Comments on: Western Digital Passport (250GB) Review

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:16:50 +0000

i have had no problems with mine… computer tech is fast moving… if your computer cannot power your external hardrive then i think you need some new computers.. i have a 3yr old emachine and it has no problems powering the device… as for application, I have had no trouble adding or deleting files specificially from device. To those with problems, maybe YOUR not WD compatible. Ive been dealing with computer for along time, and most of the time I find its operator error! Stop blaming the products for lack of education and old tech.

By: Melisa

Melisa — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:54:52 +0000

So my sister she accidentally dropped it and now it doesn’t even open anymore and my whole life is in there from pictures to imported documents. I dont know what to do :( the lights turn, then it pauses itself then starts lighting up again.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:23:08 +0000

This is not the perfect gift. The software that comes with this hard drive is crap. It makes you put on all your “movie” files at once, or all your “other” files, and most people don't want to do that. When I have an external hard drive, I want to put on specific files, usually big ones. This software makes it very hard to do so, and you can't get rid of it from this hard drive. I would not recommend this hard drive as a gift, unless they take the software off of it, and just let you use your terabyte however you want.

By: ray krut

ray krut — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:45:46 +0000

I backed up my laptop as it was being sent in for repair. I used my back up successfully for a few days on a spare laptop then one day I go into the external hard drive to pull out a file and its disappeared. my backup had simply disappeared. what was left on the hard drive was a back up from 5 months prior. I suppose I should be grateful that I only lost 5 months of data and not all of it. I will never touch another WD product again. I only rate one star because this site won’t let me rate it zero. Seriously unhappy client

By: Shiadoo

Shiadoo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:56:12 +0000

Please DON' T BUY IT

I bought this one at Costco and the sellers told me that this will work with Mac and PC. I didn't know until later than you need a special cable for making it work with the Mac because of some USB port issues.

I called ( 1000 times ) WD and asked them for this cable, they told me every time that the cable was sent to me. NEVER!

I had really important files to save ...

WD has the most unstable support , I've ever seen.

DON'T BUY IT

By: atree

atree — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:03:44 +0000

My parents bought me this as a failsafe backup for all my personal photos and music media as my Toshiba laptop power port is failing for a second time and is approaching end of warranty.

Thanks for nothing WD. It worked first time and backed up, now functionality is completely screwed, despite an important software update. Have no access to my files whatsoever! Rubbish!

By: Thomas Crampton

Thomas Crampton — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:20:47 +0000

I bought several other WD products that I love, so only natural to get this as a backup solution for a friend. I even offered to install it. Four hours later, I still cannot make the software work properly. Do not buy this WD product unless you speak computer, as Frank apparently does. On the other hand, I totally recommend their MyBook.

By: Chaz

Chaz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:16:02 +0000

I recived this drive as a gift from someone that knows nothing about computers. The drive has performed brilliantly up to now, no driver power ect problems.

I use it mainly for music and its perfectly fast enough! I dint bother with the software j just did it the old fashioned way!

Fantastic would recomend!

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:50:33 +0000

Stylish, but slow, funky software, aggravating to use. I do not recommend.

By: daniel

daniel — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:54:32 +0000

Well, having used WD many a time before I bought this external hdd. Normally I wouldn't have used the software but because I have so many photos, music files and videos scattered all over the place, I used the software to backup all of the data. This seemed to work great, however when it came to restoring the data... tried on numerous pics... It all went wrong; I basically cannot restore any of the data. Irreplaceable photos, very rare music etc

I wish I had just migrated the data myself manually. The worst thing is even trying to open the files from the external HDD I can't open most of them. Fuming!! The fact that they made such a bad program that is so buggy and un-user friendly is surprising. Having worked at a hosting company, using backup solutions regularly, I have tried my hardest to get these files off this drive, but to no avail!

Tried to download update for the software... no suprise it didn't work. Why they ship this with software that doesn't actually work is beyond me. Nice looking case, sleek design cable a bit short but no point without proper functionality. Bad professional practice on WD's part!

By: Brittany

Brittany — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:57:48 +0000

I loved how portable my WD passport was, how easy it was to use, etc. Recently, however, it prevented me from accessing any of the files. I could still write files to the drive, but could not access them. I sent it to a data recovery center, and they indicated that one of the drives failed. Overall, not a bad product, but there are better options for backing up laptop data. I would use this to store non-critcal data or for travel (which is what I used it for). Get a more substantial external hard drive to back up your really important files…

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:04:21 +0000

I don’t understand how people are computer retarded. This product is not that bad of a product. I mean, the only reason it has so low of a rating is because angry, retarded, computer users don’t know how to use an absolutely simple USB drive. Screw the sync thing if it really throws you that bad. When did copy and past become harder than syncing anyways? Furthermore, I would blame windows more than anything, the new OS is still buggy as hell.

By: Marko

Marko — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:22:06 +0000

I just bought it from Best Buy ..and doesn´t even work…I lost important information…..!!!!sucks

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:24:22 +0000

I’ve had mine for about 5 months now, and it has worked flawlessly. I have used it on a ton of computers (travel, and also share files with my friends). It will not work on a USB hub; it needs to be plugged directly into the USB port on the computer. I love it.

By: Zeek

Zeek — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:39:08 +0000

I bought this WD product and 3 weeks after I couldn`t access it. I really hate the fact that all my important documents got lost. I wouldn’t recommended; specially from Wal-Mart when I took it back to get it returned they said I only had two weeks to return it. I tried everything possible to get it working. The piece of crap didn`t work it said “Make sure that the disk is properly inserted or the network resource is available, and then try again.” Don`t Buy This WD External Memory.

