I bought my drive years ago. My Book Essential 3TB. At some point, I tried to reformat the drive. Failed. Gave up. Now I’m returning to try again. Current: WD SmartWare Version 1.3.7.1
Have or attempted to update all program versions.
Can’t get it to reformat or be able to backup my puter.
Formatting with my Mac Disk Utility
Partition failed with the error:
Unable to write to the last block of the device.
With Smartware’s Quick formatter:
WD external drive format failed.
VCDupdater - Formatting failed. Return value = Ox1.
program exited
What is the problem? Why can’t I get this drive to backup my MacBook Pro puter?
Just ordered a myCloud. Perhaps I’m making a mistake in doing so? Will I have the same problems with it not doing what it is expected to do?
I am sorry to read that you are unable to format the drive for your needs. Have you try to write zeros to the drive prior to formatting? You can do this from the Disk Utility “Erase Function”
Was able to re-partition into 2 drives. But couldn’t get a back up. Got a message the drive was full with only 1G backed up.
Was able to re-partition into 3 drives. Have repeatedly tried to erase each partition. Get error messages that “can’t unmount drive.”
I have tried everything I can think of. I again tried to update all tools for Mac. No help. I am at wits end. Beginning to think WD isn’t what I need or want. Perhaps I should return the cloud I just ordered when it arrives. I can’t take any more disappointments.
64yo gimp that isn’t tech savy enough for this. Can’t get the help I need to remedy the problem.
Very disappointed and frustrated. Can’t afford to keep wasting money on things that don’t work as intended.
Okay, welcome me back to the happy WD community. My new best friend Jon (Tech Support) took the time to help this old man out. He was very gentle with me.
Turns out my My Book was damaged. I’m guessing during my move to another state, it got damaged. Either way, the problem is solved happily and successfully.
We (Jon) diagnosed the bad drive. Then expertly helped my install and get started with my new MyCloud. What a great help and personable tech this man is/was. I hope management will be reading this and give him a pat on the back. They (he) retained a customer that was on the way out.
