Software Update - WD SmartWare Version 1.6.0 for Windows (5/9/12) NO .PST BACKUP

[PStopkat]

Hi Watchful,

Thank you for your reply.  I will explore the options you have communicated.  I will tell you when I contacted Tech Support via telephone I was told that the new 1.6 version just "doesn't " back up .pst files.  That seemed very unlikely to me and I am sure there are thousands of WD customers that would be very unhappy if that were truly the case.

[lkadlec]

Just installed the 1.6.0 update, and now I sometimes can't find the options to do any of the drive tests.  When I go to the Home tab, it shows "My Passport Essential," and I can click on it to highlight it.  But whether or not it was highlighted, the first few times I went to the "Settings" tab, there was an icon representing my laptop computer, and  the Settings tab had options to change the *software* settings.  Then, as I was writing this post, I went back to my Smartware window, and this time when I clicked on the "Settings" tab, it took me to the settings options for my WD drive.  Huh?  Has anyone else seen this?  Any idea what's going on?

[Redwineguy]

I'm running fully updated Vista on a 4Ghz dual-core (and that's about all I know about that).

1.6 still grinds to a halt.

When I attempt to manually turn it off through task manager (the old trick once backup was done), I CAN'T DO IT.  

I uninstalled it this morning.  Unless there is a serious upgrade, rather than a soul and cycles killing "SmartWare" (or as my daughter calls it, "FartWare"), I will be using something (anything) else.

This is my last purchase of a Western Digital product.  I've never really thought about "The Cloud," but Wesern Digital has made me seriously consider it. 

[ANDYSPKS]

Hi.  Just installed 1.6.0 on Win7 Home PRemium SP2.  Works fine, but just concerned that the option to backup whilst idle has been removed.  Not had time to see what happens with the backup whilst working but under only version I had to have that option set therwise the CPU chugged away all day.

Also like others with OUTLOOK, I have 2010 PRo and often I have found that when I check the retrieve files the Outlook.pst file is 2 or 3 days old despite computer being on and Outlook being open and closed during those days.  Any ideas WD.

Would be good to see WD reply to some of the posts, seem to be sadly lacking.

I have 3 Ext WD drives, very pleased with them but do sometimes question if the backup is actually working.

[squirrel]

I updated WD smartware and now am not able to bakup or retrieve.  They show but I cannot click on the tabs.  I uninstalled and reinstalled and still the same.  I only have the Home and settings.  I cannot even backup.  I would like to know what to do or get a link to the previous version because It worked then.  I am using Windows 7 64 bit.  It has alway worked and backed up great until now.  I am very frustrated.

[ANDYSPKS]

This may help.  I had same when I first loaded after updating to 1.6 this monring.  Initially both Backup and Retrieve Tabs are greyed out.  On the Home Tab, select the drive you weant to back up and the WD device you want to back up to and both tabs come to life.  However, when you exit and go back in I noticed they are greyed out again and you need again to select the correct WD device.  Additionally it will not back up the Outlook PST files.  Using 2010 version.  I have placed a message on the board for help. Seems to be a few glitches.  Good luck.

[Watchful]

Hi ANDYSPK,

I've also found that my backed up PST files  are several days out of date.  In my case I think the reason is that I don't normally open SmartWare from Quick View, but simply rely on the automatic backup.  However,  on several occasions I've noticed in Windows Task Manager that WDBackupEngine.exe and WDRulesEngine.exe do not start when I turn on my computer, and therefore no automatic backup is performed during that session.  They can be turned on by opening SmartWare from Quick View.   It only needs this to happen several times in succession for complete days of PST backup to be missed. Another little bug.

I made some other observations about PST files in my post on [Edit ] Page 5  Page 4 of this string.

[msklein]

I was not having any issues with prior versions. Now 1.6 has the following issues;

1. The outlook.PST file just stays pending backup for days. There is no feature to force the backup.

2. If I cannot find a way to backup my outlook files I will need to do this manually since the PST is critical to my business.

3. The WDBackupEngine.exe runs constantly between 13% and 25% of my HP Quad Core laptop. This forces the CPU fan to run almost constantly  as well.

Please Help!!!!

[ANDYSPKS]

Hi msklein

Seems many of us have identified the same issues, shame WD haven't got to grips with a clear set of programming problems.  I installed yesterday, cannot, like ypou afford not to have the PST backup so this morning I unistalled Ver 1.6 and resintalled previous version 1.5.1.6   This works fine, has option to backup when idle, immediately backup all PST and other previously shown as 'pending' files.  The only thing with installign the previous version is that it did a full backup, but left all the previous versions there too.  A little price to pay for satisfaction.  I have little confidence in WD unless they tell us they have fixed the issues in the release files.

Good luck.

[ANDYSPKS]

Thanks Watchful.  I decided this morning that version 1.6 is Untrustworthy and have deleted and reverted to previous 1.5.1.6   Now all working as I want it.  Until WD confirm they have resolved the problem I will not upgrade and not recommend other people to buy or use WD software.

Regards.  Andy