Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and still have plug-n-play ability?I hope it doesn't require software to actually work..Otherwise, it's a sure buy. Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and... » Read More Reformatting to fresh start without software? Hi,I was just wondering, is it possible to reformat this particular drive, (leaving no traces of western digital software on the drive) and still have plug-n-play ability?I hope it doesn't require software to actually work..Otherwise, it's a sure buy. « Show Less
587481
I reformatted using just my MacBook Pro -no software needed. Also, u can call WD and their tech person will walk u thru it. No charge, very easy & fast.
587482
yep, format it and delete all WD crap, mine has 3 partitioni use gparted live cd
374227
If you still need the help, you may can use the "Disk Management" program in windows 7. Once you find the program that lets you reformat the volume, it should be simple to follow the rest of the instructions.
906489
I suspect it will NOT boot if you copy to a new disk as the current drive sounds like it has physical issues. This device makes a sector-by-sector mirror image of the existing drive so I would not be optimistic a copy of it will boot properly.
2184715
I first tried an existing hard drive. It did not need formatting. When I installed a new hard drive and it didn't work, I assumed the Mediasonic wasn't working and returned it. Later when I installed the new hard drive in my PC, I found that it did need to be formatted. Therefore, I'm not sure if formatting was an issue in my case. Based on the other answer you received, maybe I did return the case when I really didn't have to.
603305
No need do any re-format. For my iMAC, just installed software has already on Portable Hard drive, and my laptop PC with Window 7 automatic recognized device.
1906407
while I don' t have a clear cut answer, I do have one that works. See if it at least is at least recognized in device manager under Windows' control panel. If it is, you might right click on properties and have windows look for a new driver on the net. You might want.to reformat it under fat32 or NTFS....
1560381
Yeh; un-finalizing an RW disk can be done by Formatting it. I'm not sure if there's a way to un-finalize them without formatting.I had a DVD recorder once, and different menus were displayed depending on whether Rs vs. RWs were inserted, having to do with formatting, finalizing, etc.Cheers.
313828
How? I hooked up my portable hard drive and it did not work! Problem is, its NTSF and not FAT32 formatted. Tried to reformat, and no go there either.
1289057
On a windows 7 pc you simply go to start menu - computer - right click the flash drive - left click "format" - left click the drop down menu - left click NTFS or Ex-FAT - and then press START. If I was going to use as a boot drive for, say restoring my operating system, I'd uncheck the quick format box and do a full format. I think this method works the same or similarly for XP or Windows 8, I haven't tried either in awhile. Cheers!
790828
It doesn't come with any software and you don't need anything for it to work. Just plug and play. I use my other software to burn or create disks but you don't need them for this drive to work.
1549637
No, you would never expect to have anything pre-installed on a bare drive like this. Formatted maybe, but usually not. Completely empty.
2202175
Here is a quick tutorial for reformatting this drive to work on a Mac. Very easy and helpfulhttp://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/291/#exfatmac
1813387
Thanks for the info, guys. I use Windows XP, plan on downloading well over 4GB in musical CDs, audiobooks, and mp3's, so, if I'm reading you right, I SHOULD reformat to NTFS. Is this correct? And thanks again for your help.
1467436
Yes. You'll have to go to the WD website to get.instructions on how to format it using Disk Utility. Not hard, but not plug and play.Hope this helps. Cheers,Steve
286962
Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it. Good luck!! Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it.... » Read More Hi William: I have so far had a good experience with the LaCie 3TB minimus (with Windows 7). It is possible I may have a review of it on Amazon. My concerns were largely issues of formatting a 3TB drive. But an official vendor's quote could be taken if you make a pdf of the Amazon page for the relevant product. I would think the same goes for any other site. And give the school a printout of the pdf. They can verify it independently as well once you have given them the pdf. If the school is bureaucratic about it get written quotes from neighbourhood computer stores. That ought to do it. Good luck!! « Show Less
2034942
Wouldn't you rather reinstall your programs and such onto the new drive and not copy everything over? I have had less issues starting from scratch than imaging it.Alienware should use standard sized drives unless everything is on a mSSD.
2074808
Basically, any new operating system installs best on a newly formatted HD. This means your computer's empty. You are not going to save your programs and data. Be aware most programs will need to be reinstalled, then it's data can be restored. This being said, your computer should forget who it was and it's component parts also, part of a OEM disk protocol is to format your HD. Be sure to have access to your computer's manufactures web sit for driver access. Win 7 Pro has a good driver data base but may not have your network card or wireless radio. Having an Ethernet dongle is recommended. This is if you have an OEM OS disk, an update disk is different. Not as clean of a reinstall of the OS, I've heard.
1573880
No. Simply plug in the drive and start copying files. It may be necessary to reformat the drive depending on your preferred file system (I reformat to "HFS+" for my Mac), but you absolutely do not to install software to use this. I believe both Judith and Vitalino are speaking of device drivers (on a Windows system), rather than the software included with the drive.