Western Digital My Book Studio 1TB review

[odedia]

Just wanted to let everyone know my experience with WD's My Book Studio.

Many people has serious issues with this drive.

I bought one, and immediately upgraded the firmware to the latest version which is supposed to resolve many of the issues.

Well, I only had it for a few days, and I am very satisfied. It is VERY quiet (much quieter than the Time Capsule hard drive), and is VERY fast (on a Firewire 800 port connected to a 24" iMac) and so far it appears to be reliable. The capacity gauge feature works as advertised as well.

I think they really did the right thing with this firmware update. I am running this on Leopard 10.5.2.

I can definitely see myself daisy-chain more of these on the 800 port when more space is required.

I don't have a PPC mac, so no word on resolving problems on that side. I also didn't try to boot from it yet.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Thanks.

Oded S.

[MM07]

I just got 2 new 320 GB MyBooks. How did you upgrade the firmware? I'm just curious.

[odedia]

Hey MM07.

I downloaded mine from here:

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=39&swid=60

I also downloaded and installed the WD Drive Manager(Mac) from here:

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=39&swid=61

Make sure it is the same for your drive, they are most likely totally different products. My particular product had serious problems with the initial firmware that shipped with it.

[RaceTripper]

I'm glad I found this. I've been using a 1TB MyStudio since November. While it work fine most of the time, every once in a while it goes to sleep and doesn't wake up for a Time Machine backup. Hopefully the firmware update will fix it.

[MM07]

Hey MM07.

I downloaded mine from here:

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=39&swid=60

I also downloaded and installed the WD Drive Manager(Mac) from here:

http://support.wdc.com/download/index.asp?cxml=n&pid=39&swid=61

Make sure it is the same for your drive, they are most likely totally different products. My particular product had serious problems with the initial firmware that shipped with it.

I am going to try the first link that you provided.

What do you use the second link for?

Thanks!

[odedia]

The second link downloads software for the mac to let you manage the drive. It puts an icon in the top menu bar. Clicking it tells you how much percent of the drive is occupied. I believe this program is also responsible for indicating the capacity on the device itself (it has a capacity gauge, which indicates the remaining space using a light bar).

[ubercool]

I have a Western Digital MyBook World Edition II 1TB and have never had any problem with it. Then again, I only use it for accessing huge video files, so YMMV. :cool:

[AliensExist4]

I am looking to get the 500gb Studio Edition for my Macbook Pro for Logic Studio files somewhat soon. This will be my first External Hard Drive. When I get it I will download the new firmware and and WD Drive Manager Mac. For the files I want to go into the WD Drive do I just simply drag them from my internal HD to the External HD icon? Any other info I should know would be great. Thanks,

Also, I saw that it has a Fireware 800 to 400 cable as well as the 400 to 400. Would there be any difference in performance or anything to use an 800-400 rather than just a 400-400?

- Patrick

[Jiddick ExRex]

I just bought this drive a week ago and it works like a charm!

The price was very low on this drive and I figured I should better buy it at once since I really needed more space.

I am downloading the firmware update as I type as I didn't realize it was important.

I am currently daisychaining to a FW400 drive which I use as a Time Machine backup.

[RaceTripper]

After installing the firmware update I installed the new WDDriveManager. It acted flakey and at one point the menubar icon stopped respondiing. I have enough problems with Leopard stability, so I removed it again. It isn't necessary to have it.

[odedia]

For some reason, the icon for the drive manager stopped appearing on the menu bar, so I decided to just remove it as well. Drive is still great though.

I couldn't find the dmg install file to remove the original installation, so I did my first search through time with time machine using time capsule. Worked like a charm :D.

Oded S.

[supercooled]

That's funny, my unit doesn't report any capacity numbers and the firmware did nothing to resolve the fan issue. This thing is a hoover.

[golfman]

Do the WD MyBook Studio HD's have a fan?

[AliensExist4]

I am looking to get the 500gb Studio Edition for my Macbook Pro for Logic Studio files somewhat soon. This will be my first External Hard Drive. When I get it I will download the new firmware and and WD Drive Manager Mac. For the files I want to go into the WD Drive do I just simply drag them from my internal HD to the External HD icon? Any other info I should know would be great. Thanks,

Also, I saw that it has a Fireware 800 to 400 cable as well as the 400 to 400. Would there be any difference in performance or anything to use an 800-400 rather than just a 400-400?

- Patrick

[AliensExist4]

Anyone please? Want to get one some time soon.

-Patrick

[milkybrainuk]

I bought this drive a few months ago.
Was very well price for 1tb external drive with all the port/connection options on it.

