Can't get Smartware to work with WD 3.0 My Passport

WD External and Portable SSD Portable SSD
1

Hi,

I have a WDBKXH5000ABK-01 500 GB 3.0 drive and I am having issues getting the password proection to work. I had a password on it and wiped it by typing the password incorrectly 5 times. Afterwards I noticed that the software to password protect the drive was gone and I can not get it back.

Here are the steps I have taken:

  1. I have updated the firmware, ensuring that SP and .net are both up to date.

  2. I have installed Smartware to the system. The drive is recognized, but does not show in settings, making it impossible to password protect through this software.

  3. I have downloaded the VCD manager and it does not find the drive. Info found on the forums leads me to believe this is normal on non-password protected 3.0 my passports.

  4. I have uninstalled and reinstalled Smartware and Firmware updates at least twice each.

  5. I have downloaded the disc imaging software from these forums to attempt to find and restore the partition that came with the drive - unsuccessfully.

  6. I have downloaded the drive smartware software manually and moved it onto the drive. It does not recognize that it is being run from the drive.

Some additional information: I am running Smartware v1.6.4 and firmware 3.2.0.8.

After three hours of searching these forums and the rest of the internet for an answer, I’m still lost in the dark. Please help!

2

Restore the software with this steps

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5419/session/L2F2LzIvc25vLzEvdGltZS8xMzUxNTQyNzA1L3NpZC9DQ2hKRVk5bA%3D%3D

3

I have attempted these steps. However, when I try to run the software from the external drive, I get a pop-up; “Application not run from drive.”