?

[techtronic]

Originally Posted by g_goyal2000

I'm going to get my crashed hard disk replaced with a new one.
How can I know whether the Hard Disk I have recieved is new?

No matter what brand of Hard Disk you own,each of them has a
Unique Serial Number.

Just write down your crashed Hard Disk's Serial Number and check for it when you get your replacement

Both should be different
Its as simple as that

or look for manufacturing date. for new hard disk it should be within last 1-2 months

[ashnik]

go to the manufacturer's website and check the warranty expiry date..for the serial no of ur new HDD

[Eazy]

The way I check the age of a HDD is to run any SMART program on first starting of HDD and check the "start/stop count" and "power on time" .... I use the freewares Diskcheckup or HDDTune for SMART readings.

EDIT: Even a low level format does not Zero or change these SMART readings so it should give you a correct idea of the HDDs usage.

[g_goyal2000]

Originally Posted by Eazy

The way I check the age of a HDD is to run any SMART program on first starting of HDD and check the "start/stop count" and "power on time" .... I use the freewares Diskcheckup or HDDTune for SMART readings.

EDIT: Even a low level format does not Zero or change these SMART readings so it should give you a correct idea of the HDDs usage.

What kind of SMART program? Kindly point me to it/them.

[da_tcpip]

i think he meant Diskcheckup and HD Tune are freewares which you should look into.. and if you reply with what to do next.. i suggest you to click on those links download the app

[janitha]

Originally Posted by g_goyal2000

What kind of SMART program? Kindly point me to it/them.

In the commonly used small and free programme called "speedfan" there is an option of "S.M.A.R.T." in which you can select your HDD and click on "Perform an in-depth online analysis of this hard disk".You have to be online and you will get the results within seconds including "Power On Hours Count". This is only what I know and there may be easier ways.

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by da_tcpip

i think he meant Diskcheckup and HD Tune are freewares which you should look into..

These are the exact 2 which I use

I got a HDD replaced by Hitachi 2 days back and after a Format and restore of a backup image I checked the SMART readings and it shows 3 hours power on time .... looks like I got a NEW HDD.

[ax3]

cool ........ thanx 4 the softwares & info abt Unique serial no ..........

[ayush_chh]

when a hard disk is connected first time to the PC , it shows a message....i m not sure but i hav heard.....once this message is read it never reappears.....

[Eazy]

Originally Posted by ayush_chh

when a hard disk is connected first time to the PC , it shows a message....i m not sure but i hav heard.....once this message is read it never reappears.....

Do you mean "Initialize" ? When I low level format a HDD from a bootable CD with the software provided by HDD maker and I next start XP it does ask me again if I want to initialize the HDD. Also after I run KILLDISK to clean a HDD I am asked by XP about initialization of the HDD.