The main problem i had with it was if i had it connected to my mac via firewire 800 and plugged in the mains and then turn off the mains plug for everything at my desk. Then turn the mains back on and turn on my mac it doesnt mount the drive and i had to unplug the firewire and the mains to the drive. Then plug just the mains in, turn the drive on, then plug in the firewire it would then mount it.

Hope that made some sense.

But all has been fixed with the firmware update. That problem has gone now. Great drive and quiet. Looks nice. But is made out of plastic. So i feel like i have to be a bit more careful with it then my lacie drives.

I dont use any of the software that came with it for the light on the front. Try to keep startup/background appz down to a min.

Oh forgot to add that i only use it for time machine backups

[piratezeke]

Okay, sometimes I can't help but ask the dumb question.

I have my first Apple on order (a 2.5 15" Macbook Pro). I still have a Dell Desktop that I need to keep around for various reasons for a while (the plan is if I fall in love with my MBP to probably get an iMac to replace the desktop at some point). Anyway, will this external (or an external in general) work on both a PC and a Mac? Do anything special or can I "plug and play" between the two?

Thanks!

[alphaod]

Does it mean if I were to install this firmware update I must use the software?:confused:

[RAlfieri]

Does it mean if I were to install this firmware update I must use the software?:confused:

No, you do not need the WDDriveManager software. I just uninstalled it because I am having the sleep of death problem on Firewire as well.

It works fine without the software. I reported it to Western Digital and they sent me on a wild goosechase to see if the drive passed diagnostics. The drive is fine, their software is flaky.

Cheers,
Rob

[lwcoffer2]

Are these problems only associated w/ Leopard? Sorry, first time hearing about this.

[MM07]

No, you do not need the WDDriveManager software. I just uninstalled it because I am having the sleep of death problem on Firewire as well.



What did you do to uninstall it? I have it on my menu bar and it doesn't really do much for me.

[RAlfieri]

What did you do to uninstall it? I have it on my menu bar and it doesn't really do much for me.

Run the installer again and you will see a remove option next to the install button.

[RAlfieri]

Are these problems only associated w/ Leopard? Sorry, first time hearing about this.

The firmware upgrade is for Leopard specifically. I do not know if there were issues associated with Tiger.

[gondor123]

The WD Driver Manager is installed in the Library/Application Support/WesternDigital director after install on Mac! and accessible in menu bar.
:)

[chkdg8]

I'm thinking of buying this unit from newegg. Any new experiences from users? I've read all of the newegg and Amazon reviews and there seems to be a problem with the unit not going to sleep or turning off when one's mac turns off while connected through FW800 only. Also, what did the firmware update resolve? One of the other comments that had me worried was that daisy chaining was NOT recommended via FW800 by Western Digital themselves. Can anyone shed some light on some of these issues? Thank you.

[RaceTripper]

I'm thinking of buying this unit from newegg. Any new experiences from users? I've read all of the newegg and Amazon reviews and there seems to be a problem with the unit not going to sleep or turning off when one's mac turns off while connected through FW800 only. Also, what did the firmware update resolve? One of the other comments that had me worried was that daisy chaining was NOT recommended via FW800 by Western Digital themselves. Can anyone shed some light on some of these issues? Thank you.
I wouldn't buy it again. I've done all the firmware updates and I still have a problem with it not waking up from sleep, so I have to disconnected it, turn it off, and the reconnect and power on again. Of course, that doesn't work very well if you use it for Time Machine.

[tbayrgs]

I'm thinking of buying this unit from newegg. Any new experiences from users? I've read all of the newegg and Amazon reviews and there seems to be a problem with the unit not going to sleep or turning off when one's mac turns off while connected through FW800 only. Also, what did the firmware update resolve? One of the other comments that had me worried was that daisy chaining was NOT recommended via FW800 by Western Digital themselves. Can anyone shed some light on some of these issues? Thank you.

I have had one connected to me MacBook via Time Capsule USB for about 2 months with no issues whatsoever--use it to store/stream my iTunes library. It is pretty quiet and have had no sleep/wake issues (though I understand you were inquiring about FW).

I will like be replacing it though with a pair of LaCie D2 quandra's that will be connected to my new Mac Mini (to be a HTPC). I've read about potential My Book reliability issues as well (mine stays pretty warm, bordering on hot), build quality is not great (painted plastic case vs. aluminum LaCie), and LaCie are stackable--minor but my own space saving need. I'm going to keep the WD and use is as my remote back up (translation--backup and keep offsite).

