Help with WD External HD drivers

[imported_dvdman]

Ok, I just got a new WD My Passport 500GB drive & hopped onto the net to download the newer drivers & stuff.

Windows set up the hardware as per normal & then I went into the WD site & found this page:

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=218&lang=en

I then followed the "WD SES Driver" link which led me to this page:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/search/1/a_id/5419

FYI I am running WinXp 32-bit.

Now, little confused by all this...... I assume I need to download the "WD SES Driver (32-bit)" driver but what about the "WD SmartWare Disk Image for Windows"? I downloaded the first one & started download the latter one but it is like 465MB!! What is it exactly that it is 465MB!?

Then I found this one:

http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/wdsmartwareupdate/wdsmartware.asp?id=wdfMyPassport&os=win

Do I just need this update or the 465MB one?

Thanks!

 

[Anteaus]

Did you wipe the drive right after purchase? The driver should have been included on the drive.

 

[imported_dvdman]

Haha yeah I figured that out after a little while; but was wondering if I needed any of that other stuff anyway!? I did download the update to the "SmartWare"; but not the 465MB one.

 

[x26]

They say the WD backup software is crappy.

I just bought a wd drive--and read this.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R31CQOY...wasThisHelpful

 

[Anteaus]

You don't need to install anything extra. Just use the update driver tab in the control panel and direct it and the driver directory and it should install the appropriate driver.

 

[imported_dvdman]

They say the WD backup software is crappy.

I just bought a wd drive--and read this.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R31CQOY...wasThisHelpful

That link didn't seem to say anything about the backup software!?

You don't need to install anything extra. Just use the update driver tab in the control panel and direct it and the driver directory and it should install the appropriate driver.

Thanks!

 

[corkyg]

The backup software and the drivers are two separate issues - don't mix them.