WD Smartware Upgrade failure - Error Code 1603 [ Edited ]

[Pluton]

WD Smartware Upgrade failure - Error Code 1603

Windows Installer Package

version 1.5.1.6.zip

1/08/2011 10:15 am

22,839 KB

My Book Essential 1TB USB 2.0

Model: WDBAAF0010HBK

Serial No: [Deleted]

BAADAB     <----- don't know what this is.

Attached to an ASUS M6 Notebook - Intel Centrino - 2GB RAM - Win XP Pro - 2006 model.

The original WDSmartware.exe file runs the CPU at 93% then the Notebook turns off, thermally overloaded I suspect.

I have to disable WDSmartware.exe in Windows Task Manager on startup within about the first two minutes, to

prevent this happening.

I downloaded WD Smartware Upgrade version 1.4.5.2B.zip in April 2011 but the installation failed with an

ERROR CODE 1603.

I downloaded WD Smartware Upgrade version 1.5.1.6.zip on 13th Sept 2011 but the installation failed with an

ERROR CODE 1603 again.

I have searched through the WD Knowledge Base in April & Sept 2011 and could'nt  find anything on

ERROR CODE 1603 so I gave up.

I do a Google Search on this problem and it appears that this has been around since at least April 2010, thats

17 months.

There are plenty of comments and work-arounds out there but this is just too confusing and too painful.

So what can I do please.

I wait for some charitable help and advice.

PLUTON 

2011-09-15  1631AEST  Thu   (0631UTC)

Melbourne

Australia.

[Nesvic]

Maybe you should try contacting WD's Technical Support about this. You can do so either by phone or email.

To Contact WD for Technical Support
http://support.wdc.com/contact/index.asp?lang=en

[Foong]

Recently I have also encountered the same problem. My problem is due to the Microsoft .Net Framework. You try to fix this problem. Hope it helps.

[savage]

I receive the error code1603 each time I try to install the latest Smartware update.   This is what they told me back in November "Thank you for contacting Western Digital Customer Service and Support. My name is XXXXXX.
I apologize for the inconvenience. Smartware does install using the Windows Installer package and this process occasionally "breaks". When this happens, Smartware cannot be uninstalled properly and as it does not get fully uninstalled, it will not reinstall.
If you are receiving the error code 1603, you will need to contact our Level II support for assistance with removing the remaining Smartware installation before attempting to reinstall Smartware. The process is too involved for email and we will need to establish a remote connection to assist you with this process."

It would be nice if they fixed the problem or at least provided a do-it-yourself repair utility without having to call for a Level II support remote session.  What happens after my warranty runs out?