[chkdg8]

I wouldn't buy it again. I've done all the firmware updates and I still have a problem with it not waking up from sleep, so I have to disconnected it, turn it off, and the reconnect and power on again. Of course, that doesn't work very well if you use it for Time Machine.
Wow, this is exactly what I didn't want to hear. Now I'm stuck as to which back up solution I should set up. All I want is to have one external drive for all of my videos for a mac mini media center and then another drive for Time Machine back ups.

I have had one connected to me MacBook via Time Capsule USB for about 2 months with no issues whatsoever--use it to store/stream my iTunes library. It is pretty quiet and have had no sleep/wake issues (though I understand you were inquiring about FW).

I will like be replacing it though with a pair of LaCie D2 quandra's that will be connected to my new Mac Mini (to be a HTPC). I've read about potential My Book reliability issues as well (mine stays pretty warm, bordering on hot), build quality is not great (painted plastic case vs. aluminum LaCie), and LaCie are stackable--minor but my own space saving need. I'm going to keep the WD and use is as my remote back up (translation--backup and keep offsite).

Man, everyone keeps telling me to stay away from LaCie drives. How about Time Capsule as a mac mini media center set up? I've read from many users that not only do they get extremely hot but after a while, they stop working with no warning at all and they've lost all of they're data. This issue is getting a little more complicated than it needs to be. I'm running out of room on my iMac and need to come up with a workable solution soon.

[pmcmvp]

there should be no issues having it on 24/7 right?

[RaceTripper]

there should be no issues having it on 24/7 right?
There are with mine. I was using it with Time Machine. I would frequently find in the morning that Time Machine was trying to run for the past 8 hours, but never could because the drive wouldn't wake up. I stopped using it for Time Machine because it was too problematic. I now have a Time Capsule for that. It's slower, but much more reliable.

[pmcmvp]

just bought it today, I will test it out tonight...if this does not work, im going for the hp mediasmart server...

[MacDawg]

I have never had a problem with mine at all

I use it for Time Machine and a scheduled Carbon Copy Clone in the middle fo the night 7 days a week

Flawless

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[benborman]

I've had good luck with these drives. I first picked up a 500 GB model for Time Machine backups on my Mac Pro. I soon found myself needing more space for backups, so I picked up a 1TB version.

As a precaution, I updated the firmware on the 500 GB when I first got it (I think it was Jan/Feb 2008) and have never had a problem.

I bought the 1TB one from NewEgg earlier this year, and I believe the firmware was all up-to-date out of the box.

Anyway, I currently run these via FW800 - The 1TB is my Time Machine drive, and the 500 GB (daisy-chained through the 1TB) serves as extra storage for DVD images and encoded movies.

The drives wake and sleep with the computer, and run quiet as a spinning platter could be. No complaints here!

[chkdg8]

I just realized that Newegg recently listed it as a "Deactivated Item (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136184)".:confused: So, what's next on the agenda?

[RaceTripper]

I just realized that Newegg recently listed it as a "Deactivated Item (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136184)".:confused: So, what's next on the agenda?Mine's a deactivated item all the time. Goes to sleep and won't wake up unless I reboot. :rolleyes:

[chkdg8]

Besides the My Book Studio II, it looks like the LACIE d2 Quadra 1TB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822154332) at $159.99 is next on deck as far as the reviews on newegg go.

[pmcmvp]

having no issue so far with it...its awesome

[chkdg8]

having no issue so far with it...its awesome

Lucky for you. You're one of the few on here that has had good experiences. I had it on my Newegg wish list and now it's gone. I wonder why?

[amoergosum]

I just purchased a WD My Book Studio Edition 1TB external hard drive.
How do I know if the latest firmware is installed?

[RaceTripper]

I just purchased a WD My Book Studio Edition 1TB external hard drive.
How do I know if the latest firmware is installed?Just install the latest firmware. Then you'll know.

[amoergosum]

Just install the latest firmware. Then you'll know.

Thanks. I just did that.

[Cole Slaw]

I've had the 1 TB version for months now. Never had any of the sleep issues some people have mentioned.
Only slight problem I've ever had with it is it would have problems dismounting. I'd have to quit finder and then eject the disc a second time, which would always work.
This wasn't too much of an issue for me because the MBP the drive is hooked up to is generally used like a desktop these days; i.e., monitor, mouse/keyboard, ext HD, so it wasn't dismounted too often.
However, that problem went away when I installed the latest firmware about a month ago.
I leave it powered on all the time to let Time Machine do it's thing ( I have it set up with 2 partitions, one for TM).
Overall it's a good drive, but, I think next time I'll go back to what I had before, meaning I would get a external FW800 enclosure and be able to use whatever hard drive I want (easy HD upgrades).

[sumique]

a few days ago I ejected my Western digital external drive. Today I connected as always and it doesn't show up in sidebar or in disk utility. What could be my problem?