My WD portable 250 gb hard drive

Several possibilities:

* bad USB port in your computer (try another USB port)
* messed-up copy of Windows (try connecting to a different computer)
* damaged USB cable between computer and the Passport (replace it)
* bad disk-drive inside the enclosure (replace it)
* bad USB-to-disk-drive adapter (buy a new "empty" enclosure)

Check the warranty on it, to see if W.D. will replace it, at minimal cost to you. If the warranty has expired, W.D. has a "Customer Loyalty" program -- buy a new Passport through their web-site, and you qualify for a discount on your purchase.

Connect it to a different computer. If it still is not detected, then there is a hardware problem. Exercise the warranty to get it repaired/replaced.
Note that W.D. has a "Customer Loyalty" program; buy a new disk-drive from the W.D. web-site, at a good discount.

Try connecting it to another computer, to see if your computer is the problem.

Try a different USB cable between the unit and your computer.

If it is still under warranty (one year?) then contact W.D. to get an RMA (Return Materials Authorization) -- then, ship the unit to them, for repair/replacement.

If the warranty has expired, open the case, disconnect the USB-to-disk-drive adapter, and connect the disk-drive as a "slave" drive in some desktop computer, to see if it can be properly "detected".

Note that W.D. has a "Customer Loyalty" program -- give them the serial-number from the disk-drive, and you get a good discount on the purchase of a new Passport from their web-site.

Have to check it in the Device Manager that the new device have been detected or not. It may happen that when the external HDD connects to the computer for the first time computer cannot detect it as it is not properly formatted in proper file-system. Open Computer Management and click on Disk Management and format the device correctly to operate.

First, make sure you've downloaded all of the latest drivers and ran the installation CD that usually comes with the device. Then, check the computer manufacturer's information. Your USB ports may not be supplying enough power to run the Passport.

first u install usb driver

is it a new one? go to disk manager and format it... Then widows will see it..

Is the drive formatted? Did you get an install disk supplied with it? If so try running it.
Check your system BIOS and see if the drive is being detected there. Also you can check the Device Manager in Windows to see if there any issues with the drive.

If your system detects the connected device that is a good start. Was the drive formatted for another operating system? Certainly try the drive on another system and/or another drive on your system.

Hi !

First check if your WD is running (spinning), no matter if the blue light is on. Can you hear it close with your ear, or feel vibrations on your hand when it starts.

If it runs, then check/replace the USB cable you are using with another.
Check the Power supply if it gives necessary power.


If you are familliar with disassembling/assembling, then open and remove the HDD from the box and try to connect the disc directly to your PC (using another HDD Data/Power cables).

If it runs, and you can acces it, then something is wrong with the Box.

If it doesn't, then the HDD is broken or damaged.

Please note that if your device is under warranty, DO NOT open the box ! Contact your seller for service/replacement instructions.

Regards.