
Using the Drive Erase FunctionUsing the Drive Erase Function
To erase your drive when it is not locked:
1. Click
Start
>
All Programs > Western Digital > WD Apps > WD Drive Utilities
to display
the WD Drive Utilities screen.
2. If you have more than one supported drive connected to your computer, select
the one that you want to erase.
3. On the WD Drive Utilities screen, click
Drive Erase
to display the drive erase
dialog.
4. On the drive erase dialog:
a. If you want to change the volume name, type over the name in the Volume
Name box.
b. Read the explanation of the loss of data if you erase your drive. If you want to
save any of the data that is on the drive, back it up to another device before
continuing with the drive erase.
c. Click the
I understand...
check box to signify that you accept the risk and
activate the Erase Drive button.
d. Click
Erase Drive
.
Go to
and see Knowledge Base answer ID 7 for
information about downloading and restoring the WD software on your
My Passport drive.
Note:
Erasing your drive also removes your password. If you used a password to protect
your drive, you will need to re-create it after restoring the WD software. (See
.)
Using Five Invalid Passwords
When you have forgotten or lost your password, you can erase the drive by entering
five
invalid passwords on the Unlock Drive dialog. See:
▪
With the WD Security or WD Drive Utilities Software
▪
With the WD Drive Unlock Utility
1. On the Unlock Drive dialog, make
five
attempts to unlock the drive by:
a. Typing a password in the Password box.
b. Clicking Unlock Drive.
2. Entering the
fifth
invalid password displays a too many password attempts
dialog, depending on the application you used to open the Unlock Drive dialog:
▪
Using the WD Security or WD Drive Utilities software
▪
Using the WD Drive Unlock utility
3. To erase your drive:
a. If you are using the WD Security or WD Drive Utilities software and you want
to change the volume name, type over the name in the Volume Name box.
b. Read the explanation about erasing all of the data on the drive and select the
I understand check box to indicate that you accept the risk and activate the
Erase Drive button.
c. Click Erase Drive.
Managing and Customizing the Drive
My Passport
™
User Manual
22