WD Smartware Virtual CD Erased in Initializing new Passport Studio for Windows XP?

WD External Drives WD Portable Drives
1

Hi All,

I feel so dumb…trying to install the Passport on my Windows XP system. Was prompted to initialize the new ex. drive, then partition. Did so just fine. This apprently erased the WD Smartware Virtual CD needed to actually *USE* the device! Can anyone advise how to download this software from WD? Thanks very much…

Teri

2

Hi dude, the VCD is not neede to use the device, it’s only needed to install Smartware if you don’t download it from the WD Web site. If the partition was indeed successful, you should be able to see your Passport in My Computer and copy files directly into it, as it is its natural function.

The VCD should not be gone after formatting a Studio, as it runs the old firmware (Before Jun 15, WD website info) which has the old VCD (700 MB, has all Smartware files and tools) instead of the new VCD after Jun 15 (20 MB,  only has the unlocker and a quick formatter). However, if you did lose the files and want to recover them, here you have WD’ KB article 5419, which states how to recover the Smartware files (Extras folder, Smartware installer, user manual, etc.): http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5419&p_created=1271690740&p_sid=KQhT_Sdk&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_srch=1&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MSwxJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD01NDE5&p_li=&p_topview=1

Also, if I were you, I’d call WD just to make sure there’s nothing wrong with your Passport Studio, since the info on WD’s Web site states the unit should not lose its VCD due to the age of the firmware, just in case.

Hope it helps!!