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Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
Updating firmware on a My Book or My Passport
Answer ID 5460
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Last Updated 06/09/2011
This answer explains how to update the firmware on a My Book or My
Passport drive (except for the My Book Studio, My Book Studio LX, and My
Passport Studio drives). .*END
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Note:
Please make sure to stop any active backups in WD SmartWare prior to
running the updater. In addition, you will need to run the installer
from your local hard drive and not from the external drive you are
updating. If a backup is running, or if the updater is run directly from
the external drive, you will receive an error.
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Critical:
The following precautions must be performed before installing the
firmware update. Failure to perform these precautions may cause data
corruption/loss and/or drive failure:
- All AntiVirus software MUST be disabled
- All Anti-Spyware software MUST be disabled
- ANY and ALL programs that would require drive access during the update MUST be disabled and/or closed
- Do not disconnect, or cut power to the drive durring the update process for any reason durring the firmware update process
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Please select the type of installation you would like to perform:
Please select your operating system by clicking one of the icons below.
 
Please follow the steps below for instructions on how to update the firmware of a My Book For Mac, My Book Elite, My Book Essential, My Passport Studio, My Passport For Mac, My Passport Essential SE, My Passport Essential or My Passport Elite drive on an Apple Mac using Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x):
Step 1 of 13: Turn on your Mac
Step 1 of 13: Turn on your Mac
Begin by turning on your Mac with only a single My Book or My Passport
For Mac, Essential, or Elite (+WD SmartWare) drive connected. Ensure
that the version of Mac OSX you are using is compatible with the
Universal Firmware Updater (Leopard, Snow Leopard). If your computer is
already running, you can skip this step.
Step 2 of 13: Download the Universal Firmware Updater
Step 2 of 13: Download the Universal Firmware Updater
If you have not downloaded the Universal Firmware Updater, download it. If you have already done so, you can skip this step.
Step 3 of 13: Launch Updater
Step 3 of 13: Launch Updater
Launch the update by double clicking (use the left mouse button if you are using a two button mouse) the downloaded file.
Step 4 of 13: Click OK
Step 4 of 13: Click OK
After reading the message, click on the OK button in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 5 of 13: Enter Mac Login
Step 5 of 13: Enter Mac Login
You will be prompted for your Computers login information. This
is the same information you use to log into your computer. Enter the
username and password (if you have one) and click OK to continue.
Step 6 of 13: Highlight Drive
Step 6 of 13: Highlight Drive
Click on the name of your drive to highlight it. Once the drive is highlighted continue to the next step in these instructions.
Step 7 of 13: Click Update Firmware
Step 7 of 13: Click Update Firmware
Click the Update Firmware button.
Step 8 of 13: Disconnect All Other USB Drives and Click OK
Step 8 of 13: Disconnect All Other USB Drives and Click OK
Read the message, and disconnect all other USB drives per it's instructions. Once this is done press the OK button.
Step 9 of 13: Read EULA
Step 9 of 13: Read EULA
Read the End User License Agreement and click Accept to accept the agreement and continue to the next screen.
Step 10 of 13: Review
Step 10 of 13: Review
Once you have accepted the EULA you will be prompted with a Review
screen. Verify all the information (Especially the serial number if you
have multiple WD external hard drives) to ensure it is correct and than
hit Yes to continue.
Step 11 of 13: Wait
Step 11 of 13: Wait
A progress bar will fill at the bottom of the window. During this period
be absolutely sure not to disrupt power to the drive as this can damage
the device.
Step 12 of 13: Click Exit
Step 12 of 13: Click Exit
Once the progress bar has filled the screen will automaticly change to indicate the process is complete. Click the Exit button to exit the program, and than continue to the next step in these instructions.
Step 13 of 13: Reboot Computer and Power Cycle Drive
Step 13 of 13: Reboot Computer and Power Cycle Drive
Now that the update is complete you will need to Power Cycle
your drive. To do this, disconnect the USB cable from the drive. If
your drive is a My Book (any model) unplug your device from the wall as
well. Once this is done reboot your computer, and reconnect your drive.
Your firmware has now been updated and you are ready to use your drive.
Steps: Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 | Step 11 | Step 12 | Step 13 | Show All
What to Do If...
- Power is lost during the firmware update process?
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If power is lost during the firmware update process it is possible
that your drive has been damaged and may need to be replaced. If your
drive is not recognized, you may wish to Contact Us for additional support or create an RMA by following the instructions in Answer ID 8: How can I replace a product under warranty?
- The updater does not find an attached drive?
