WD My Book lost passwordClosed

Question

Hello, 

I backed up my desktop drives on a Western Digital Essential Book protected with PW, I had an issue on my desktop and recovered it, after that I am not able to reach my WD external Drive, as I can not enter the correct password (the PW has more character than max allowed, and/or I forgot the right one). Fortunately, I have an older backup of my desktop files including WD Smartware files and Windows file etc. I think, the WD password may be stored somewhere in backup, or I may use it in a way that My Essential Book, know my desktop again, so I may access to my latest backup on it.
Can you please help and advise me on it.
Thank you

KY_WD · Answer

Hello there,

Have you checked the manual for My Book for further assistance? Here, within this forum there's a thread very similar to your case. Take a look at it if it could be helpful: https://ccm.net/forum/affich-26975-wd-my-book-reset-password 
Also, you could try to extract the data of the external WD product through a Linux Live CD/USB. If you have the option, create a bootable drive with the .iso file and try to boot from it on your PC. You have to change the boot priority to CD ROM or USB ports in order to be able to start the device with the instalлation file. When you boot from it, you don't have to install the operating system but only click on Try.
If that doesn't help, you can always reach the WD Support by creating a case via our official support web page here: http://products.wdc.com/support/kb.ashx?id=AJ6l9z

Keep me posted. Good luck.

WD Issue · Answer

Hi KY_WD,

Thanks for your quick response. 
I checked the WD User Manual, the link you provided, and some other searches  in the past, in my understanding all of them says reset will erase the information from hard drive. As I need that information, I did not use them. If I am wrong please correct me.

Can you help me more to better understand how extract the data of the external WD product through a Linux Live USB when the hard drive PROTECTED by PASSWORD? can I use this method and access to my files without password?

Thanks

WD Issue · Answer

Hi KY_WD
Thanks for your help, here are my response to your questions and some update:
1- Yes, I used WD Smartware to set the password. I checked for different spelling, PW was well known for me. I used that several times, and latest one few days before this issue. I guess it may change by software.
2-Yes, I connected to the PC which known for it.
3- WD Smartware ask for PW. I tried also without it.
4- I tried another PC (without WD Smartware), I am going to try again, and also with WD Smartwrae on it.

I have older backup of my drives (including WD Smartware and Windows files)on another external HDD (my 2nd backup and I have access to it), I used that to successful recovery of another forgot PW (by guide of software producer), I contacted WD customer Service, but up to this time they did not help me on this.

I think finding the PW in 2nd backup may be the easiest way, the only thing I need, where and how to find it.

I will be more than happy for any advice.
Thank you

WD Issue · Answer

Hi,
I installed WD Smartware  on another PC, still shows the issue. I tried by myself and also WD support, no success.
I tried different miss-spells of password, but I am pretty sure that I enter the right one.
At this stage I have two possibilities:
1- Use Linux to access it.
2- Wipe data and then recover it.

My preferred choice is the first one. I tried it, but could not access to the files (STILL ASKING FOR PW). Can you please advise me how to access via Linux (without PW).

Thank you very much

WD Issue · Answer

Hi KY_WD,

Thanks for your response.
Regarding Linux,  I am not sure that I did in the right way. as I am not familiar with the process and did not find any procedure to how run it, probably if I know the right way, I may solve the issue.
I am looking for some advice in how to run it with Linux. Do I have use my Linux USB and click on try? or need something more?
Can you please give me some advise on it?

Thank you

WD My Book lost password

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