Problems with WD Passport Drive in MBP

[Bobioden]

I just ordered a 320gb WD Passport Elite that I plan on using the drive in my MBP. I have not heard of any problems until this week, where a link to a site was posted warning against WD drives in the MB/MBP. I was wondering if anyone is experiencing any problems with theirs. I am more interested in the drives taken from a WD external.

Link to article.
http://www.macspecialist.org/content/articles/macbook_pro_owners_beware/

 

[otispunkmeyer]

I just ordered a 320gb WD Passport Elite that I plan on using the drive in my MBP. I have not heard of any problems until this week, where a link to a site was posted warning against WD drives in the MB/MBP. I was wondering if anyone is experiencing any problems with theirs. I am more interested in the drives taken from a WD external.

well it should be ok, im not sure though.... i think the pass port drive doesnt have a free-fall sensor so it shouldnt mess with the macs own free fall sensor.

but you should have just bought the OEM drive. its the same capacity, 7200rpm and isnt crippled with a 2MB cache, the OEM drive has the full and proper 8MB cache.

basically the model you want is the WD3200BEKT

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp... 7200RPM SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD3200BEKT)

it doesnt have a free fall sensor, so works perfectly with the mac

 

[Bobioden]

but you should have just bought the OEM drive. its the same capacity, 7200rpm and isnt crippled with a 2MB cache, the OEM drive has the full and proper 8MB cache.

From what I have read, WD does not make any 320gb drives with only 2mb cache. The Scorpio's which are in the Passport are either 8mb or 16mb.

My concern is the free fall sensor which the article states causes Kernel Panics in the MBP.

The reason for buying the Passport is so I can use the enclosure for the hard drive I take out of my MBP. I also got the drive at a price I couldn't pass up.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

well ive heard the contrary, but i cant confirm anything so i wont say anymore on that. its just what i read in another thread here

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/503430/

maybe when u crack it open you could have a look and use the serial number to check whethers theres a shock sensor on there too.

if its the same drive as you can buy on its own then it should be something like WD3200BEKT

 

[Bobioden]

Here is the thread I got the info on the 8mb or 16mb in the 320 gb drives. Posts #21 and #22.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/440783/

Hopefully this info is correct. I certainly hope the cache is bigger than 2mb.

 

[Bobioden]

My 320gb Passport won't arrive until tomorrow. Curiosity got the best of me this morning, and I was wondering what drive was inside my Passport Elite 250gb drive. Since I was going to have to open the 320 drive I figured I would practice on the 250. A small screwdriver is all that is need to pop the top and bottom of the U shaped case apart, and the drive holder just slides right out.

What I found was a Scorpio Model: WD2500BEVS which on their site is this drive with a 8mb buffer.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=314


Hopefully the 320 drive will be the WD3200BEVT.