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User profile for user: johnnywills
johnnywills Author
User level: Level 1
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My WD Passport for mac won't recognise its own password or show up on the desktop

I have a Macbook Pro and have been using the Passport for 3 months without a problem. The cable was pulled out without ejecting the Passport the correct way. Now it doesn't show up on the desktop and a colourless window pops up and asks for the password. Im 100% sure the password is correct. The window thinks about it for about 20sec then shakes to not accept it.


I have tried to repair the Passport and that has not worked. Does anyone have another solutations to access the HD?


The passport still works, the light comes on and still spins.


It seems as if it has forgotten its own password and not recognised by the computer.

Posted on Jul 16, 2014 7:18 AM

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User profile for user: Allan Jones
Allan Jones
User level: Level 9
68,516 points

Posted on Jul 16, 2014 8:28 AM

Help me understand---the Passport has password protection separate from anything Mac OSX provides? Wasn't aware they were doing that.


However, if you installed the WD software that came with the drive, that could be part of the problem. WD's backup software is intrusive and, for me, slowed overall computer performance--including lockups--to the point I gave up on it. Time Machine without any third-party backup programs is the least intrusive backup scheme. There are also recent reports here of WD software not playing well with Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks.


If the WD software folder has an uninstaller, try running it. Also, the Passport does not have its own power supply and must get power to turn the platter motor and run the electronics from a USB port. Often, this is more power than a USB port on a notebook computer can provide, especially as the drive ages. You may bneed to get a powered USB hub (has its own power supply from teh wall) and place it between the Passport and the MBP. The self-powered hub will make up any shortfall of current in the USB port.

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User profile for user: Allan Jones
Allan Jones
User level: Level 9
68,516 points

Jul 16, 2014 8:28 AM in response to johnnywills

Help me understand---the Passport has password protection separate from anything Mac OSX provides? Wasn't aware they were doing that.


However, if you installed the WD software that came with the drive, that could be part of the problem. WD's backup software is intrusive and, for me, slowed overall computer performance--including lockups--to the point I gave up on it. Time Machine without any third-party backup programs is the least intrusive backup scheme. There are also recent reports here of WD software not playing well with Mac OS 10.9 Mavericks.


If the WD software folder has an uninstaller, try running it. Also, the Passport does not have its own power supply and must get power to turn the platter motor and run the electronics from a USB port. Often, this is more power than a USB port on a notebook computer can provide, especially as the drive ages. You may bneed to get a powered USB hub (has its own power supply from teh wall) and place it between the Passport and the MBP. The self-powered hub will make up any shortfall of current in the USB port.

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User profile for user: johnnywills
johnnywills Author
User level: Level 1
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Jul 17, 2014 2:06 AM in response to Allan Jones

Allan,


Thank you for your reply.


Yes the WD Passport for Mac has its own password to access the drive. It is an option that i stupidly activated once it was installed. Previously as i plugged the Passport in it would pop up on my desktop and ask for the password. Which it would accept and then i could access the data. Now nothing comes up on my desktop but still asks for the password but does not accept it. The colour of the window for the password has also changed. It now looks like the "security and privacy" icon that you can find in your systems preferences.


It seems as if it has forgotten its own password or there is some other security or problem blocking me.


I obviously wasn't aware that this product had so many problems. I have not installed the Mavericks program to this computer yet as it takes time and im on the road without and solid internet connections.


I will persist with searching forums and trying to recover the data


Any information or help would be awesome!!!!

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User profile for user: johnnywills
johnnywills Author
User level: Level 1
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Jul 17, 2014 2:13 AM in response to Csound1

C sound,


Thank you for your reply


Disk utility says the drive is damaged.


"Invalid node structure" and "invalid B tree node size"


"the volume could not be verified completely" "needs repair"


"repairing volume failed, disk object invalid or unable to serialize"


Then the password window pops up and asks for the password but does not accept it!


?????


Any further assistance would be greatly appreciated

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User profile for user: Csound1
Csound1
User level: Level 9
59,973 points

Jul 17, 2014 2:25 AM in response to johnnywills

The problem here is knowing whether DU is reporting the actual state of the disk or WD's software is in the way.


Have you completely removed the software (or do you have another Mac to plug this drive into)


And (have to ask) is there data on the drive that is not replaceable?


Don't update to Mavericks yet, let's fix this first.

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User profile for user: Csound1
Csound1
User level: Level 9
59,973 points

Jul 17, 2014 2:28 AM in response to johnnywills

johnnywills wrote:


Also,


Went into WD drive utilities and ran a SMART test which it passed, a quick Drive test which it passed and a complete drive test which it cancelled itself... So im guessing it failed. Cant seem to find an uninstaller...


Still hoping...

I'll put out a call for anyone with more experience with the WD software and its effects.


If you have to erase this drive how big a problem will that be for you?

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User profile for user: johnnywills
johnnywills Author
User level: Level 1
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Jul 17, 2014 2:32 AM in response to Csound1

I was in the process of sorting through and backing up all the data i wanted to keep...


The only thing i have really lost is a whole lot of photos which i was in the process of sorting out... I can erase all the data easily but then do i persist with using a HD im not confident in? I think i would rather not erase, hope to recover somehow and get a new more reliable HD

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User profile for user: Csound1
Csound1
User level: Level 9
59,973 points

Jul 17, 2014 2:38 AM in response to johnnywills

Once freed of the WD software and repartitioned and formatted I would expect that drive to function normally. It is your choice of course (and drives are cheap) . The critical thing is to remove the WD software once and for all, then the state of the drive may be assessed.


Check with WD as to how to remove it entirely, I'll ask for help around here as well (may take a while). If it can't be easily or completely removed then an erase and restore is indicated. And that requires a current and complete backup.

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User profile for user: Klaus1
Klaus1
User level: Level 9
52,749 points

Jul 17, 2014 4:38 AM in response to johnnywills

Not knowing what version of OS X you are running:


The following external hard drives should not be bootable on Intel-based Mac computers systems through FireWire (1394a/b):

  • All My Book (+SmartWare)
  • All My Passport (+SmartWare)



The external hard drive must contain a Mac OS Extended (HFS+) partition with GUID for Intel-based computers or Apple Partition Map on PowerPC-based computers. For directions on how to partition and format an external hard drive, please follow the directions below:

Ensure that the external hard drive is connected to the computer and powered on. Open the main drive (the drive that contains the operating system).


Open the Applications folder.


Open the Utilities folder.


Open the Disk Utility application.


The drives are displayed on the left side of the window. Click on the drive (the upper listing with the numerical capacity) that you wish to partition.


Once the drive is selected click on Partition tab.


Click on the Options button to select the partitioning scheme.


Click on GUID for Intel-based computers or Apple Partition Map for PowerPC-based ones and then click on the OK button.


You will see several options for setting up the drive. Once you have selected the number of partitions, the format type you want (Mac OS Extended), and a volume label, click the Apply button. Click the Partition button to confirm your selection and begin the partition operation.


  • Following the completion of this process, the drive will appear on the desktop. It is now ready for installing a bootable operating system on it.

Source:


http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1787


Using a WD drive with Time Machine running Lion:


http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1694/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvd GltZS8xMzE4NDM1NTg0L3NpZC91WDcxWW5Haw%3D%3D

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My WD Passport for mac won't recognise its own password or show up on the desktop

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