I was reading over this email I received and wondered why would a customer have to pay for shipping back to the place they bought something from to fix a problem. I can't think of the last time I couldn't print up a slip and ship at their dime instead of being out of pocket.
Update to the March 25 Notice for T6es SAS Forensic Bridge Users
March 31, 2011
This bulletin is an update to the T6es Product Bulletin published on March 25, 2011.
Guidance Software has fully characterized the previously-reported manufacturing problem with the Tableau T6es SAS Forensic Bridge. The problem has been traced to a specific IC (integrated circuit) which was failing to operate correctly over the expected temperature range for the T6es. The problem was not present in T6es prototypes and appeared when a new "stepping" (or version) of this IC entered the component/manufacturing supply chain. GSI engineering has determined that the problem can be fixed by a simple change to the T6es circuit board. The change alters the behavior of the IC in question (both new and old steppings), placing this IC in a mode in which it works correctly across the expected range of T6es operating temperatures.
As noted earlier, the write-blocking feature of the T6es was never compromised by this issue. Likewise, GSI engineering has confirmed that the problem was not due to overheating and consequently this issue poses no danger of damage to the T6es or to equipment attached to the T6es. GSI engineering has also conducted a design review of other Tableau brand products which use the same IC and has concluded that none of those products are affected by this issue.
Guidance Software is instituting a recall of T6es units shipped between September, 2010, and March, 2011. Guidance Software will repair or replace T6es units affected by this issue. Customers will be responsible for shipping costs to Guidance Software or to one of its reseller partners. Guidance Software will pay for repair/replacement and return shipping. This recall will remain open for a period of two years, ending March 31, 2013. This recall campaign does not affect or extend Guidance Software's normal warranty policy for T6es failures unrelated to this manufacturing issue.
Units subject to this recall may be identified by the model designation "Tableau T6es" shown on the back label of the T6es unit. All T6es units shipped beginning April 1, 2011, will have been reworked by the factory to fix this problem. All reworked units and all units manufactured after April 1, 2011, have the updated model designation "Tableau T6es-B" shown on the back label and are not subject to this recall.
Guidance Software is planning to make a rotating supply of reworked T6es-B units available to its reseller partners so they can swap-out / replace units from their locations. Guidance Software will make details of this swap-out program available to its reseller partners through a separate communication.
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience caused by this issue, and we appreciate the ongoing patience and support of our end users and reseller partners.
I totally missed that when I got the email. That stinks.
I noticed it also. That's cheap. Glad I don't have that particular model in my kit since all my blockers are Tableau.