WD Red 3TB external HDD showing up as 746GB

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  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Windows Sniper said:

    I think you missed my last added comment in there. You may want to check this too.
    Do you mean the bit about hooking it up to a laptop or desktop? This will actually be the most difficult option for me because none of my friends own desktops (yes really, I know, but then neither do I so I can't exactly complain!) and unless I'm mistaken hooking it up to the laptop will involve buying more stuff (the power cable etc)? I'll definitely look into buying the cables, but while I'm waiting for those to arrive I may miss my window of opportunity to get the refund from amazon, so I feel like I'm on borrowed time a bit here.

    I've downloaded a BIOS update for my laptop, but a bit nervous about doing it, are there any risks? I don't have the laptop fully backed-up yet, that's what I bought the HDD for!
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  2. Posts : 611
    Windows 8.1
       #12

    NotGettinJunger said:

    Do you mean the bit about hooking it up to a laptop or desktop? This will actually be the most difficult option for me because none of my friends own desktops (yes really, I know, but then neither do I so I can't exactly complain!) and unless I'm mistaken hooking it up to the laptop will involve buying more stuff (the power cable etc)? I'll definitely look into buying the cables, but while I'm waiting for those to arrive I may miss my window of opportunity to get the refund from amazon, so I feel like I'm on borrowed time a bit here.

    I've downloaded a BIOS update for my laptop, but a bit nervous about doing it, are there any risks? I don't have the laptop fully backed-up yet, that's what I bought the HDD for!
    Right,

    This would be the easiest way in most circumstances sorry! Unfortunately you may be correct about the wait from Amazon. Is there a reason you went 3TB, or could you return it and live with the 2TB version?

    As to updating the BIOS, yes there are risks as with anything you do on a PC. The largest risk is that you could end up bricking your motherboard. But at the same time, I have had no problems in the past with Vendor issued flashes. So whilst you should be absolutely fine, there is still a chance yes..
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  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #13

    I'm sure 2TB would keep me going for ages.....I was originally going to get another 2TB seagate barracuda green to go with the other one, as I've had no problems with it. But of course, I went on amazon, and saw how much they had come down in price, and talked myself into the 3TB because I thought it couldn't do any harm to buy as much storage as I can reasonably afford. I also thought it would give me some space to have copies of the really important stuff on both drives, for a bit of redundancy, rather than a full RAID setup.

    The enclosure only has 2 bays, so once the second 2TB fills up, I'll either have to upgrade to a 4-bay enclosure, or replace one of the 2TB......anyway that's all a way off yet so its not a problem. Just a shame that the manufacturers gave the impression I could pack unlimited capacity into that enclosure when it seems not to be the case.

    AND really strange that WD are claiming the drive has the wrong label or the wrong firmware! I agree it would be nice to be able to test it properly before I send it back, just to be certain. If I ever have more space, time and money, I'd like to have a go at building my own desktop, it seems laptops can't replace them entirely.
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  4. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Windows Sniper said:
    As to updating the BIOS, yes there are risks as with anything you do on a PC. The largest risk is that you could end up bricking your motherboard. But at the same time, I have had no problems in the past with Vendor issued flashes. So whilst you should be absolutely fine, there is still a chance yes..
    Might just wait till I've got a proper backup sorted to be on the safe side!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 408
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #15

    Hello NotGettinJunger!

    I am sorry for this inconvenience!

    First of, I researched your enclosure and in a few reviews it is said to have more or less unlimited HDD capacity. So the problem could lie somewhere else.

    First of, the enclosure is JBOD, so it automatically makes your two drives to be seen as one in the system? If that is so two different partition tables won't work; since the 3TB needs to be GPT, it's better both to be GPT. But your first 2TB MBR drive is full and you can't change the partition table unless erasing the data.

    I too would suggest you the easiest quickest way to try and fix the issue.

    You need access to a PC with UEFI BIOS to connect the drive internally and initialize it in GPT and it should show up with its full 3TB capacity (2.7TB actually).

    Until you are able to test the drive on such a PC or at least connect the drive with USB to SATA adapters to your laptop, the troubleshooting process becomes a bit harder. :/

    Post back!

    CK_WD
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,656
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #16

    CKWD said:
    You need access to a PC with UEFI BIOS to connect the drive internally and initialize it in GPT and it should show up with its full 3TB capacity (2.7TB actually).
    Hey CKWD, why the need to connect to a UEFI BIOS PC?

    Enlighten please :)
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  7. Posts : 408
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #17

    Hi :)

    I suppose I mentioned UEFI as it is standard nowadays to have it generally and when installing a drive larger than 2.2 TB. Practically, it's only obligatory if OP plans to eventually boot from that drive, otherwise he will just need Initializing in GPT.

    I am eager to see OP's response to see what can be done further. :)

    CK_WD
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,656
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #18

    Thanks for the clarification, yes, larger ones work as data drives whether UEFI or not.
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  9. Posts : 8
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Sorry for the delay. I couldn't work out a way to get access to a PC (within a reasonable timeframe) so I took my chance to send it back. I hope this hasn't wasted anyone's time, I really appreciate the responses. I'll just go back to plan A and buy a cheaper 2TB seagate as that will definitely work with the enclosure....and postpone the problem till that one fills up!

    CKWD - I wasn't planning to boot from that drive; it goes in the jbod enclosure and then attaches to my NAS to extend backup capacity. The 2 drives were showing up seperately in the system.
    Last edited by NotGettinJunger; 04 Jun 2015 at 06:42. Reason: added info
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  10. Posts : 611
    Windows 8.1
       #20

    NotGettinJunger said:
    Sorry for the delay. I couldn't work out a way to get access to a PC (within a reasonable timeframe) so I took my chance to send it back. I hope this hasn't wasted anyone's time, I really appreciate the responses. I'll just go back to plan A and buy a cheaper 2TB seagate as that will definitely work with the enclosure....and postpone the problem till that one fills up!

    CKWD - I wasn't planning to boot from that drive; it goes in the jbod enclosure and then attaches to my NAS to extend backup capacity. The 2 drives were showing up seperately in the system.
    No problem what so ever!

    Just a shame that we didn't have the news you were looking for!
      My Computer


 
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