A problem with defining a new external Hard Disk

[a cooperator]

Hi,
I have just connected a new external Hard Disk with my Laptop. However, it is not shown the computer. When I checked over it in the Devices Manager, I have found it listed in the list of Hard Disk Drivers. When I click on the its properties , I notice that the device is working well in the frame of the status of the device.
However, I found out there is a question mark on this hard disk in the other devices tree.

I have tried connecting it via USB2/USB3, but this makes no difference.
When I immediately connected it, I notice Windows notified that there is a new detected device. But in eventually I didn't found it defined.

I have tried clicking a right- click on it, then I have chosen 'update the operating program'. But this also didn't make any difference.

On top of that,
When I have opened a program which is specialist in the division of discs, I found it shown. However, I didn't found all of its capacity shown. It is 1TB(1024GB); however, what is shown is 931.48GB
If I split it with this program regardless of whether or not it is defined and will be shown in my computer, will it be damaged??

Any comments would be quite highly appreciated.

If I split with this program regardless of whether or not it will be shown in my computer, will it be damage?
Any comments would be quite highly appreciated.

 

[a cooperator]

I have restarted my computer now and it became shown in my comupter. However, it still has a question mark on it in the other devices list in the devices manager.

However, I didn't also found its entire capacity shown. It is 1TB(1024GB); however, what is shown is 931.48GB

 

[solarmystic]

Hello there a cooperator!

The question mark in your devices list in the devices manager for the WD SES Device USB Device is nothing to worry about, i have the same external hard disk and it works perfectly without resolving the that question mark...

The device is 1 TB according to the manufacturer; they define 1 TB as 1000000000000 bytes, in base 10, while Windows defines 1 TB as 1099511627776 bytes in base 2... so after doing some math, 931GB (1000000000000 bytes divided by 1024 for KB, 1024 for MB,1024 for GB) is about right for the size of your hard disk as reported by windows...

Hope that helps!

 

[a cooperator]

Hello there a cooperator!

The question mark in your devices list in the devices manager for the WD SES Device USB Device is nothing to worry about, i have the same external hard disk and it works perfectly without resolving the that question mark...

The device is 1 TB according to the manufacturer; they define 1 TB as 1000000000000 bytes, in base 10, while Windows defines 1 TB as 1099511627776 bytes in base 2... so after doing some math, 931GB (1000000000000 bytes divided by 1024 for KB, 1024 for MB,1024 for GB) is about right for the size of your hard disk as reported by windows...

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much indeed, Solar,

As long as you have the same HD, I would respectfully like you to answer me on some little questions:

First: I have a program(WD SmartWare) which came inside the HD, I have read in its manual that program(WD SmartWare) helps to make automatically a bakeup copy for any data changed or added without any interfere from the user. So, my question is that HD will be full with this automatically backup.

Second:I have also read in that user manual If I install that WD SmartWare, and then I have uninstall it. After that, I needed to reinstall it, I will need to re-download from the site of Western Digital. Next, I should move it to my passport(External HD) Finally: reinstall it. This is quite difficult and long. Why will I not be able to reinstall from the my HD as long as I didn't deleted the setup of WD SmartWare from my HD(my Passport)

Finally: I have opened that new external HD of mine with the computer management tool as in this screenshot below:

I have these questions:

(A): Why did I not see the entire capacity (1000GB/1TB)?

(B): Why are there two sections :the first 'I' and the other is unspecific location/space, although I didn't split it?

(C): Could you give me any way to split this new HD with this computer management tool

Any comment would be quite greatly appreciated.

 

[solarmystic]

Hello again.

To answer your questions:-

1. I do not use WD Smartware as i use my own program (Acronis True Image Home) to make backups of my hard disks. I do believe however that Smartware can be configured by the user to adjust the frequency of backups and you can set aside how much space you would like to use for your backups

2. Well it seems like you should be able to install it as long as the setup files are on the HDD itself and are not deleted.

3a. As i've mentioned in my previous post , Windows will not see 1000GB, only 931GB due to the differences in how manufacturers and Windows define Mega,Giga and Terabytes...

b. and c. I believe you can extend the current partition to fill up the rest of the unallocation space, but if you want to do it Windows, the easiest/simplest way would be to just delete the current partition and then make a new one to cover the whole drive...

