Also, BE SURE THAT EACH OF YOUR COMPUTERS has a unique computer name or the backup file locations will conflict between computers and likely end up with inconsistent results or backups that fail completely.Īfter installing the software, you may be offered a free upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro.
If you want to backup more than 1 computer, keep in mind that you can use this software on up to 4 computers. That way you always have a real-time backup and, if you need to restore, you can always go back to the other drive to gain access to yesterday's version. Connect one drive one day and the other drive the next day. So what's the solution? Have two of these drives. On the other hand, if you worked on a file for several hours but only sync up your drive periodically and something happens to your computers drive or the file itself, you won't have a backup to restore from. Just remember, if you use it in real-time and you delete or change a file by accident, you won't be able to restore it from your backed-up version because it will be instantaneously updated. WD SmartWare can backup your computer on a schedule or ongoing in real-time. If you don't do this, you may lose data on the hard drive and it may get damaged.
There is also a manual available for the the Acronis True Image application. It allows you to backup your whole computer and restore it, even if restoring it is to a new hard drive.
If you lose the password, even WD won't be able to help you regain access to the drive.Once the drive is unlocked, it will appear under Hard Drive Devices. Open this drive by double clicking on it and then double click "WD Drive Unlock". This is a partition on the My Book drive that contains the software that will allow you to unlock the drive. If you aren't, open My Computer and look for a CD drive called "WD Unlocker".
If you set the security password on the drive, you will be prompted for it if you connect the drive to a different computer.The user manual is on the My Book drive in \User Manuals\ENG\UserManual.pdf.Just follow the prompts to install the software.Ībout the My Book drive (Things they don't tell you up front).This will start the installation process for the backup software. If you don't see the "WD Apps Setup", look for a folder called "WD Apps for Windows", if you are using Windows or "WD Apps for Mac" if you are using OS X to find the application installer for your operating system. Double click on it and then on "WD Apps Setup".Look for the new hard drive in My Computer.After a few seconds (up to a few minutes), the drive will appear in your "My Computer". If you have a USB 3.0 port (usually blue) on your computer, use that as it will make a huge differences in the speed at which your computer gets backed up. Plug the USB cable between the computer and the drive.Don't worry if it doesn't turn on right away. Plug in the power supply to the wall/powerbar and to the drive.The instructions are for Windows users and may be different if you are using a Mac/OS X or using a newer/different version of the software. This article will provide you with additional information will hopefully answer some of your questions regarding the My Book drive.
There isn't a lot of documentation that comes in the box with the WD My Book drive.