Western Digital 160GB 2.5-inch Passport USB Portable Hard Drive by Western Digital
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Digital camera reviews of Western Digital 160GB 2.5-inch Passport USB Portable Hard Drive
Digital camera Review: Does not work with some laptops (no solution)
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this product with much anticipation. Great size, nice little case and 160GB.
I had problem after problem since I got it and WD tech support SUX!!!!
I first got the drive and tried to perform a sync using the supplied software. My computer locked up during that process and after reboot I was unable to access 4GB of data on the drive. That is where the sync data was stored. I called WD and they said sorry, you have to delete the drive partition and reformat the drive. So I delete the partition, re-add the partition but the drive won't format.
I run the diagnostic and it says "Cable test failed". I got on the phone with tech support again and they say I must have a bad cable. I happen to have another cable so I try that. No luck. Tech support says it must be a bad drive.
I ship back my drive and they send me a new one. SAME PROBLEMS.
So I do my own due diligance research.
This drive requires 650mA of power from your USB port. I got this from Western Digitals website and I DO NOT THINK THAT IS POWER REQUIREMENT IS STANDARD. I have a brand new Dell laptop and those USB ports only output 500mA.
I called Tech support to ask about this and they will not aknowledge the problem. They said the only problems they have had reported are on old notebooks and there passport drive will work with any newer laptop. I repeated my claim that it had to be a power problem. The tech said it can't be a power problem because my laptop would not even recognize it. I think that is a bunch of BS and nonsense.
I am now forced to return it.
PS - I was told a "Y" USB Cable might work becauase it is supposed to grab power from two USB ports. It did not work for me.
Not a solid product for universal use!!!
Digital camera Review: Does what is should do
Summary: 4 Stars
This smart mobile HD does what it should do: it saves data effectively and is fast. Besides, it is small, quite and looks cool. Though, it uses quite some energy from your laptop battery while running on battery only.Digital camera Review: Doesn't work without a seperate power supply.
Summary: 1 Stars
The fine type on the package reads, "a special cable is available for the few computers that restrict bus power". That should actually read, "MOST computers restrict bus power". Much research has revealed that USB specs max the power at 500mA -- and this requires more. Therefore, it shouldn't work EVER. (if it does, it's because your computer supplies more than it's supposed to.) It would be great if it did.Digital camera Review: Don't buy this product!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this from Sam's Club a little over a month ago. It worked fine and I was loving the convenience and portability of the drive. Now it doesn't work. During the times I had it I stored it in a small padded case and never dropped it once. It was formatted for a Mac and I used MacDrive to access it on my PC. Like I said before it worked great for about 6 weeks and now I cannot access it. When it is connected to my Mac it doesn't mount at all. When I connect it to my PC I get a USB Device malfunction error message. The drive is operating and there are no blinking lights to tell me there's a problem. I contacted support at Western Digital and they are sending me a USB power booster cable to see if that fixes the problem. I suspect that there may be more to this but I will follow-up when I try the cable. Normally I don't buy Western Digital stuff because of this exact reason. I guess I should have followed my gut and passed this by. Now if this cable doesn't work I'll have lost all of my data. My warning is never buy Western Digital or you may experience what I have! Go to Western Digital's website and check out their forum if you don't believe me.Digital camera Review: Dr Howard
Summary: 5 Stars
The good: great back up device.(once it is correclty configured.) Easy to program timing of backup. looks good. Small desk-top space. The bad: It needs configuratiion before it will store. I needed consultation. Fortunately, I knew an IT person who could do it for me. Very short USB cable.