(Old Model) WD My Passport Ultra 1 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Auto Backup, Black

I received the WD My Passport Ultra 2TB external HD this evening. I connected it to my 3-month old Dell XPS 850 / Windows 8.1 computer, which immediately recognized the device and displayed a directory for all the files on the HD. Unfortunately, the directory began to flash on and off at random intervals. Undeterred, I installed the WD software provided on the drive, and I waited patiently after being told that more up-to-date software was available on line, and waited longer as replacement software was installed. It was only with great difficulty that I managed to register the new product with WD, because the constant disconnecting and connecting of the drive made it difficult for the registration program to accept my typed name, address, email, etc. I then followed the instructions provided after the installation and product registration was complete and re-booted my PC. Alas, installation of the newest WD software and rebooting made no absolutely no difference. The WD HD continued to connect and disconnect rapidly but randomly, preventing me from backing up any data onto my new WD external HD. I searched WD support pages to find a diagnosis for this problem (which has been reported by at least 7 other WD My Passport Ultra 2TB external HD users. I implemented a couple of the proposed fixes, but none worked. After 45 minutes of experimentation, I gave up, physically disconnected the failing WD external HD and replaced it with my older (but full) WD external HD, which worked flawlessly. I removed the newly installed software, re-installed and then updated the software provided with my older WD external HD, and requested that Amazon accept my return of a defective HD, a request that was promptly granted by Amazon. It is conceivable that the apparently defective device works, but is somehow incompatible with my new Dell PC or the Windows 8.1 OS or some obscure default setting in my PC or Windows 8.1 OS. But I am not an engineer; WD does not provide anywhere on its website a straightforward explanation or fix for the problem, and I do not feel it is the responsibility of the user community to engineer a fix for this or any other problem in connecting an external HD to a standard, plain vanilla PC. I hope I can find another 2TB external HD that will serve as effectively as my older 1TB WD external HD as my main backup device. (By the way, the WD-supplied backup software, even on the older, perfectly functioning WD HD was crap. I used the Windows Vista OS backup software for backup on my old PC, and it was much more intuitive, straightforward, and dependable.) UPDATE: 12-23-2013 - After returning this item, I went to a specialized store and obtained recommendations for an external HD. After discussing the alternatives with a knowledgeable expert, I purchased (at his recommendation) the very same WD My Passport HD model that earlier failed. His comment was: All hard drives will fail someday, and a small percentage will fail immediately. Yours happened to fail immediately. He thought the WD Ultra HD offered the best combination of speed and simplicity; he uses it for his own personal laptop PC. I brought the new HD home, hooked it up speedily and without incident, and it has worked fine for a week. In fact, I restored a defective file onto my home PC with very little effort. Well see how long it lasts. So far so good. UPDATE: 04-03-2015 - The replacement WD external HD still functions well and without serious errors. One small problem is that my PC occasionally loses the external HD. That is, even though the HD remains connected to the PC, the PC no longer recognizes that it is connected. The problem is easily dealt with, however. I physically unplug the connection and then plug the external HD in again, and the device functions without incident.

I have four of these which I use for backups. They are very convenient since they are small and they run off of USB power. I do not use them as portable storage so I cannot speak to how they respond to rough handling. My oldest Passport, a 128 Gig FAT system, recently stopped working so I bought this one to replace it. The old drive is probably 10 years old, and disks wear out, so no fault to WD for the failed drive. That is why we keep backups of backups. The disk has a USB 3 interface and a standard USB 3 cable. My computer has only a USB 2 interface, and this drive works fine with it, albeit at the slower USB 2 data rate. The file system on the drive is NTFS. My computer is running Mageia 3 Linux, and the drive worked fine with it right out of the box. There was nothing extra to install (e.g. drivers). Since I run Linux, the auto-installs and auto-backup software and all that other software does not run. That is fine with me since I did not want to use it anyway. I wrote my own backup software, and I like it better than the commercial stuff. Since I do not use this drive on a Windows platform, I cannot speak to the quality of the software contained on the disk.

The model I am reviewing is the 1TB Black Ultra. Your experience may differ from mine. This is a review from someone using: Mid-2012 MacBook Pro OS X 10.9.3 Mavericks The Good * Sleek Design * USB 3.0 * $69 at the time of this review is a good price for 1TB * Windows users have auto-backup option * Once you format correctly on Mac this drive is a breeze to use * Very small footprint (small form-factor) * Plays nicely with time machine (Mac Users) * Comes with nice carrying bag * Allows you to lock down drive with password * Comes with utilities services bundled in The Bad * The bundled in software that I could use was slow and not very well designed * The prices of this drive fluctuate all the time (I paid $89 for this drive) * Initial set-up for Mac can be difficult for a novice consumer The Ugly * Support for WD has a bad reputation of being nonexistent Recommendation: I would recommend this drive to anyone who has used WD drives before. I have no problem using this drive but I can’t say the same for others. Also if you are on Mac research how to format the right way if you have never done it before.

Ive had this for a few weeks now. I have to admit, I turned on the backup functions, etc., but havnt been monitoring how/when it does everything, or even gone to look at what is backed up since I set it up. With that out of the way: its been great. USB 3.0 connection is a very worthwhile upgrade. When you want to move files of the size that may be on a 2TB hard drive, the time difference really adds up. Many times faster. Ive had mine connected and lit up since I got it. No overheating or performance issues. So, as far as I can say at this date, there will be no issue plugging it in and using it for your daily activities. I keep movies, music, etc on the drive. I play them from there with no issue. Etc. Which, while that should be expected, there are enough bad products that you cant be sure until someone says so. Beyond that, I cant tell you if its a good purchase. Depends on the price and whats on th market. A year from now maybe a a 2 TB SSD drive costs the same as this does today.

Im used to external HDDs that are about the size of spiral notebook, and about an inch thick. Or the size of two bricks placed side by side. Thats what I was expecting when I ordered this. I didnt mind because I wanted a drive that had a good capacity and that was USB 3.0 so I could try out the new 3.0 jack on my new laptop. Ive never owned a USB 3.0 device before this one. Needless to say I was blown away. I was expecting it to be delivered in a box the size of a small microwave oven (Amazon tends to pack things that way). I was actually a bit pissed off when I saw that the package was a MANILA ENVELOPE! However, when I opened it and saw how frickin tiny the drive is, I changed my mind. This thing is small enough to fit into my back jeans pocket. Heck, this thing is SMALLER THAN MY CELL PHONE!! Of course, I own a Galaxy Note II, but hey, its still a sight to behold. Ive done only a little bit of performance testing so far, but its about twice as fast in the USB 3.0 port as it was in the USB 2.0 port (40 MB/sec vs 22 MB/sec). I used CDM 3 to benchmark it; and below are the results: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CrystalDiskMark 3.0.3 x64 (C) 2007-2013 hiyohiyo Crystal Dew World : http://crystalmark.info/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * MB/s = 1,000,000 byte/s [SATA/300 = 300,000,000 byte/s] Sequential Read : 112.099 MB/s Sequential Write : 110.528 MB/s Random Read 512KB : 41.950 MB/s Random Write 512KB : 57.537 MB/s Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 0.535 MB/s [ 130.5 IOPS] Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 1.453 MB/s [ 354.7 IOPS] Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 0.598 MB/s [ 146.0 IOPS] Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 1.486 MB/s [ 362.8 IOPS] Test : 1000 MB [G: 0.0% (0.4/931.5 GB)] (x5) Date : 2014/02/28 21:18:42 OS : Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 [6.1 Build 7601] (x64) Greater than 110 MB/second sequential data transfer. WOW! Im quite pleased with this...I even splurged and got the blue version. Quite happy with this thing.

I ordered 2 WD Passport Ultra 1TB Portable external USB 3.0 Hard Drives with Auto Backup. The first drive worked properly on a new Dell 15-3521 Laptop running Windows 7 Professional, but when I tried to use the second WD Passport external drive on another Dell-3521 Laptop running Windows 7 Professional it would not install if the USB 3.0 cable was plugged into any USB 3.0 port on the Dell Laptop. After swapping drives and computers and cables around, it became apparent that the USB 3.0 cable that came with the second WD Passport Ultra HD is defective. The drive will install and be recognized on either computer only if it is plugged into a USB 2.0 port which defeats the purpose of having a high speed USB drive if it cant work at USB 3.0 speeds. Either drive will work with either laptop at USB 3.0 speeds on USB 3.0 ports if the non-defective USB 3.0 cable is used! All I really need is a replacement cable that works, but since Amazon.com LLC filled the order, I have not figured out how to request a simple replacement for the defective cable without having to return the entire order. I could use some assistant! Or, I can order another USB 3.0 cable which should solve the problem! I hope I hear from someone at Amazon about this!

I have been a loyal Western Digital user for years. Every hard drive I have ever bought has been WD. This drive had many negative comments describing drive failure and poor customer service. I wrote it off as other people doing things wrong. After 6 weeks of use (only about 6-18 hours a day), the drive suddenly failed. One afternoon it began making the clicking noise hard drives make when they fail. I immediately disconnected it, and let it cool to room temperature, even though it was only around 100*F when it died. When I plugged it back in later, it started up and allowed the Unlock program (which is hosted on the drive itself) to run and accept my password. It will then display a newly attached drive connected to my computer, but no information will ever load about it (capacity, free space, etc.) even if I leave it for two hours to sort itself out. The WD drive utilities program only gives an unspecified drive failure error code. Put simply, my drive failed with no warning. Shortly after the drive failed, I contacted WD via their websites forms. The next day I received an email outlining my two options, both of which were for a same-item replacement. I had had a long, rough day at work and didnt feel like explaining why I didnt want a replacement, so I saved it for the next day. The next day (19 hours later), I received an email stating that since they were unable to contact me via email that I was going to receive a phone call from them. I replied and said I did not want a call, and that if I wanted to talk on the phone I wouldnt have used the website, and said I would contact him later. I quickly got another email telling me my case had been suspended until I was ready to deal with it. Highly irritating. When I emailed and explained why I didnt want to trust my data to a device that had already failed on me once and countless times to other users, I was told there was nothing else they could do for me. Do not buy this drive. The best portable drive according to several reputable consumer electronics reviewers is the Seagate Backup Plus, which is only $10 more than this one. I am ordering one on payday. I suggest you look at one of those instead. Do not buy Western Digital. I never will again.

I needed something quick because my external hard drive was malfunctioning. I checked out Amazon for drives and found this highly rated one. I love my computer and the convenience it affords me, however Im not what you would call computer literate not, by any stretch of the imagination! What I love about this product is, though Im not well versed, their support team is. Initially, I could not understand how to make it function! I contacted support and they were very helpful! The rep I got, Yoryi (pronounced Georgie) was very helpful and above all patient. Because, Im not as adept as Id like to be when it comes to the jargon associated with computers, it took a little longer than I expected to get me caught up on its use.However, Yoryi, took his time with me, without making me feel as though it was an imposition to him, or that I was an idiot.He was personable, with a great sense of humor helping me to feel relaxed when I started to feel a bit frustrated! And best of all, I found out I had downloaded my info, I just didnt know how to get to it! I highly recommend this product, especially if you, as I am, are computer challenged!

My recently purchased Western Digital Passport Ultra 1 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Automatic Back Up is really very amazing. You know how products that are advertised will say theyre this or that, then when you get them home, turns out the product is not only not living up to its advertised standards, but the company doesnt support you when the product does not perform. And the product will put you threw so many configuration changes youll wish you could throw that product as far from you as you can. Well this Western Digital Passport Ultra 1TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Automatic Backup is really the Mercedes Benz of USB Back- Ups for my Lap-Top (and I love Mercedez Benz cars). The minute I plugged this product into my Lap-Top, it instantly backed my files up, no question, no configuration laborious instructions. It did it so fast, till I had to make sure that what was going on by simply checking just went on and configured on my digital USB backup. As some of you know, Ubuntu (Ubuntu problem child) will be making changes to their OS service on July 31, 2014, I was concerned about backing my files in preparation for Ubuntus changes (talk about Ubuntu changes- a real headache) – well! I can forget worrying now in my file back ups on my Lap-Top. I highly recommend Western Digital Passport Ultra 1 TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Automatic Back Up – no fuss, no muss, no hassles, just plug it in, and it does the configurations file backups spontaneously. Really great product by Western Digital.

WD My Passport Ultra 1TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive with Auto Backup - Black (Personal Computers) Received this 5-day free shipping even before the mailed notification - a first for me. This is all used on a very fast desk PC with the latest Win 7 and not a tablet or laptop. 1 Plugged in the cable and the HD started an autorun and tried to download a driver from MS and failed. There was no read me first in the package that said that in order to do this your PC needs to be set for automatic updates. I refuse to let any update suddenly grab a strangle hold on my PC with any update as I could be doing something more important. I also do not run either my car or PCs 24/7. 2. Next I dragged and dropped a bunch of empty folders and files and found no problems (not having installed any WD software). 3. Then I tested further ejecting media and physically removing media and then restarting - edited files and folders on the drive and found that it worked just like any other HD. (or a bunch of about a 10 USB drives I have had and used over the years. I left the WD software in place and was not bothered by more autostart software. 4. The next day M$ notified me of an update - which apparently was the missing WD driver. I took a chance and let it be installed - end of that. In the package there was the drive, the 18-inch cable a list of support phone numbers, a large carefully folded very Limited Warranty info in super small print and nothing else. Problems: There was NO Read Me First that explained that the 18 cable has a Micro USB Type B Connector for USB 3.0 that plugs into the drive end and the standard USB compatible 2.0 on the other end. I saw a 6 foot replacement on Amazon for $5.88 (Will get it with my next $35 Package). I had to use an old USB 2.0 hub and one of my old cables - happy to discover that it would provide the needed power. DEDUCT 1 STAR. There should be a notice in the package that informed the user - you have a choice of NOT using the software provided on the WD web site or that is provided on the drive. This means that it would function as any other HD and you would have to use any trusted software of your choice. ON THE OTHER HAND, You could read, study, understand and guess at WD software described in an 87-page PDF manual found on the drive only named UserManual.pdf period. (From the lousy reviews of the software - it must have been produced in a code-writing sweatshop in Deli) At the top of page 67 of said pdf it says: If you do not install the WD software, you should install the SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) driver on Windows computers to keep the hardware popup wizard from displaying every time you connect your My Passport drive to your computer.” I did no such thing and have had NO such problem. Perhaps the M$oft driver did some good - who knows or who cares. FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUCH NOTICE AND WASTING CUSTOMER TIME DEDUCT 2 STARS. I have installed 677GB of music, multimedia, documents and pictures with NO issues and expect none with the remaining free space of 254GB. Would I buy this again – with my two star rating? Absolutely, since I now know what to expect do. I depend completely on the Amazon reviews before considering buying just about anything. I look for less than 10% of one star ratings compared to number of five star ratings. The Amazon Most Popular label - also seems like an excellent guide. I then read most of the one and two star ratings first - to see what I would likely expect to encounter. Computers are just a tool and not an end in itself - in my book.