connecting My Book Live directly to PC
hi all,
i made the very stupid mistake of buying this product thinking it was a portable external storage drive that would connect to my computer. I havent used it before and only took it out this weekend to setup ( so its out of warrently to return for something else)
Is there anyway I can connect this just to my computer and use it as an extra 2tb storage for my media? So I can move all media currently on my PC direct onto this storage? I cannot connect it to the router which is setup elsewhere in my house with no more free plug sockets or ethernet cables.
i currently am connected wireless to my internet from my PC, any help and a step by step on what to do , would be most helpful, if not I shall have to sell this on 
cutekitten78 wrote:
I cannot connect it to the router which is setup elsewhere in my house with no more free plug sockets or ethernet cables.
Buy a Gigabit ethernet switch. Connect that to your router to “expand” the number of available ports.
hi
i dont want to connect to the ethernet I want to be connected to my PC only. I assume what I have cannot do that? and I need to get a WD portable 2tb storage drive. I was hoping I could somehow use what I already have to achieve the same thing. I dont want any connection to the internet, direct to PC? and not have to spend anymore money
thanks
This device is a NAS (Network Attached Storage). It does not connect via USB to your PC. There is only one way to use it - by connecting it to your router.
By the way, it’s a far better drive than a USB model. It as much more functionality. LIke being able to access your files at home while you are away.
If you really need a USB drive, by a WD Passport.
if your PC has an ethernet port, you can connect directly to the NAS with a regular ethernet cable.
I recall the the manual covers this.
it does have ethernet but when I connect my PC, nothing happens and I cannot find anything relating to NAS? Can you possibly raft me a quick step by step at all?
Would be MOST appreciated 
Okay, this will require you to play around with your PC’s network setup. Google will be your friend on this.
If this is too complicated, you should go with one of the other suggestions.
Disclaimer : I haven’t tested this actual configuration, but it should work.
You’ll have to do this in several steps :
- get the user manual
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/?id=230&type=25
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Connect the MBL (mybooklive) to your router and do the normal setup.
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Verify that you can access the MBL web admin page.
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Record your PC’s current IP address. For illustration of this procedure, lets say it is 192.168.1.10.
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On your PC, disable your wireless adapter, and configure your ethernet card for the IP you just recorded. Set this up as a static IP.
6 Follow the procedure In the english manual, P.126, “My router has failed, how do I map the drive letter”
At this point, you have a choice to make. You can now access your MBL, OR your network, by enabling the correct connection. I very much doubt that you can run both at the same time, with this config. If you want to be able to to use both connections at the same time, you’ll have to complete the rest of these steps:
- Change the network config on your MBL to use a static address on a different network segment:
- use the webadmin page to setup a static IP address.
- Choose the static IP address by adding 1 to the third and fourth address parts from the current PC IP recorded above.
EG. 192.168.1.10 becomes 192.168.2.11
- On your PC configure your ethernet card to use a static IP on the new network segment you just set for your MBL
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verify that you can reach the MBL admin page by using the MBL name, or the IP 192.168.2.11
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re-map the drive by repeating step 6, above
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enable your wireless connection
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bridge the two networks / connections.
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verify that you can reach the MBL admin page, and that the share still works
Good Luck !
Hi,
I keep getting the below error??? as i have no idea what i am doing the below means nothing to me except its nt worked…i cannot create a static ethernet ip address…as there is no step by step telling me exactly what to do…as for the fact my IP is DHCP it is constantly changing and if I try make it static I lose my internet connection…this is getting way over my head…i think i just need to get rid of this thing and get the usb portable… i thought this was going to be easy to setup but it really isnt :(
cutekitten78 wrote:i thought this was going to be easy to setup but it really isnt :(
It’s quite a bit easier to set up when it’s used as designed.
You’re requiring it to work in a manner in which it wasn’t intended, so you’re definitely going to face challenges…
I don’t understand why you don’t want to put it on your home network , but that’s your choice…
Your device is exceptionally easy to use, when you use it as intended.
Hoewever, you have created a very particular problem:
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You do not want to use your device as designed - as a network drive.
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You do not want to sell / exchange your drive, and get the one that works as a USB drive, which willdo what you want.
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You do not want to purchase a network switch, which would solve your probelm completely and instantly, for $20 to $40
That leaves you with one last choice, which satisfies your first three objections, but requires effort and knowledge to complete.
This last choice is a very unique configuration, and you need to learn the skills required to solve the technical problems of setting up your device this way.
As I stated with the detailed instructions, if you don’t have the time to wrestle with the technical details, you should consider changing your mind on one of the first three options.
Any chance you or anyone can tell me how I access this drive from my two computers? I have bought this, it is connected OK (green light on) but I have no idea how to access it via WiFi.
First, MBL is short for MyBookLive. Open your file manager, scroll down to Network, it should be listed as Mybooklive. If you can access your other computers via WiFi you should have no problem accessing the MBL. There are also mobil apps you can use for access.
There’s a manual online that will help you get started here: http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705058.pdf
