My Book Live (MBL) have been used to make Data Backups of my laptop.
Last week I had to reformat my laptop’s hard drive.
I re-install the Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium and the other required software/programs.
My hope was that I could retrieve/restore my Data (Files & folders) Backup from my WD My Book Live network storage to my laptop.
I used the original Software CD (dated Sept 2011) to install the WD again. The Software CD installed some programs that discovered the WD drive on the netwrok. It also installed WD SmartWare release 1.5.1.6 on my laptop. The firmware that is on the WD MBL drive is 02.43.03-022.
All good, hu?
NO.
This WD SmartWare release 1.5.1.6 on my laptop displays a message about my WD MBL:
No Writable WD Smartware partition found.
But my Backup exists on my WD MBL, I can see the date files via Win7 Explorer on my laptop.
Also, this WD SmartWare release 1.5.1.6 is wanting to update to release 2.3.0. (Reading this forum it seems like 2.3 does not even work, **bleep**).
My questions:
1) Why is WD SmartWare release 1.5.1.6 showing this message: “No Writable WD Smartware partition found”?
When I first bought and installed this, there was no message like this. It all just worked.
2) Should I upgrade to WD SmartWare release 2.3.0? Rememeber, I have no idea what the Release of WD Smartware I was on when the last backup was made (before I re-installed Win7). Also, will an update to WD SmartWare release 2.3.0 format by WD MBL and wipe my existing Backup?
3) How can I figure out what release for WD Smartware did MBL use when it did the last backup (before I reformatted my laptop)? And where can I find this version on the WD site?
I have to say this as well; WD take it anyway you like it.
The WD documenetation stinks. There is no instructions on how to retrive backups. Ironically, backup retrieval is the reason for the MBL existence, FFS.
Page 47 of
http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/UM/ENG/4779-705057.pdf
ASSUMES you have the correct release of the WD Software installed, and assumes that the Retreive TAB is available (in other words, no partition errors).
Users first have to install/reinstall the WD Software to retreive backups. The documentation just assumes you have WD Software already. FFS, it may as well just say retrive your backup and be doen with it.
No reference to: Install the WD Smartware from where, what release? How do you ensure it was the same release as the last backup? What should you do if you have this partition error. WIll this updated software release wipe my existing backup - condering WD notes like Note: If you are running WD SmartWare version 1.1.x or 1.2.x, you are required to set up and enable a new backup plan once the WD SmartWare 2.0 upgrade installation has completed. ? ← That note does not even make sense. How do you do this, what is teh concequesces if you do not do this?
My resort is not to manually copy my backup to an external drive. It will take some 23 hours to do. I have to do this because I can not trust this WD Smartware. It just does not work.
Can a WD Smartware software developer please clarrify this? I knwo it is only users eher, but surely WD developers reads this forum or are they completely disconnected from their customers - that would explain a lot actually.
Also, how do we ask the WD people to update their documentation so that users can actually use your manuals?
In fact, the whole reason people buy this WD MBL is to retreive backups when needed. For WD not to make any effort in explaining how to retrive it, or addressing the abvious issues with their software is a disgrace. This is like BMW not having any instructions how to start their car, hiding teh ignition.
It’s incredible how WD can actaully miss the central tenent of their own MBL’s existence - to retrive backups, not to stifle customers.