7.314 bytes

Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: YAST-3LMLBD

This document is provided to IBM and our Business Partners to help sell and/or service IBM products. It is not to be distributed beyond that audience or used for any other purpose.

IBM OEM Storage - Product and Support Information

Applicable to: World-Wide

Situation:
There may be times when you are looking for an IBM hard disk drive, or other storage products in PartnerInfo or the marketing side of TechTips, and nothing is there.

Resolution:
The most likely explanation is that the product you are searching for is an IBM OEM storage product. This can be checked by visiting the IBM Storage Systems Division's (SSD) home page at:

http://www.storage.ibm.com
or
http://www.almaden.ibm.com/storage/

OR:

- IBM SSD TechFax Service by calling (415) - 855- 4773;
- IBM SSD BBS at (507) 253-4112;
- IBM SSD FTP site at ftp.hddtech.ibm.com;
- IBM e-mail address at hddtech@us.ibm.com;
- IBM SSD fax system at (507) 253-4110;
- IBM SSD Help Desk at 1-888-426-5214 (7AM to 7PM CST).

Situation:
How do I determine if the drive is an IBM OEM drive or an IBM Personal Systems Group Drive?

Solution:
An IBM OEM drive will have a unique label. Currently, IBM OEM will be found on the drive's label in most instances. In the future, the drive's label will identify IBM Storage Systems Division, and the label will not provide a FRU (field replaceable unit) part number. The label may identify a non-PSG P/N (raw drive part number or assembly part number).

An IBM Personal Systems Group Drive will have an IBM unique label. IBM, or IBM Personal Systems Group in the future, will be identified on the drive, not IBM OEM or IBM Storage Systems Division. The label will include an IBM Personal Systems Group part number, and an IBM Personal Systems Group FRU part number. An OEM part number is not shared with a PSG part number.

Situation:
Who provides support for IBM OEM storage products?

Solution:
The IBM Storage Systems Division has its own support channels. In many instances, the Personal Systems Group will have a hard disk drive available to support PSG systems, or Options by IBM hard disk drives that are sold in the retail channel. This presents an opportunity for you to recommend PSG products and their advantages in terms of warranty, service, and support.

Once the drive has been identified as an non Personal Systems Group hard disk drive from SSD, you should handle Endusers and Dealers as outlined below:

Endusers...
- Should be advised of the above mentioned web pages and vehicles provided by SSD for accessing technical or warranty support.
- May contact their point of purchase for technical or warranty support.

Dealers...
- Should be advised of the above mentioned web pages and vehicles provided by SSD for accessing technical or warranty support.
- May return back to their authorized IBM OEM Distributor for technical or warranty support.

Note: Additional technical information on IBM OEM hard disk drives from SSD are found on the web at:

http://www.storage.ibm.com/storage/techsup/hddtech/hddtech.htm
or
http://www.almaden.ibm.com/storage/techsup/hddtech/hddtech.htm

Note: Specific URLs may change. The home page URL is provided above, please navigate by selecting Support and Technical Support for Hard Disk Drives.

Situation:
What is the difference between an IBM OEM hard disk drive and an IBM Personal Systems Group hard disk drive?

Solution:
The IBM Personal Systems Group markets hard disk drives to support IBM Personal Systems Group system units and the retail channel. Through Options by IBM (OBI), the Personal Systems Group has sold hard disk drives that are optimized for use with IBM Personal Systems, are tested with PSG system units, and offer PSG warranty, service, and support. The Personal Systems Group is committed to delivering quality hard disk drives that are compatible and tested for maximum function, and to provide our customers with service and support that our customers expect from IBM.

IBM OEM hard disk drives are intended to be used by companies that manufacture non-IBM systems, as well as the
commercial and industrial channels. Warranty, service, and support for an OEM hard disk drive is more complex.

Keywords: OBI hard drives tape OEM storage

	Search Keywords
	Hint Category	General Information, Hard Drives
	Date Created	05-09-97
	Last Updated	24-11-98
	Revision Date	19-11-99
	Brand	IBM Options
	Product Family	Hard Drives
	Machine Type	under 1 GB, 1.x GB, 2.x GB, 3.x GB, 4.x GB, 5.x GB, 6.x GB, 8.x GB, 9.x GB, 16.x GB, 18.x GB
	Model	All
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes