My HDD is locked and wont unlock [ Edited ]

[KHealyJ]

For some BIZARRE reason "My Book Essential 1TB" HDD is locked and wont unlock. I know the password, I disabled the password when I first got it (just under a week ago) but when I turned my PC on a few hours ago it wasn't showing up under "My Computer" and after swapping USB connections, restarting my PC, fiddling etc, it eventually was showing up as Locked. I have read numerous amounts of forum posts telling me that I need to reformat to mac? Im not on mac so I doubt this applies. I also read that I need to restart the HDD completely, yet it still tells me the same thing when I do this. The first thing I am told is "Erase My Book; too many attempts" - Well I haven't asked for it to be deleted nor do I want it to be.

After getting so angry with the fact I may lose all my files I decided that if I want it to work again this is the only way around it, so I clicked  "I understand that reformatting my drive will delete all of my data" and clicking continue I get "There has been an error erasing your drive"

Is there any way I can get into My Book to save my files? Is there a way that will enable me to enter my password again?

I sincerely hope this is just a blonde moment and that there is a extremely easy way to deal with this as I do not wish to tamper with it, going with "gut instinct" as at the moment I am too angry with it.

Please help

I'll be waiting on the forums willing to give any additional info

KHealyJ

[Joe_S]

Disconnect the drive and unplug power wait about a minute then reconnect and it should give you 5 more tries with password.

Joe

[KHealyJ]

I tried this, plenty of times. Doesn't give me the choice to enter a password. Just went to the same thing as stated above

[Mutthead]

I'm having the same problem.  Never set a password.  Never entered a password once, let alone 5 times.  Even when unplugged and re-plugged no option of entering password before receiving "Too Many Password Attempts".

I don't want to format it.  Solutions?

[Joe_S]

Did you recently update the firmware?

Joe

[Mutthead]

Didn't update firmware.  Got it about a month ago and never thought to do it.  Computer won't recognize the drive now so that' no longer an option.  Only thing that autoplays is the WD Unlocker, which when run goes straight to the "Too Many Password Attempts" screen.

[Joe_S]

Sometimes this happens shortly after a firmware upgrade.

Joe

[WimYogya]

Hi, I have a similar problem: can't unlock a WD Passport Essential that I NEVER LOCKED! Never used any lock or password. While listening to my iTunes music on that disk, the music stopped suddenly, device was locked as I found out. No help so far from any local technician, 10 supporft mails from WD online support keep repeating they have no master password, I need my password.... nonsense... Now finally, in this thread, after a lot of forum googling, I might have found a hint: I dont know the term FIRMWARE but I assume it is something like an operating system update? If I remember well (but no 100% guarantee) there WAS a WD update request while I was working (multitasking: music, editing photos, reading online news etc). I THINK I just clicked ok. The message that 'this sometimes happens after installing new firmware' gives some hope. Apparently it happens SOMETIMES, because my 2 other (500GB) WD's have no problem, only my 1TB one. But more important is the ANSWER: how to get rid of the problem? Any help?

[safe4all]

I'm havening the same problem with my HD "My Book Essential" for some reason it was locked and my notebook does not recognize the HD , This issue follows another problem I had with this HD : few weeks ago I was forced to format my HD because my computer didn't read it . My understanding is - never get involved with WD again , but for now - what can I do ?

[jcpkz]

since yesterday i tried to use my laptop emachines e725

but a blue sing appear it said that i had to enter a input password to unlock the hard drive... please if somebody could tell me the password...

l never put a password to my hard drive i dont know of any password.. please help me..!