Hope that helps!

 

[a cooperator]

Hello again.


b. and c. I believe you can extend the current partition to fill up the rest of the unallocation space, but if you want to do it Windows, the easiest/simplest way would be to just delete the current partition and then make a new one to cover the whole drive...

Hope that helps!

Thank you again for your continuing with this issue,

First, I think that the capacity of my HD shown is 963GB((I:NTFS:931GB), (32GB unallocated)

I think my HD has one split partition(I:NTFS:931GB) and another undivided one(32GB)
But I want to merge them together and spit them again into three partitions.

Is there not any tutorial to split a new HD.?

 

[a cooperator]

After I have defined the HDD with a program which came inside HDD.
First: I notice that the question mark has been hidden
Second: If you have a look at this screenshot, you will be finding out that the unspecific partition which was shown the first screenshot has been hidden and the entire HDD become primary partition.

My questions are:

First: Could you let me know what that unspecific partition(32MB) which was shown for? And what dose mean that it has been hidden when I defined the HDD?

As far as I know that this partition is divided as one partition with system file "NTFS", My questions are:
(A) Who divided it?
(B)Could you give me any tutorial to divide this one partition into some partitions?

 

[a cooperator]

2. Well it seems like you should be able to install it as long as the setup files are on the HDD itself and are not deleted.

!

Thank you very much
But please could you have a look at this note which is available at the user manual for WD HDD

Uninstalling the WD SmartWare Software:
To uninstall the WD SmartWare software:
1. Remove it from 'Remove/add programs in the control panel
Important: You can easily uninstall the software. However, you will need to restart the backup job manually after reinstalling the software as uninstalling deletes all existing backup job configurations. (See “Backing Up Your Computer Files” on page 15.)

 

[F5ing]

a cooperator, can you post a screenshot of PartitionWizard one more time, now that the disk layout has been changed?

 

[a cooperator]

a cooperator, can you post a screenshot of PartitionWizard one more time, now that the disk layout has been changed?

Thank you so much indeed,

Yes, the disk returned into its first layout when it had a question mark on it in the devices manager, although the question mark is no longer on it now. I am quite surprised because I found the disk layout like this screenshot below in the first time I have connect it with the computer.

However, when I went to devices manager and clicked 'right-click' on a question mark on the disk in the other devices list. After that, I have updated the operating program during navigating into the HDD(My passport) in my computer. Next, I have chosen "WD SES Device Driver' inside the extras folder available in HDD. Finally, when I have run computer management again I found out that the disk layout has been changed and 'unallocated partition' has been hidden as it is shown in my screenshot in my post#7 one day ago. Also, I have found that a question mark has been hidden and the hard disk become shown without any question mark until now.

My questions are:

First: Could you let me know what that unspecific partition(32MB) which was shown for? And what dose mean that it has been hidden when I defined the HDD?

Second: As far as I know that this partition is divided as one partition with system file "NTFS", my question is:Who divided it?

Third: Although I had no problem even when the question mark was still shown on the hard disk (as my screenshot in my post#2 four days ago) because I could browse the WD HDD during clicking on its drive's letter in my computer, I didn't know what is the benefit from updating the operating program which eventually caused to remove the question mark and show the disk as it is in the second screenshot above.

Finally: I want to install the WD SmartWare Software, but when I have read this I have been confused
Uninstalling the WD SmartWare Software:
To uninstall the WD SmartWare software remove it from 'Remove/add programs in the Control Panel
Important: You can easily uninstall the software. However, you will need to restart the backup job manually after reinstalling the software as uninstalling deletes all existing backup job configurations. (See “Backing Up Your Computer Files” on page 15.)

 

[F5ing]

First: Could you let me know what that unspecific partition(32MB) which was shown for? And what dose mean that it has been hidden when I defined the HDD?

This is why I asked if you could post a screenshot of PartitionWizard one more time. I have a hard time (impossible) reading Disk Management in your default language.

Second: As far as I know that this partition is divided as one partition with system file "NTFS", my question is:Who divided it?

