Testing a new SSD

[ph0bYx]

Hey guys!

I'm going to buy an SSD (Samsung EVO 250GB) from a second-hand shop. This guy is selling it for half the price and says that it is new but doesn't have warranty (because it's bought in a different country, I'm inclined to think that it's stolen but whatever).
Since it's fishy I'd like to test the SSD on the spot. Do you have any suggestions how to test it and what to look for?

Cheers!

[bad_brain]

##################Linux#####################
read the SMART parameters of the device (of course you'll have to adjust the device name):

Code: Select all

smartctl -a /dev/sdx

values of interest are:

Reallocated_Sector_Ct
#the higher the value the more spare sectors had to be activated because of broken sectors

Program_Fail_Cnt_Total
#how often a write to the drive failed because it was full, can give you an idea about "how many miles the drive has ran already"

Erase_Fail_Count_Total
#failed erases, can point to bad sectors or worn out memory modules

Offline_Uncorrectable
Current_Pending_Sector
#number of broken sectors discovered in idle selfscan, sectors waiting to be relaunched after fail, both should best be 0

Data_Address_Mark_Errs
wrong or missing data address blocks, best also 0

there are a bunch of more important values, but those are only interesting in mechanical drives (like the spin up time, or if the read/write head is positioned within the limits).

*if smartctl is not working you will have to install smartmontools



##################Windows#####################
if you are using Windows you could use the "Samsung Magician" software from which you can get all the info too:
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/ ... loads.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[z3r0aCc3Ss]

If he is selling for much lower cost, not to worry as such... coz that SSD might be smuggled in to your country, thus, avoiding customs and taxes. See if the seal is intact.
You can see the packaging, and compare it... See the original packaging on YT.

[bad_brain]

well, not only that, often they simply replace the electronics inside with cheaper components....like putting regular 840 components into a 840 EVO case.

the Samsung tool I linked above helps to identify what drive it REALLY is and also if it's original Samsung....

[ph0bYx]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll try with the Magican software.