Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and still have plug-n-play ability?I hope it doesn't require software to actually work..Otherwise, it's a sure buy. Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and... » Read More Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and still have plug-n-play ability?I hope it doesn't require software to actually work..Otherwise, it's a sure buy. « Show Less
587481
I reformatted using just my MacBook Pro -no software needed. Also, u can call WD and their tech person will walk u thru it. No charge, very easy & fast.
587482
yep, format it and delete all WD crap, mine has 3 partitioni use gparted live cd
374227
If you still need the help, you may can use the "Disk Management" program in windows 7. Once you find the program that lets you reformat the volume, it should be simple to follow the rest of the instructions.
593022
Short answer: Yes. I did it and it works great. Long Answer: It's not simple, especially if you are upgrading to a smaller disk. 1) Create a recovery disk/thumb drive with the Windows Utility. Besides being a good idea, they offer you the option to delete the Recovery partition from the back end of the drive. Doing so will allow you to more easily manipulate the existing partitions for transfer. 2) Delete the blank d: Data partition. I am not sure why they break it up like this. Possibly shrink the System partition (I first went to a 128GB drive, then to a 256). 3) Unscrew the bottom, remove the drive (REAL SHUT DOWN FIRST!!!) 4) I tried to use Clonezilla to duplicate the drive, but this didn't work so well. So I ended up using a simple dd command in linux. If all this is beyond you, just find a local geek to help. 5) Plugged in the new drive, screwed it all back up, and it worked! ONE ISSUE!!! Upon reboot, Windows thinks it's a special version called Windows To Go, and won't let you install from the MS Store. Here is the solution: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/W8ITProWTG/thread/af05f60a-4cb0-4561-b49f-71938dad6853
576187
As commenter Super Geek suggests, if you're using a PC, then you will need to reformat it as Fat32. If you have any data on it, you will need to back it up elsewhere in order to reformat the drive for PC.
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On a windows 7 pc you simply go to start menu - computer - right click the flash drive - left click "format" - left click the drop down menu - left click NTFS or Ex-FAT - and then press START. If I was going to use as a boot drive for, say restoring my operating system, I'd uncheck the quick format box and do a full format. I think this method works the same or similarly for XP or Windows 8, I haven't tried either in awhile. Cheers!
2252737
Check he website. I think I saw some programs that you could download. But the drive works like any other so you can just use your OS backup software which works like a charm. It's really plug and play, no software needed.
910725
Always worth the shot. But: What OS? External Drive or Internal? Do other Drives work ok? I've never known DW to damage a drive, but it will tell you if it can't do it.You tried rebooting? Does the errant drive show up on Disk Utility from a different drive? Checked cable connections are intact? (try a different cable) . Tried Data Rescue 2 to salvage data?
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I think my drive was formatted with ntfs but I can't remember for sure. I have received drives both formatted and blank. Drives I have received with back up software already installed have, for the most part, been formatted with ntfs.
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Ronald T. Lintz did you reformat from windows or with the c250 detached from the Settings menu? Could someone please list the steps in order since I am slow and didn't get the USB after the firmware update. I picked Europe.
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I reformat the disc! The tools menu has this as an option, and it works great. I do it after every download.
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I'm in the process of doing this exact upgrade, except up to 480 GB. Using Macrium Reflect Free, I was able to clone the drive, swap it into the Series 9, and the computer is acting perfectly. It worked. The problem is that even though it's a 480 GB drive, windows just shows it as the same size as old one, with 300GB of "unallocated" space that I can't figure out how to make accessible. If you figure it out, please let me know how you did it! My thread is one of the other Q & A threads on this same product.
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No, you would never expect to have anything pre-installed on a bare drive like this. Formatted maybe, but usually not. Completely empty.
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No reformatting necessary as the hard drive ships in FAT32 format, which is instantly compatible with a Mac. If there is /any/ chance that you will be hooking into a Mac and a PC at some point, I'd highly recommend leaving the formatting as is (of course you can wipe the drive and then reformat it in MSDOS format through Disk Utility). You cannot easily write to a Windows (i.e., NTFS) drive but you can read it on a Mac. Have no idea as to whether a Windows machine can read/write something that is Mac formatted, however.
1812123
No but you can boot from a standalone CD program and make a copy of a drive that has been freshly formatted.
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Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it. Good luck!! Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it.... » Read More Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it. Good luck!! « Show Less
2023142
My use of this drive has been exclusively on the Mac. However, I did not use any of the back-up software or formatting provided on the drive. It was necessary to use the Mac disk utility to reformat the drive. Then it worked with Apple's Time Machine.
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When you buy a nee device like a Hard Disk, it's recommendable to format before using it. Just be sure that you are formating your hard disk into NTSF. I hope this answer help you.
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Yes, but it needs FAT32 file format and won't read NTFS* (which is default on most drives). This link shows how to quickly reformat your drive while also making sure you back up your data. http://www.wikihow.com/Format-FAT32