Smartware Backup and Retrieve Tabs are GRAYED OUT

[zylixwix]

Periodically, my Smartware Backup and Retrieve Tabs Gray out -- and my backup just stops.  I know from my Dashboard that the connection between my DUO and PC is still there and appears to be fully funcitoning. 

Does anyone know what might be causing this???   It really defeats the pupose of the device and I need to assure that my files are bing backed up.

Sure would appreciate support.  Thanks.

[Alucardx23]

In my case it takes some time for the backup and retrieve tabs to be accessible when I load Smartware, sometimes up to one minute, check if the same thing happens to you.

[zylixwix]

Thanks for thre response, but the tabs stay grayed out.  Also, the Settings Tab Page is absoloutely blank in the tab fields.  

I was wondering if I should remove the program and reinstall.  It seems like this may work, but I am scared to do it for creating another problem (e.g., the program not know what was backed up and what is not) -- not likely, but in the remote chance I don't know what I am doing, I dont want to start from ground zero.

What do you think?  Any other ideas about what could be happening?  Do you think there is any danger to removing and reinstalling Smartwre??

[zylixwix]

Man.... what a day of more great frustration with the My Book Live Duo.  Per my notes above, my Smartware backup and retrieve tabs were grayed out.    As there is no information about this anywhere that I could find I decided the only thing I could do is reinstall the software (with the hope that it would still reference a file which indicates what was baccked up from this PC).

Surely, but sure enough, my worst dream came true.   The software did not seem to recognize the fact that I backed up the files on the My Book Live Duo -- so now it it is doing it again!!!!!!!!!!!!       One consequence is  that I will have to wait again for my entire drive to be backed up!

Also, I am assuming that my disk drive will be backed up twice. and there does not be away to delete the first backup.  As I undertand it from previous conversations in this Forum, there is no way to delete backup files -- which is also nuts (especially if you want to delete files to protect yourself and also save space).  This is insane that you can not eliminate or "shred" your own files as you deem fit (and could represent huge libabilities in legal, marital and other arenas!

Now that this brilliant software seems to be backing up my computer for a second time (and has no vehicle for deleting what was done before) and I have Raid turned on and have many files backed up to my public drive for remote access, I will have about six back-ups on the same server!!!

If I am doing something very wrong, let me know.  If not, this product is so not ready for prime time, it is not funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Man, am I frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  When I bought this product I think I may have really bought into a lot of marketing stuff that just isn't true.  Help!!!

[StupidWare]

computer can access the drive, i can do anything with it, only smartware does not work. reinstall can not help, restart can not help. somethimes helps changing the drive letter. i am glad i have bought this scrap for myself and not for any customer and now i know i would never do this mistake...

[Artist_chick]

I just did my back up today and came across the same problem with the grayed out tabs.  After clicking around, since I am not entirely computer savvy, I simply clicked on the My Passport Essential icon on the home screen and it lit up the tabs!  I know this is a late response....hope it helps.

[zufabulous]

Just fouind this post after doing a Google search for the same issue. The last poster had it right. Just go to the home page of your WD SmartWare and click on your external hard drive. Wait a sec and the Backup/Retrieve tabs are available again. Thanks!

[wombat11]

Same problem and click on the backup drive on the HOME screen worked for me too!!!  thanks for the advice.

[zylixwix]

Sometimes there is a consistent requirement for a password even thought I do not have one.   The only way out is to reboot my pc.   Go figure.

[C-Dan-Go]

Here is what I did to resolve this.  I just purchased this and had the same problems described.  I ended up using a browser and connecting to the My Book Live via my home network IP assignment - http://192.168.1.100/.  It first informed me there was a new firware update so I updated the firmware.  I then first secured my drive by clicking the link in upper right-hand corner.  I then clicked Users and created new users for my various systems to use.  I then opened the WS SmartWare application and under the Home button selected the appropriate user from the drop down to connect with and had to provide the password i setup when creating the user.  Hope this helps.