Incorrect fimware update for Essential SE

WD External Drives WD Portable Drives
1

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased My Passport Essential SE USB3 1TB drive.

2 days ago I updated its original firmware (1.012)  to  incorrect firmware for Essential (1.014). :frowning: It showed no problem and got it updated.

Tonight I checked the WD site and noticed there’s a new firmware for my drive. :slight_smile:

I hoped it could correct my mistake. It detected my drive as Essential :frowning: , but I decided to give it a go and it successfully updated to 1.015. I restarted the drive and ran the universal updater again hoping that this time it detects it as Essential SE. But it detects it as Essential again. :frowning:

How can I upload the correct firmware for SE to this drive please?

Thanks in advance,

Roger

2

Here’s one way, but it involves a hardware hack:
http://forum.hddguru.com/disk-with-sata-usb-adapter-remove-virtual-rom-t18492-20.html

3

Thanks fzabkar,

there are many posts there by you and other posters , what’s the exact procedure in my case?

Should I fiddle with pcb and flash??

I updated the flash with incorrect firmware, can’t I just update it with a correct one without changing something in hardware?

thanks again

4

Unless I have a problem I don’t update the firmware on these unless it is a security issue. If it ain’t broke don’t fixit.

Joe

5

I don’t know of any procedure to defeat the model check, other than an invasive hardware method that will void your warranty.

One non-invasive way would involve hacking the update software. For example, if the updater looks for a particular model ID, then you could try using a hex editor to change that ID. BTW, are you still able to access your data?

Could you post the links to the updates that you applied?

6

If you’re really concerned about it, you could RMA the drive.

7

If RMA is an option, then the OP may like to try one potentially dangerous method.

Apply the next firmware update, but disconnect the USB cable while the update is in progress. This should result in corrupted firmware, which in turn should cause the drive to identify as an “Initio default controller”. In this state the drive has prepared itself to accept a firmware download in much the same way as a newly manufactured drive with a blank flash memory. Now run the update sofware a second time. You should now be able to specify the product type, ie Essential SE.

If this doesn’t work, you will have a brick, but at least you can RMA it. Note that no physical damage will have been done – in either case you will end up with a firmware problem

8

Hi again,

I applied this incorrect firmware EssentialEliterFirmwareUpdater_v1.014(1.0.8.5).zip to the drive.

It contained an exe file “Artemis-Carrera SW6316 Firmware Updater v1.014 (1.0.8.5).exe”

Several days ago, there were no drivers or firmwares available for Essential SE.

I thought my drive is SE. :frowning: (my bad) and applied above non-SE version to it.

Then I checked the site and there was a new firmware for SE too. (1.015 universal updater)

So I applied WDFirmwareUpdater.zip which is a universal updater.

Thanks for other suggestion :slight_smile: but I cannot send it to RMA due to my place.

I think the only and possibly the best solution for me will be software based solution.

Again thanks fo your concern and help :slight_smile:

Roger,