Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/1tua1x0/datahoarders_2nd_worse_nightmare/

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The original was posted on /r/datahoarder by /u/dangerclosecustoms on 2026-06-01 23:48:55+00:00.

Obviously the worst nightmare is losing drives and data.

But this one is sort of funny.

Large hard drives are at a premium these days. I got a steal on a WD 18tb drive with only 187 hrs on it and about 50 power cycles. So this is a great drive for me as far as used drives this one is still fresh and minty.

Seller posted the smart info showing the low usage. But also stated drive was only used to store back up of his movies. Not used daily just a back up storage unit.

It arrived today and turns on, great! but it’s full. Seller did not delete their movies from it.

I open the folder and it’s all his titles of just two letters movies and shows that start with M and N so it’s not a complete genre or anything just all their randoms starting with these two letters.

Now for the problem the “nightmare”. I am a data hoarder. I can’t just delete 18tb of movies and shows especially since the majority are not even ones o already have.

So on one hand I just added 18 tb of movies and shows to my collection. On the other hand I didn’t receive 18tb of free space to use. Essentially I’m gaining no hard drive space at all. And potentially need more if I want to back these files up.

Funny problem to have but I figured people on this sub would understand and appreciate my dilemma.

If it came wiped and empty no problem use and enjoy.

But now I with have to go through all these to try to recover some usable space. But as a hoarder how can I possibly delete 18tb of properly named and organized media ? I’m not sure I have the stomach to do such a thing.

Would you want just an empty drive or would you rather have an entire collection to possibly add to your own.

I wish all the used drives I bought came filled.

Or maybe I wish all used drives I bought came empty?