WD My Passport Ultra Metal 1TB

feetand nches · 04 Sep 2017

Just got my new Drive to backup my OS's, but am a little unsure how to go about it. I already Registered it and am reading the directions.

1. First off, do I install any of the WD Software if I plan on using this Drive just for OS Images, using something like Macrium Reflect?

I plan on using it to backup multiple computer Images if possible, and I have kept those drives relatively small just for this. I keep all my files offline on Flash Drives.

2. Can I use this to backup multiple computer Drives?

3. Can I use the WD Security Software to protect my Drive Information, or is that all unreadable?

4. What about the Drive Utilities, is this Installed to my computer, and not the Drive itself, and is it worth Installing?

Thanks, Nasty

RolandJS · 04 Sep 2017

I cannot speak for WD software because I do not use any kind of such from any manufacturer, just my choice :)
I can speak for a few of the many 3rd party backup / restore / cloning programs: Macrium Reflect, Image for Windows, Acronis True Image -- such does not need any of WD's or any other manufacturer's software to do the jobs of backup, restoring, cloning.
Be aware that if this particular WD HD uses onboard/circuit level encryption, one better become very familiar how such hard-drives and its circuit-board-level encryption works.

billmcct · 05 Sep 2017

I use 6 of these drives. I always delete the enclosed software though the included SES driver may be needed.
2x 2TB
4x 4TB
The drives come with backup software but there is much better out there.
the drives do not use hardware encryption so your OK there.

feetand nches · 05 Sep 2017

billmcct said:

I use 6 of these drives. I always delete the enclosed software though the included SES driver may be needed.
2x 2TB
4x 4TB
The drives come with backup software but there is much better out there.
the drives do not use hardware encryption so your OK there.

Gotcha, that is what I was thinking but never done this before.

Thank you very much billmcct, now I can get on with my backups. I think I'll use Macrium Reflect. I've used AOMEI before but that is quite easy to do with a USB like I was doing. Don't know which is the most popular Macrium or AOMEI?

Thanks, Nasty

mjf · 05 Sep 2017

billmcct said:

the drives do not use hardware encryption so your OK there.

I'd also not bother with the WD backup software. Many people here like Macrium (including me) and others seems to like AOMEI - try both and make your own decision.

I'm not familiar with these particular drives but the WD link suggests they do have hardware encryption
https://www.wdc.com/products/wd-rece...tra-metal.html
I stopped using WD My book essentials for a number of reasons and hardware encryption was one of the reasons. If the interface electronics fails data recovery is virtually impossible. Also some backup drives use a proprietary usb 3 to drive interface and don't have standard internal sata connections. This means you can't just pull the HDD out of the enclosure and connect it to a sata port or stick it in a docking station.
Nevertheless, they are neat little portables and get good reviews. I'd just make sure I had my precious data backed up on more than one.

feetand nches · 05 Sep 2017

Interesting mjf, what product would you suggest next time? I went with this one because it was inexpensive...oh...and it looked cool LOL...I like the Metal finish. And of course it is quite portable. I wonder if I can boot an OS off this also?

I have some Linux Drives also, so wanted to become familiar with Macrium, because I've been told, and seen, that it is more friendly backing up Dual Boot systems also. Not for this pc now, but just in general. I may dual boot this one at some point also.

I guess I'll copy all the files to a USB and then just use the drive. I did see one file that may be a Driver that would be good to install, but I don't know for sure, will read up again.

Inside "WD Apps for Windows" I see "WD SES Driver Setup" do you guys think I should run the Driver Setup?

Thanks

billmcct · 05 Sep 2017

The My Book drives have hardware encryption as a standard. The My Passport drives will work as a standard drive unless it is set up to use encryption. Yes you can use it as a Boot drive.
You may want to install the Drive utilities too to check the drive condition since there are no SMART attributes.

feetand nches · 05 Sep 2017

Thanks a million billmcct, just Updated the Driver and Deleting all the junk Software!

mjf · 05 Sep 2017

Nasty7 said:

Interesting mjf, what product would you suggest next time? I went with this one because it was inexpensive...oh...and it looked cool LOL...I like the Metal finish. And of course it is quite portable. I wonder if I can boot an OS off this also?

I use 2 approaches. 1) Docking stations 2) Buy your own enclosure. For both you buy your own bare HDD (I use WDs) - the sort you would connect to a PC sata drive. I use the more robust larger usb 3 connectors not the micro USB 3 connectors which I have found unreliable.

I got curious and looked the manual. It suggests hardware encryption needs to be enabled by setting a password. I'm still not sure if the internal drive has standard sata connections.
4779-705126.pdf

Windows 7 is not designed to boot from a portable.

feetand nches · 05 Sep 2017

Good info mjf, I do have a Docking Station. I do use WD also, and just bought a nice 3.0 Extender cable.

May only boot a linux system if I get another drive, my pc only holds one, it's a MiniTower and don't want to use the Optical Drive connector.

I don't know what to choose when Installing Macrium, there are two choices.