Turns out it's not exactly the same as previous ones I've bought. Slightly
smaller, and with a different style USB connection on the drive.
More importantly it shows an error in device manager, and a driver update
fails to find anything to correct the error.
I have done a backup (but not a restore) with it, with no indicated error,
but I should really find the correct driver to loose the exclamation mark.
Anyone else had this?
TIA
Andy
Windows fails to locate drivers for an external hard drive
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1708&p_created=1197400455&p_sid=kTdKW3Sj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_srch=1&p_lva=1708&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NTYsNTYmcF9wcm9kcz0yMjgsMTk1LDI1NSZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PTMuMjU1JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9c2VzIGRldmljZQ!!&p_li=&p_topview=1
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Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Andyba" <andy_b...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:#4aCkdfl...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
I have looked at that page previously too, and originally assumed that OS
support in Windows 7 would include OS support in SBS2008, but not apparently
so.
My attempts to get rid of the driver error have involved:
Update to firmware. (EssentialEliteFirmwareUpdaterv1.032_1.0.7.4)
Update to Smartware. (WDSmartWare_SoftwareUpdater_for_Windows_1_2_0_7a)
Use of Virtual CD manager to remove the Virtual CD.
(WDSmartWareVirtualCDManagerforWindows-v1.0.7.4)
Then a full NTFS format.
Finally when configured as an SBS 2008 backup drive it will have received
another trashing!
It's presently formatted NTFS and not configured as an SBS backup drive.
I've just tried it now on OS's that have never seen it before, and have no
WD software installed.
XP SP3. Wanted to connect to the internet to find a driver. Same device
manager error as SBS2008. Presently I've not connected to try and find one.
Shows up as G: in Disk Management, but does not appear in "My Computer".
Vista and Windows 7. Same device manager error and cancelled driver search
as XP, except it did show in "Computer", and I was able to read and write.
I'd like to control the driver install so I know were it comes from, hence
the reason for not allowing Vista and Windows 7 to search the internet.
I thought SBS backup was going to be easy, and it was with the previous WD
Passport, but this new beast has me searching for a tape drive!
Rgds
"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23K3n8ch...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Andyba" <andy_b...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:urgRMSpl...@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
There is some more info here, and a link to a driver, although I don't think
I'll try it on a server.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1104424-new-wd-passport-smartware.html
>It appears Western Digital has taken an otherwise good drive and turned it
>into a brick. Sad to see this as I've been using their Passport drives for
>the past 3 years without incident.
Yup
The comments about the dodgey connector convinced me. Not what you want when
you are changing drives regularly!
>At this point, I would return the drive for a full refund and go to their
>competition for an external hard drive.
Any Reccomendations?
Rgds
Andy
Seagate FreeAgent Go 500 GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-Portable-External-ST905003FGA2E1-RK/dp/B001FWCDQG
I've seen some data that suggests that the USB connectors on most consumer
and business grade equipment is really only intended for 50-500 connects or
disconnects. To reduce the wear and tear on the external drive connector
and on the server's USB connector, I usually buy a (Male A-to-Female A)
extender USB cable, connect it to the server, connect the USB cable that
comes with the external USB drive to that drive and then mate the two
cables. When it comes time to switch out external drives, I break the
connection between the extender cable and the external drive's USB cable,
always leaving the USB cable connected to the external drive and the
extender cable connected to the server. The second external drive, again
with it's short USB cable always connected to it, is then connected to the
extender cable. This seems to work well.
--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Andyba" <andy_b...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:#ff8F6sl...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
For swapping, HP has some nice 2.5" drives (320gb), that slip into a cradle
like a cell phone charging cradle - might save the connectors some stress.
They also come with a zip-up carrying case.
--
-----------------------------------------------
Les Connor [SBS MVP]
"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OdGt1atl...@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Les Connor [SBS MVP]" <les.c...@DEL.cfive.ca> wrote in message
news:OdheUz4l...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
--
-----------------------------------------------
Les Connor [SBS MVP]
"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eJKxbY6l...@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Les Connor [SBS MVP]" <les.c...@DEL.cfive.ca> wrote in message
news:uQOiwhEm...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
(the "dock" is the one on the left; best picture I could find)
http://www.geek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/packagecontents.jpg
This may be the way to go if you want to use the Freeagent laptop drives.
--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OinPirEm...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/160906
Similar to the Freeagent, but a bit cheaper, with 2yr warranty as opposed to
five, if it doesn't get lost before then!
Standard mini-usb too. Doesn't look like it will fit that cradle as the
socket is on a long edge.
More importantly it connected, and configured straight off, with no problem.
Done a test backup fine, so off to the clients it goes tomorrow.
Rgds
"Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OUuVYUGm...@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...