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Western Digital My Book Studio 2TB
#4
smeep2k4 
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 04:29 AM
I have one of these drives and I use it as the main drive for my Mac Mini. I boot from it via Firewire. I've never tried booting from it via USB, but I also have a MyBook Essential drive for backups that only has USB and seems to take over my boot process (annoying!), so I suspect this drive would boot from USB as well.
#6
TeaEarleGreyHot
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 05:46 AM
I've had these "is it on?" issues in the past as well, and as for the WD Smartware software, just wait until you try to remove it from your system--darn persistent! While it's nice that WD purports to be making a drive specifically for the Mac market, one wonders why they feel the burning desire to load it up with unnecessary nuisance-software, such as the "Smartware" that merely befuddles many users. Finally, resist the temptation to open the case and swap drives because (1) I've found WD MyBook drive cases to be chock-full of sharp edges and cages and spot-welded or glued parts that make it impossible without destroying the case in the process, and (2) we've had reports that WD is using a proprietary internal interface now that won't connect to other drives, and won't let you connect the internal mechanism to other enclosures.
#7
pxforti
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 06:05 AM
I just bought this drive and hooked it up to my new 13" macbook pro. First thing, the software on the drive does not work. When I double click it, nothing happens.
Since I use Time Machine for my backups, I don't really care if it works, so I tried to remove it. No can do. After searching I found out it's firmware and part of the drive. It's very annoying that it mounts the software icon even though it's worthless. I simply wanted a big drive that use for storage. I should be able to delete ALL data from the drive and use it as a big storage device. I DO NOT recommend this drive until WD provides a way to remove their buggy software.
Since I use Time Machine for my backups, I don't really care if it works, so I tried to remove it. No can do. After searching I found out it's firmware and part of the drive. It's very annoying that it mounts the software icon even though it's worthless. I simply wanted a big drive that use for storage. I should be able to delete ALL data from the drive and use it as a big storage device. I DO NOT recommend this drive until WD provides a way to remove their buggy software.
#8
Toon61
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 06:47 AM
In the past few years I used several of WD external harddrives, and I must say that I am very pleased with them. I have never had any hardware problem with them (besides the fact that the capacity is never enough :-)
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
#9
Toon61
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 06:50 AM
Toon61, on 06 August 2010 - 06:47 AM, said:
In the past few years I used several of WD external harddrives, and I must say that I am very pleased with them. I have never had any hardware problem with them (besides the fact that the capacity is never enough :-)
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
The last sentence is not entirely true, sorry; if you need firewire you need (most of the time) a Mac-ready harddrive.
#10
bastion
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 06:57 AM
Toon61, on 06 August 2010 - 06:50 AM, said:
Toon61, on 06 August 2010 - 06:47 AM, said:
In the past few years I used several of WD external harddrives, and I must say that I am very pleased with them. I have never had any hardware problem with them (besides the fact that the capacity is never enough :-)
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
The only thing that annoys me very much is the bundled software. I totally rely on my iMac, so I don't need third-party software for backing-up or whatever task.
To get rid of that software, is to reformat the entire drive. It takes some time, but after that, the annoying software is gone.
This also works with WD devices that are not specifically designed (marketed) for Mac users.
In fact, the whole idea of Mac-ready harddrives is bullocks i.m.h.o.
The last sentence is not entirely true, sorry; if you need firewire you need (most of the time) a Mac-ready harddrive.
And that sentence is entirely untrue. If you need FireWire you need FireWire; the syllable "Mac" does not need to be involved. Generally what "Mac-ready" means is that it comes out of the box formatted in some HFS variant instead of FAT and you *could* use the bundled software on a Mac even though it's not likely you ever will.
#11
bastion
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 06:59 AM
pxforti, on 06 August 2010 - 06:05 AM, said:
I just bought this drive and hooked it up to my new 13" macbook pro. First thing, the software on the drive does not work. When I double click it, nothing happens.
Since I use Time Machine for my backups, I don't really care if it works, so I tried to remove it. No can do. After searching I found out it's firmware and part of the drive. It's very annoying that it mounts the software icon even though it's worthless. I simply wanted a big drive that use for storage. I should be able to delete ALL data from the drive and use it as a big storage device. I DO NOT recommend this drive until WD provides a way to remove their buggy software.
Since I use Time Machine for my backups, I don't really care if it works, so I tried to remove it. No can do. After searching I found out it's firmware and part of the drive. It's very annoying that it mounts the software icon even though it's worthless. I simply wanted a big drive that use for storage. I should be able to delete ALL data from the drive and use it as a big storage device. I DO NOT recommend this drive until WD provides a way to remove their buggy software.
If it's firmware, it's not consuming any of the drive space you paid for. If it is using the drive space, you can get rid of it. While it's obnoxious that it throws a useless icon onto your desktop (assuming you show drives on your desktop) it's not the end of the world.
#12
wlunscher
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Posted 06 August 2010 - 11:21 AM
I have two of these. An interesting feature not touched on here is that they will work with Windows machines. By that I mean the Smartware software comes up and works just as in a Mac, and it mounts a RAM-disk CD image which I find as annoying as the rest of you (that is a feature that can be turned off inside Smartware). To actually use the disk it needs to be reformatted as NTFS. No big deal, but the Smartware stays making me too believe it is in ROM.
This drive is a little pricy compared to the WD Essentials series, but I think we're paying for the Firewire which I wanted. As noted, Firewire and USB cables are included, but so is a 400 (6-pin) to 800 (9-pin) adapter, which allowed me to easily daisy-chain to an older Firewire 400 WD MyBook.
This drive is a little pricy compared to the WD Essentials series, but I think we're paying for the Firewire which I wanted. As noted, Firewire and USB cables are included, but so is a 400 (6-pin) to 800 (9-pin) adapter, which allowed me to easily daisy-chain to an older Firewire 400 WD MyBook.
#13
NanoFrog
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Posted 07 August 2010 - 05:41 AM
WD drives are a problem. You have promoted (reviewed) WD devices a lot here, at the expense of much better drives. I have the 1 tb version as well as 2 500 mb versions. the firewire port is very unreliable, I can only get these drives to work in USB. The power button is just a joke, completely worthless. the TINY, cheap usb mini-port is easy to have the cable just fall out. After many years and many drives, I believe these WD drives are TERRIBLE, unreliable, cheaply made trash. On the other hand my OWC drives are indestructible and flawless in performance 8I don't work for them in any way).
#14
nicolasdnyc
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Posted 07 August 2010 - 01:39 PM
i've contacted WD about this. the software IS taking up space on the hard drive and you are prohibited from reclaiming that space by their permanent FIRMWARE.
i don't want their LAME backup crapware!
yes you can turn off the disk automatically mounting and appearing, but doing this does not remove the software or give you back the disk space you paid for.
if macworld had any sense at all, it would note this and include it as a CON in their review. FOUR mice? hardly. i'd rather buy a bare drive and a case.
i don't want their LAME backup crapware!
yes you can turn off the disk automatically mounting and appearing, but doing this does not remove the software or give you back the disk space you paid for.
if macworld had any sense at all, it would note this and include it as a CON in their review. FOUR mice? hardly. i'd rather buy a bare drive and a case.
