WD Elements SE 1TB Potable USB HDD WDBPCK0010BBK Cylinder Number Discrepancy

WD External and Portable SSD Portable SSD
1

I just bought a WD Elements 1TB portable USB drive and upon attempting to reformat it in Linux with FDISK, immediately noticed a discrepancy.

The disk ID description displayed on execution of the  FDISK command in Linux, shows the disk to have 121 600 cylinders, but when I print the existing partition table, it shows the partition starting at cylinder 1 (ok) but ending at  cylinder 121 601?

If I delete the partition and try to recreate it exactly as it was, FDISK won’t let me end it at 121 601, only at 121 600 as in the disk ID. Hence that last cylinder is protected from repartitioning.

I also have two internal SATA 1TB WD drives, both having 121 601 cylinders and their last partitions ending on cylinder 121 601, in other words no discrepancy.

There is an option in FDISK that would allow me to remap the drive to 121 601 cylinders, and then theoretically end my last partition on cylinder 121 601 as in the original partition.

Is there any danger in doing this ?

I am assuming that the drive does indeed have 121 601 cylinders (As do my SATA’S) and that WD partitioned it first, then reduced the cylinder number by 1 to 121 600 to protect that last cylinder from repartitioning, possibly for use by WD password protect or back-up software in the Passport HD’S.

Any thoughts ? Anyone ?

Thanks !!

2

I don’t believe Linux is listed as a supported drive. Look in the drive specs.

Joe

3

I am asking simply why there is a cylinder discrepancy and wether or not it is safe to correct it. If this drive is to be used under Windows/MAC (which are supported) the discrepancy still exists. Whether Linux is supported or not, has no relevancy to my question.

And BTW, this disk will be used under windows.

I will rephrase my question  simply and clearly…

The drive comes partitioned by WD to end on cylinder 121 601, therefore I am correct to assume that this drive does indeed have 121 601 cylinders ?

Thankyou.