INITIAL BACKUP FAILED due to system error - how to restart My Passport Essential backup?

WD External and Portable SSD External SSD for Windows
1

I installed a new My Passport Essential 500GB external drive electing to install the WD Smartware software. I’m running Windows XP, service pack 3.  During the initial categorizing scan which appeared to be near completion, the WD Smartware was aborted due to a Windows system error. (unfortunately I failed to record the exact message)  

Subsequently, using the Smartware Backup tab screen, I clicked on the “Backup” button but nothing happened.  I  then closed the Smartware and restarted it. The same non-response was elicited when clicking the Backup button. What can I do to obtain a backup and put the My Passport external drive into service? 

Specifically, does this involve reformatting the My Passport drive and re-installing the WD Smartware software?   If reformatting is required , would this erase the WD Smartware software that came on the My Passport external drive?  And would the Smartware software need to be uninstalled on the PC?  Also, I set a password for the drive - how does reformatting affect this issue, the “Locked” drive?

Has anyone else experienced and solved this issue?

2

Hello,

You don’t need to reformat the drive.

first make sure that your computer is completely up to date with all the windows updates and JAVA and the latest flash player available for Windows XP. Then try uninstalling the software and install that again to see if you don’t get any system errors.

3

Thanks.  I keep the OS up-to-date, but my PC is after all “ancient.”

 I’ll try this procedure and comment later regarding the results.