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However, a deeper analysis using a query of the FARM (field-accessible reliability metrics) values reveals the true operational history of the drive, thus revealing if they have been used.
I've never heard of FARM. Is this something we can do ourselves?
Buyers concerned about their purchases can verify the true HDD usage history. SMART parameters are sometimes unreliable, but the true operational time can be checked using FARM values. To do this, one has to use the Smartmontools application version 7.4 or higher (via command: smartctl -l farm /dev/sda) or Seagate's Seatools software.
Ah, thanks. I thought the article ended at the newsletter box, but I now see there was the extra you quoted underneath.
Chip burners that can overwrite the SMART data aren't expensive. I've also seen "refurbished" drives in which nobody even bothered to reset that data. In that case, the refurbishment apparently consists of a new sticker on the drive (sticker serial number not even matching the drives EPROM).
I dont think its a specific thing, more of a vague descriptor for values they used
50'000 hours?! That is insane! Almost 6 years no stop operation.
Otherwise known as the average runtime of a drive in a Datacenter. Those drives almost never go to sleep and usually only get replaced when they die or are upgraded. Some SANs are only replaced once every 7 years and still have running drives in them.
Do not buy from unofficial resellers.
Better yet, don't buy Seagate. Or WD.
Too bad it's starting to be hard to find any better drives.