I’ve just noticed tonight that a lot of similar complaints come up in Google searches. This has me worried as to the quality of the My Passport product. I’ve not had issues with desktop WD drives in the past, so was hoping for the drive to last longer than 6 months.
My Passport sat on the desk the whole time, then suddenly isn’t detected in Windows 7 disk management or device manager anymore on any computer. Drive still hums with light on when plugged in.
Assuming it’s not a cable issue, does it sound like I can recover my data? If so, how do I go about recovering the data? The drive I have is a WD20NMVW.
Thanks for any help. I am not going down the warranry road, I’d rather take the $179 hit, recover the data, and shop for a different product next time. 6 months is unforgivable for a portable drive that sat there on the desk, not doing much work in that 6 months either - just occasional backup.
First try a different cable that is not longer than the original. Then try a different port preferably one on the back of a desktop. Don’t connect through a hub that can be a problem. I had a USB DVD that just quit while plugged in just setting on the desk. I suspect poor soldering now that they have to use lead free solder.
How would data recovery software possibly work on a drive that Windows can’t detect in the first place?
Once again, the drive is no longer seen by Windows… no drive letter at all. I have tried it on 3 differernt computers. The drive light is on, and it’s spinning, but Windows can’t see it.
just sprayed compressed air on all surfaces and jiggled some more, finally it becomes recognisable again.
Edit: however today it is back to being unregonised in Windows. Must be a dodgy connection inside the drive, or the drive is dying or something.
I’ve learnt my lesson. I need a SATA safety net for peace of mind, and practicality, and will now opt for an external 2.5" enclosure with SATA to USB3 interface, and choose a quality drive to install into that enclosure.