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The most common cause of the updater not finding a drive is that the
computer is unable to recognize it. Make sure that your cables are
secure (on the Passport Studio (+WD SmartWare) make sure the USB cable
is securely connected. On the My Book Studio (+WD SmartWare) make sure
both the USB and power cables are securly attached.) You may also wish
to try disconnecting all other USB devices besides the drive you wish to
update, your keyboard, and your mouse. In addition if you have a
different model drive (for example a My Book For Mac) the Universal
Firmware Updater will not see any drive connected. If the drive still is
not recognized please Contact Us for additional support on your drive.
- An error message occurs when trying to update the drive?
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If you get an error message when trying to update your firmware try
searching the Knowledge base for the specific error. If no match is
found Contact Us for assistance diagnosing the problem.
Important Note: The instructions below do not apply to the My Book Studio (WDBAAJ00xxHSL), My Book Studio LX, or My Passport Studio drives. For assistance updating these model drives, please see Answer ID 5453: How to update the firmware of a My Book Studio or My Passport Studio (+WD SmartWare) drive.
Please follow the steps below for instructions on how to update the firmware of a My Book For Mac, My Book Elite, My Book Essential, My Passport For Mac, My Passport Essential SE, My Passport Essential or My Passport Elite drive on a Windows PC (7, Vista, or XP):
Step 1 of 10: Turn on your Windows PC
Step 1 of 10: Turn on your Windows PC
Begin by turning on your PC with only a single My Book or My Passport
drive connected. Ensure that the version of Windows you are using is
compatible with the Universal Firmware Updater (Windows 7, Windows
Vista, or Windows XP). If your computer is already running, you can skip
this step.
Step 2 of 10: Download the Universal Firmware Updater
Step 2 of 10: Download the Universal Firmware Updater
If you have not downloaded the Universal Firmware Updater, download it. If you have already downloaded the updater you can skip this step.
Step 3 of 10: Unzip Update
Step 3 of 10: Unzip update
Unzip the Universal Firmware Updater file making sure to keep all the
files in the same directory structure they use inside the .ZIP File.
Step 4 of 10: Launch Universal Firmware Updater
Step 4 of 10: Launch Universal Firmware Updater
Once you have finished unzipping the update navigate to the .exe file
you extracted. Double click on the WDFirmwareUpdater file. Be sure not to run the WD Quick Formatter application as this is designed to completly erase your drive.
Step 5 of 10: Continue To Update
Step 5 of 10: Continue To Update
When the updater launches, read the message and click Continue To Update
Step 6 of 10: Read EULA
Step 6 of 10: Read EULA
Read the End User License Agreement and click Accept to accept the agreement and continue to the next screen.
Step 7 of 10: Select Your Drive
Step 7 of 10: Select Your Drive
The Universal Firmware Updater utility will scan your computer for a compatible drive. Once found select the drive and select Continue to Update to continue.
Step 8 of 10: Scanning
Step 8 of 10: Scanning
The updater will now scan your computer for your drive. When it finds your drive the button in the lower right ( Continue to Update) will change to say Update Firmware. When this change occurs continue to the next step in these instructions.
Step 10 of 10: Exit
Step 10 of 10: Exit
Your drive should now have the latest firmware installed. Click Exit and than Power Cycle
your drive. To Power Cycle the drive on a My Book drive disconnect the
USB cable and unplug the drive. Once done, reconnect the power and the
data cable. On a My Passport drive you simply need to disconnect and
reconnect your drive.
Steps: Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 | Show All
What to Do If...
- Power is lost during the firmware update process?
If power is lost during the firmware update process it is possible
that your drive has been damaged and may need to be replaced. If your
drive is not recognized, you may wish to Contact Us for additional support or create an RMA by following the instructions in Answer ID 8: How can I replace a product under warranty?
- The firmware file will not extract from the zip file?
If you are unable to extract the .exe file from the zip file try
another unzipping program. Zip files are standardized so most any
unzipping application (such as WinZip or WinRar)
will be able to unzip the file. You may also want to try deleting the
file and downloading it again in case the file has become corrupted.
- The updater does not find an attached drive?
The most common cause of the updater not finding a drive is that the
computer is unable to recognize it. Make sure that your cables are
secure (on a My Passport make sure the USB cable is securely connected.
On the My Book drive make sure both the USB and power cables are
securly attached.) You may also wish to try disconnecting all other USB
devices besides the drive you wish to update, your keyboard, and your
mouse. In addition if you have a different model drive (for example a My Book Essential Edition 2.0) the Universal Firmware Updater will not see any drive connected. If the drive still is not recognized please Contact Us for additional support on your drive.
- An error message occurs when trying to update the drive?
If you get an error message when trying to update your firmware try
searching the Knowledge base for the specific error. If no match is
found Contact Us for assistance diagnosing the problem.
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