By: Ed M

Ed M — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:16:44 +0000

I typically never write reviews, but in this case, I really got burned on this one. I bought the Western Digital Passport 250 GB Drive about 2 months ago from Best Buy. I hadn’t really used it much until recently, when my laptop began to slow to a crawl. So, I took all my files and moved them into a single folder, and then ran the WD Sync Application. The Application, after some churning, had backed up all my data successfully. Now the fun begins. I went and had my laptop re-imaged. When the laptop was returned to me, I pulled out my “trusty” WD Passport, and ran the WD Sync Application, and then selected the “Copy to PC” Option. The application failed to copy about 25% of my files, and now I am unable to access those files at all. I lost critical documents, photos that were dear to me, and other company files that were very important. I am VERY ANGRY that someone like WD could put out a piece of crap. But in my honest opinion, either my BSEE is not good enough to use the simple application, or that is exactly what it is. To add insult to injury, I actually tried to back up my files without using the WD Sync Application, but the device would not allow “long file names”. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Thumbs down all day long.

By: Mohammed D

Mohammed D — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:48:18 +0000

Working really well so far. I usually buy the regular HDD and an external casing and put them together however I've had two crashes (just electronic failure due to shock/drop) and I lost all data. So I decided to pay extra for this little one with lesser memory than I would get for a bigger drive. I just hope this one is more durable and long lasting.

I like the fact that there is no need for messy power adapter and wires, the drive comes with its own neoprene case which is sweet and no software problems either.

I use this drive purely for backup and remove it right away after file transfers are done. It doesn't have a heat sink or cooling fan which is why I would not suggest letting the drive run for long periods.

Cons: So far the only think I don't like it that there isn't any ON/Off switch. Each time I pull out the USB cable from the computer I feel like unplugging a running microwave (a lot quieter of course)... it's not a good feeling

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:26:28 +0000

I don't get people having trouble with this because it's such a simple, straightforward drive.

I just skipped the software altogether and migrated everything from my Documents folder to the Passport. Now I have all my work files (graphics, websites, etc.) on this drive and can go back and forth between my desktop system and my laptop without transferring anything across the network.

As to removing it when you're done, what's the big deal? Just unplug it! I've never seen the point to the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon.

This drive is fast with a good-size capacity, and helped me free up 1/4 of the space on my desktop system's hard drive.

By: Frank Griffith

Frank Griffith — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:01:16 +0000

I had trouble with it not wanting to let me remove it using the remove hardware Icon on my task bar in 2 PCs and it froze up one when I did get the remove hardware Icon to work. It said it was safe to remove and then froze the PC. I have to shut down to unplug the WD Passport with both PCs. Why?

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:30:08 +0000

As a 1st time user, I had some trouble getting started. The instructions were useless. I got an “unable to sync” message, but no explanation of what was wrong; just a “Try Again”.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:38:25 +0000

You don’t get 250GBs of space. Plus WD adds software you actually don’t need into the drive. I tried formatting my drive several ways and don’t get the full 250GBs advertised by WD.

By: Andres Martinez

Andres Martinez — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:28:14 +0000

I had to install encryption software in order to run fast and without problem. The manual says that the USB cord is 22″ when it’s not. The cord (USB) is 12″ long…but no problem with that. All my drives are Western Digital, they work great.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:29:11 +0000

My only problem is that I wish they made them bigger, I have 2 of the 250 GB and several 160 GB, I use them to DJ and play audio and video files out of, and they have worked flawlessly and not stuttered at all.

Might be nicer of they had the cords a little longer at times

By: Tristan

Tristan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:52:02 +0000

Very poor in functionality…I’m using it in my brand new laptop (2.0Ghz C2Duo 2GB ram) and it hangs up when I copy paste large amounts of data…but it has good design.

By: Patek Tomak

Patek Tomak — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 01:21:41 +0000

Love the 250Gb western digital passport, however for my older laptop that has just had a recovery run recently, and now purr’s like a Jaguar. I would have liked to have had the option of an adaptor. Typical of big biz, ignoring us kids, their future cash cow’s.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:12:08 +0000

Tried it on 10 pc and laptop old and new won’t work because it was not enough power. The cable is too short. Write to customer support, still wait for an answer after more than a week, call customer service and I have been cut off every time due to high call volume. I had to return this drive for refund at Costco.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:35:14 +0000

I use this about 10hrs per day, 5 days a week (8-10 hours per day) plugged into a Dell Laptop running Vista, then 2 days a week plugged into a number of Desktops. I have never had any problems and would highly recommend this to anybody. I think people who are overheating these or burning up the USB connection have older PCs or laptops, because I have never had problems with this one and it is treated as a primary disk while I am mobile!

By: Tony Petra

Tony Petra — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:29:15 +0000

Sleek design and USB powered attracted me.I think the protective case should have been included. No problem with operation thus far.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:10:52 +0000

Mine overheated.. unless you plug this thing in for a couple hours at a time it will burn up and corrupt all data saved. It happened to me!

By: Jake LaRue

Jake LaRue — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:42:28 +0000

I bought this from Costco. The cable is short, but I’ve had no problem with it. I’ve used it to transfer files between my two desktops, my laptop, and a friend’s laptop. Another 4 or 6 inches of cable length would be nice, but this works fine. No power issues for me.