Guidelines for Buying a Secondhand Hard Drive

Computer parts aren't cheap. They cost a good deal of money, especially if you have lots of more important expenses such as utilities and other types of bills. The hard drive is relatively cheaper than the more intricate computer parts such as the processor, video card, etc. Based on current prices that I've seen on the local Philippine market, a 500 GB SATA internal drive costs around 2,300 pesos - which is roughly $53. While that's not that bad but considering the cost of living here, that's a huge amount to consider. Another option is to buy secondhand hard drives. It's a lot cheaper but there are certain risks involved. What are the things that you should consider when buying hand-me-down hard disks?

Prices differ depending on the age of the drive, the person selling it, brand, size, etc. Search around for the specific size and brand that you're looking for. Compare the prices and check the warranty. It's much better if it comes with its original receipt from the shop where it was bought and is still under warranty from that particular shop. This is just in case there are hidden defects in the hard drive.

Now, once you have the drive. There are a couple of things you can check immediately. First, if you hear clanking sounds just by merely moving the hard drive around slowly, there's probably a mechanical problem inside the drive. It shouldn't have any sound at all. Check the pins at the back of the drive. These include the power connectors and the SATA/IDE pins. Make sure they are complete and intact.

The next thing you should check is the label. Make sure that you're buying what was really advertised. If it says that it's a 500 GB SATA drive, it should say so on the label including the brand and as much as possible, the model number. Check the warranty sticker. It should not have been tampered because if it is, the hard drive may have been opened and fixed.

We have to admit though that there are some problems that may not arise a few days or weeks of use. This is where the warranty comes in so make sure you have the contact number of the person you're dealing with and the shop where it was bought.

And of course, be wary of scammers. There are lots of people out there who will try to ask you for the payment first then they run away without sending you the item. What I usually do is I always deal with someone who is willing to meet up in public places. Then, I set the meeting point where there are security personnel. Also, I try to buy from reputable websites. It's much better if it has a feedback system. It lessens the risk of that person scamming you if he/she has a high rating.

Many may argue that it's much better to just buy a brand-new hard drive however prices of secondhand hard drives are sometimes significantly lower than new ones and not everyone can afford new ones. At the prices of a new one, you can even get double the capacity if you look hard enough with a touch of luck. But again, that depends on your choice and your budget. Just be extra vigilant if you have decided to buy an old one.