I discovered that the characters used in that style are called "Block" or "High" ascii and are only found in DOS! That explains why I've never been able to make that style on linux.
There was a slip on the bottom of the box with a return label so it's most likely my fault for not noticing it. I only saw it 3 weeks after they sent it and I started getting the emails from them. And by then it was too late. Still I would have really appreciated someone telling me about this policy from the start.
Either way, regardless of who is at fault I just want to actually talk to someone and resolve the issue. I've been on the phone for 1 hour this morning and someone is actually listening and trying to help so that's a plus. :)
The lesson I am taking away from this is: Regardless of what a company claims, I am going to hold on to the old one for at least a month after. Just in case they change their mind.
Plus I also drill my dead HDDs anyway if it isn't encrypted, and keep them for at least a year to let the data (e.g. passwords, banking information) become less valuable to an identity thief.
Even a dead HDD is still often recoverable (depending on HOW it died, a lot have electronic failures or the head dies, the platters remain in working order). And while realistically nobody wants to steal my data, why take the risk? Drilling a HDD takes five minutes, and tipping salt water in takes a few seconds...
