Purchasing issues

[Pooya]

We are inquiring about a recent purchase of forty (40) HPE P40543-B21 1.92TB SATA RI SSDs (manufactured by Intel). Despite assurances from the supplier that these are new, the reverse side of each drive (see attached image) suggests prior use. The supplier claims Intel uses a manufacturing process resulting in this finish. We request confirmation of this claim and, if accurate, its rationale.

[Subhashish]

Hello Pooya,

Greetings !!

Thank you for contacting Intel Server Support. We understand that you have purchased 40 Units of HPE P40543-B21 which are Solidigm SSD (Formerly Intel NAND SSD D3 S4510).

But these are not retail Solidigm drives but HPE OEM Drives. OEMs like HPE purchase drives in bulk from Intel. Now for the rear side, as per the image attached, which seems to have a black or dark glaze/shade seen , which may be there in metallic cases/surface from manufacture, but to see if the drive is used one, only HPE can confirm this. 

The drive front side should also have some markings, with HPE specific Serial numbers. If there is tint in paint or scratches too that may make it look like used, then please share the complete image (front and rear views) with HPE support so that they can check the Serial number and confirm if this was used associated with any of their system in past or a refurb unit from their end which was later sold by the supplier/distributor.

Hence we recommend you to contact HPE support to confirm this. As there is no other action required from our end, we are proceeding to archive this request from our end.

Thank you for choosing Intel Products and Services.

Regards,

Subhashish_Intel.