I have a WD My Book Essential that has been backing up my data for several years. Along the way I bought a new computer. The WD firmware is no longer on my new computer. I tried downloading it and installing it from the My Book file but I get the error message: “Installation of WD Smartware not successful (error code 1603). Try again or contact WD for assistance.” Does anyone have any idea what error code 1603 might be or how I can reinstall the firmware?
Are you trying install the WD Smartware? WD Smartware is use mainly for backup your data, not to update the firmware on your device. WD Smartware is not compatible with Windows 10, if that is the new OS on your new computer.
I am using Windows 10. That solves one problem. I know the external drive is working – I did a complete short and long diagnostic test (the latter for 27 hours) and everything is in order. I was used to a graphic that showed a desktop and the external drive and how the data was distributed on each. It’s not there anymore. Also, if I should have a failure of the desktop, or purchase a different desktop, how would I back up my data on to the desktop without the smartware?
For Windows 10 you could use this
Backup and Restore in Windows - Microsoft Support.