Not sure but I would suspect it has something to do with the original WD software that is/was on it. WD may have protected the software against unintended deletion/tampering by placing it in a separate partition on the drive (maybe even hidden).

Third: Although I had no problem even when the question mark was still shown on the hard disk (as my screenshot in my post#2 four days ago) because I could browse the WD HDD during clicking on its drive's letter in my computer, I didn't know what is the benefit from updating the operating program which eventually caused to remove the question mark and show the disk as it is in the second screenshot above.

Don't know the answer here. When you mention updating the operating program are you talking about the WD software?

Finally: I want to install the WD SmartWare Software, but when I have read this I have been confused
Uninstalling the WD SmartWare Software:
To uninstall the WD SmartWare software remove it from 'Remove/add programs in the Control Panel
Important: You can easily uninstall the software. However, you will need to restart the backup job manually after reinstalling the software as uninstalling deletes all existing backup job configurations. (See “Backing Up Your Computer Files” on page 15.)

Although I've got some WD externals I've never used their software. Usually just take a look at it then wipe it and set up the disk how I want it. I would think all it means is that any backup schedules (where you would identify when, how and what you want to backup) have to be recreated. In other words it sounds like they are warning you that simply reinstalling the program does not restart backup protection. You also have to create and fire up schedules (ie, backup jobs).

 

[a cooperator]

Thank you so much
This is the screenshot of Patitionwizard: The HDD is the second one.

 

[a cooperator]

Don't know the answer here. When you mention updating the operating program are you talking about the WD software?

There are two program available inside HDD, WD SmartWare whose installation will also guide to install the WD SES Driver. However, when install WD SES Driver will not guide to install WD SmartWare. Also, when I clicked right-click on HDD on the manage device, then I chose 'update operating program', after that, I navigate into the HDD to chose the WD SES Device Driver which is operating program for HDD. This WD SES Device Driver didn't put any icon on the desktop or any icon of it in any place and even it doesn't found int the programs list. It is only operating program for 'Sun Microsystem, Inc(USB).

However, WD SmartWare has icon on the desktop and has window interface. However, I haven't installed it yet, but I have read the user manual. I only clicked 'right-click' for the 'question mark' and then chose the update operating program.

Although I've got some WD externals I've never used their software. Usually just take a look at it then wipe it and set up the disk how I want it. I would think all it means is that any backup schedules (where you would identify when, how and what you want to backup) have to be recreated. In other words it sounds like they are warning you that simply reinstalling the program does not restart backup protection. You also have to create and fire up schedules (ie, backup jobs).

Could you please download this user manual and read the section of installing and uninstalling for the WD SmartWare Software and let me know what that means?

 

[F5ing]

There are two program available inside HDD, WD SmartWare whose installation will also guide to install the WD SES Driver. However, when install WD SES Driver will not guide to install WD SmartWare. Also, when I clicked right-click on HDD on the manage device, then I chose 'update operating program', after that, I navigate into the HDD to chose the WD SES Device Driver which is operating program for HDD. This WD SES Device Driver didn't put any icon on the desktop or any icon of it in any place and even it doesn't found int the programs list. It is only operating program for 'Sun Microsystem, Inc(USB).

However, WD SmartWare has icon on the desktop and has window interface. However, I haven't installed it yet, but I have read the user manual. I only clicked 'right-click' for the 'question mark' and then chose the update operating program.

They are two totally different and independent pieces of software, and used for different purposes:

• SmartWare: WD's backup application
• SES Device Driver: "enhances" the communication between your OS and your external hard drive.

The Smartware software will be listed in your programs list when installed. The SES Device Driver will not, you'll see it when you look at the properties of the device in Device Management.

The special device driver is not "needed" to use the drive. It only allows use of additional features. I did a quick search for "SES Device Driver" on WD's website and found this:

The SES driver is not required for your drive to be recognized by your computer.

Your new Western Digital My Passport/My Book hard drive requires a special communications channel (SCSI) between your PC and the drive to enable certain features such as password protection, LED control, and access to the drives label if applicable.

The link is What is the SES driver, why is it needed, and how to get the driver popup to stop

Could you please download this user manual and read the section of installing and uninstalling for the WD SmartWare Software and let me know what that means?

