SmartWare and hard drive not found after updating firmware and software.
I know how frustrating this can be. It took me a while to figure it out and I’m sure there’s a post somewhere buried deep within but after digging through the forum and not finding anything I felt obligated to create one myself to help fellow WD users.
I have Windows XP Pro. My PC could not find the hard drive and WD SmartWare after the updates. Even after restarting the computer. I thought I had lost ALL my files in my external hard drive.
Solution, unplug the WD My Book Essential power cord while Windows is running. Wait a few seconds and plug it back in. Presto! Within a couple of seconds Windows found everything!
Back to normal
Hopes this helps.
Note I used the SmartWare to backup files in an old laptop. Now I used it as an external hard drive to store files (not as backup any more).