I have 2 “My Passport” HDDs on same Dell Desktop running through USB 3 Card I added with no problems from any drives. Using MSFT drivers showing up as 1862GB Western Digital WD My Passport 0748 USB Device (USB (SATA)) for both Passports. Used for data, and primarily for storing video files running through Plex Media Server.
What are cons (if any) and pros of running without WD software, and do they ever spin down unless I have software from WD installed? I have not noted HDD light turning off. Have SSD for boot. What are best power settings for this combo with 128 GB SSD for boot and a WD 1 TB internal with the 2 USB 2 TB Passport HDDs ?
Are the WD Passports auto encrypting through hardware, and is there a way to turn off? Pros/Cons?.
Thanks in advance,
The Passport are plug and play devices, they are designed to work with or whitout the software.
If you are going to use the drives just to store information manually, you wont need the WD Apps.
The Passport will Spin Down when there’s no activity on the computer after a few minutes.
The protection is base on a hardware encryption.
If you need information on how to setup the WD Security, please see the link below.
http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10408/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MTg4MzAxOS9zaWQvakdPM1FxTWw%3D
Thanks for yur fast answer.
I have never seen them spin down. Although I have only had them (with lights facing forward) so I can see if on or off for a couple of days. What would be best to hve configured in power settings on Win 7? I realize this is asking for an opinion, but what would work well for having the physical HDDs (including external USB Drives) spin down considering I hace a SSD for boot. I have read that SSDs are not affected by Power Down settings. (without ACHI Link Power management ?)
Is he hardware encryption on by default? if so, is there a way to turn it off? I ask this because I have read threads and info on using these drives after the hardware interface from USB to the HDD has failed. From what I have gleaned in casual reading, the HDD can be salvaged and used. However, if any encryption on data, then data can not be recovered easily or at all and the HDD is usually just reformatted. I have had twol external HDDs (for increasing data recorded by DVR) which have failed, and it has been the hardware interface to the HDD itself rather than the HDD that has failed. I have reused one in computer, but as the data for DVR was in a variation of UNIX, I just reformatted and used for PC drive .
Thanks in advance,