I've got a copy of the manual and read the part about uninstalling. I explained what I thought it meant, so I'm unsure what more you're looking for. Is there something that you don't understand about what I stated or is it something else about install/uninstall you need help with?

 

[a cooperator]

I've got a copy of the manual and read the part about uninstalling. I explained what I thought it meant, so I'm unsure what more you're looking for. Is there something that you don't understand about what I stated or is it something else about install/uninstall you need help with?

Thank you very much
I would only like to know that I if I installed and configured the WD SmartWare Software to suit me. After that, I found it very beneficial program because it creates automatically a backup of the data. If I have uninstalled it for any reasons, and then reinstalled and configured it again to suit my purposes. My question is: Will it be working like it was working in its first installation?

If no, then I would be asking it won't be working even if I have reconfigured it to start automatically creating a backup. Because I understood this "note" as this understanding.
Important: You can easily uninstall the software. However, you will need to restart the backup job manually after reinstalling the software as uninstalling deletes all existing backup job configurations. (See “Backing Up Your Computer Files” on page 15.)

 

[a cooperator]

Finally: Could you let me know what is that unspecific partition(32MB) which was shown for?

 

[F5ing]

Thank you very much
I would only like to know that I if I installed and configured the WD SmartWare Software to suit me. After that, I found it very beneficial program because it creates automatically a backup of the data. If I have uninstalled it for any reasons, and then reinstalled and configured it again to suit my purposes. My question is: Will it be working like it was working in its first installation?

If no, then I would be asking it won't be working even if I have reconfigured it to start automatically creating a backup. Because I understood this "note" as this understanding.
Important: You can easily uninstall the software. However, you will need to restart the backup job manually after reinstalling the software as uninstalling deletes all existing backup job configurations. (See “Backing Up Your Computer Files” on page 15.)

The way I understand it, if you uninstall it and then reinstall it, you will need to redo every step you did the first time when you do the second install. If you want it to work the exact same way.

Keep in mind though, I've never used it, it's just what I read from the manual.

Are you maybe worried about losing your own personal data if you uninstall? Unforunately I cannot answer that as I see no metion of it in the manual. I couldn't even find if it backed up files in an open or proprietary format.

Finally: Could you let me know what is that unspecific partition(32MB) which was shown for?

Not sure. Did you see that extra partition the first time you plugged it in? Or did it appear later, after installing WD software? I have a feeling it may have something to do with one of the extra features it offers, specifically the drive's password protection feature. Apparently if you use that feature and you later decide to connect it for temporary use on another computer that doesn't have the WD software installed, you need a way to unlock it before using it. Rather than install the WD software you can just unlock it if you load up a special virtual CD and running a program. From the manual:

Start the Drive Unlock utility by either:

• Using your computer’s file management utility to open the WD Unlocker virtual CD and double-clicking the unlock application file—either Unlock.exe or WD
  Drive Unlock.exe, depending on the type and model of the external drive
• Clicking Start > My Computer and double-clicking the WD Unlocker virtual
  CD icon under Devices with Removable Storage

I have a feeling that if you install and set up all the WD features (including drive locking) you might see that extra partition change it's status from unallocated.

I found this, that appears to confirm the above info: osx - How do I remove a MyBook's "WD SmartWare" virtual CD from my desktop? - Super User. Although the user has a Mac I would expect it may be similar for w7.

If no other members respond to clarify, you might try going to WD forums to see what you can find: WD Software - Western Digital Community

 

[a cooperator]

Are you maybe worried about losing your own personal data if you uninstall? Unforunately I cannot answer that as I see no metion of it in the manual. I couldn't even find if it backed up files in an open or proprietary format.

Thank you so much,
I am not worried about losing my own personal data, because I don't have quite important data until now. But what I want to know is that I would like to know is, will quite the good feature(automatically creating a backup for any changing or adding data) for using WD SmartWare be continuing work when I reinstall it?

I couldn't even find if it backed up files in an open or proprietary format.

What do you mean with backup files which has an open or proprietary format?

