Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!mcnc!rti!bcw
From: bcw@rti.UUCP (Bruce Wright)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Request for info on Hard Disk Repair places
Summary: Hard disk repair facilities
Message-ID: <3464@rti.UUCP>
Date: 18 Jan 90 05:27:52 GMT
References: <19095@netnews.upenn.edu>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Research Triangle Institute, RTP, NC
Lines: 44

In article <19095@netnews.upenn.edu>, tony@scotty.dccs.upenn.edu (Anthony Olejnik) writes:
> 
> I've noticed in some magazinse such as Computer Shopper that there are
> places that repair hard disks.  They charge about $75 for repair of
> 20Meg drives.
> 
> So, I'm asking the net:
> 	1.) Has anyone used any of these places?
> 	    If so, what are your comments?

We have had several drives repaired.  They generally don't last very long
after being processed by a hard disk repair facility -- 6 mo to a year at
most.  Usually just after their warranty period.  We have had experience
with several repair houses so I don't think it was an problem with just
one repair house.

> 	2.) Is $75 a good price for the repair of a 20Meg drive?
>             If not, what is a good price?

That's probably about as good a price as you will find.  As noted above
however it would probably not be worth it.

> 	3.) It this a good way to go for hard disk repair?
>             (would I be better off spending the money and
>              getting a new drive).

In my opinion, it would be better to either send the drive back to the
manufacturer (if they have a drive trade-in plan) or to buy a new drive.
Our experience with such things (although not a scientific sample)
suggests that:

	New drives > Manufacturer replacement drives > "repaired" drives

Generally the manufacturer trade-in $ required are sufficiently large
(almost as much as a new drive) that it doesn't seem to me that it 
justifies the reduced reliability vis-a-vis a new drive.  Remember that
the manufacturer replacement drives are generally "rebuilt" drives, but 
generally rebuilt to a higher quality control than most of the repair 
houses can maintain.

Unless you really can't afford it or your time isn't worth anything, 
a new drive is the only way to go.

						Bruce C. Wright