I have never ever heard about this, I also know that there are other softwares (such as Acronis)that create a backup, but they create a normal backup without any mention such a format.

Not sure. Did you see that extra partition the first time you plugged it in? Or did it appear later, after installing WD software? I have a feeling it may have something to do with one of the extra features it offers, specifically the drive's password protection feature. Apparently if you use that feature and you later decide to connect it for temporary use on another computer that doesn't have the WD software installed, you need a way to unlock it before using it. Rather than install the WD software you can just unlock it if you load up a special virtual CD and running a program. From the manual:

No, when I first connect the HDD to my computer, I have found that unallocated partition(32MB) shown? So, I was expecting when I define the HDD during clicking right-click on the HDD on the devices manager and then click on 'updating operating program', I would find that that unallocated partition(32MB) will be hidden, especially when the question mark on it has been hidden after updating operating program.

Start the Drive Unlock utility by either:

• Using your computer’s file management utility to open the WD Unlocker virtual CD and double-clicking the unlock application file—either Unlock.exe or WD
  Drive Unlock.exe, depending on the type and model of the external drive
• Clicking Start > My Computer and double-clicking the WD Unlocker virtual
  CD icon under Devices with Removable Storage

I have a feeling that if you install and set up all the WD features (including drive locking) you might see that extra partition change it's status from unallocated.

I haven't installed WD SmartWare until now, what I have done is only that when I have found unallocated partition and a question mark on the disk in devices manager, I said to myself that when I update the operating program for WD HDD, the question mark along with an unallocated partition would be disappeared. However, the question mark has been only disappeared by updating operating program.

 

[F5ing]

I am not worried about losing my own personal data, because I don't have quite important data until now. But what I want to know is that I would like to know is, will quite the good feature(automatically creating a backup for any changing or adding data) for using WD SmartWare be continuing work when I reinstall it?

The manual says "yes, it will work, but only after you set it up the same way you did the first time".

What do you mean with backup files which has an open or proprietary format?

I have never ever heard about this, I also know that there are other softwares (such as Acronis)that create a backup, but they create a normal backup without any mention such a format.

Over the years there have been some backup programs that backed up data files in its own "proprietary" format. Even some backup programs from Microsoft did this. That means you must use the backup program itself before you can open the file.

I refer to "open" format to backup programs that simply copy files directly. If it backs up by simply copying files, I don't need to use the backup program to recover. An ".exe" file gets copied (backed up) as an ".exe", an ".xls" as an ".xls", etc. The backed up files are usable without having to use the backup program first.

Unless I install it and try it, I can't say for sure what format it'll be in.

No, when I first connect the HDD to my computer, I have found that unallocated partition(32MB) shown? So, I was expecting when I define the HDD during clicking right-click on the HDD on the devices manager and then click on 'updating operating program', I would find that that unallocated partition(32MB) will be hidden, especially when the question mark on it has been hidden after updating operating program.

I haven't installed WD SmartWare until now, what I have done is only that when I have found unallocated partition and a question mark on the disk in devices manager, I said to myself that when I update the operating program for WD HDD, the question mark along with an unallocated partition would be disappeared. However, the question mark has been only disappeared by updating operating program.

I think you have to install most all of the WD software to find out what finally happens with that partition.

It'll help you understand it much better if you install it and start using it.

Read my prior post again, and check out that link to the WD forum.

 

[a cooperator]

Over the years there have been some backup programs that backed up data files in its own "proprietary" format. Even some backup programs from Microsoft did this. That means you must use the backup program itself before you can open the file.

I refer to "open" format to backup programs that simply copy files directly. If it backs up by simply copying files, I don't need to use the backup program to recover. An ".exe" file gets copied (backed up) as an ".exe", an ".xls" as an ".xls", etc. The backed up files are usable without having to use the backup program first.

Unless I install it and try it, I can't say for sure what format it'll be in.

Thank you so much indeed,

I really still don't understand what you mean with backup files which has an open or proprietary format.

I would like to ask you a question whose answer maybe will help me to understand this thing:
My question is, I know software which create a backup copies, such as Acronis Image, Norton Ghost and so on. Do these software have this feature?
If no, could you give me some of these backup programs which have this feature?