Western Digital WDXMS1200TN Passport 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-Inch Portable Hard Drive
by Western Digital
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Western DigitalAudio: English (Original Language)
Format: CD
Platform: Mac, Windows
Model: WDXMS1200TN
Color: Glossy black
Product features:
- 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-inch external hard drive ideal storage solution for Mac or PC
- USB connection; requires no external power source;128-bit encryption for data security
- Included Google software for searching and managing files
- Includes USB 2.0 cable and quick install guide
- Measures a 0.59 x 5.1 x 3.14 inches (HxLxW); weighs less than 4 ounces
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 Feet/1.0 Meter)
- AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics Ultra-High-Speed HDMI Cable Braided (9.8 Feet/3.0 Meters)
- AmazonBasics IEEE 1394 4-Pin/6-Pin FireWire Cable (6 Feet/1.8 Meters)
- AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Braided Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Western Digital WDXMS1200TN Passport 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-Inch Portable Hard Drive
Customer Review: Troubleshooting why 120 GB Passport doesn't always work
Summary: 5 Stars
UPDATE - 11/06/07
Just keep noticing others with all sorts of issues that probably are variations of what I troubleshot and resolved early on on the 2 Passports we bought back in August.
I might repeat that anyone USING AC-powered USB hubs that only have the smallest USB connector on them to mate via a cable with the full-sized USB connector on the computer almost guarantees failure - in out experience documented below.
One of the medium-sized (the almost square) USB connector-equipped AC USB hubs also failed to drive either of our 2 Passports.
In the update below, we attributed this smaller connector conpatability to Plug & Play issues. But it could also be that these (less expensive) hubs cannot supply the corrent/voltage required to run thse hard drives.
Or both issues could exist.
Avoiding such small connector AC hubs seems to be the way to avoid all sorts of problems...
UPDATE - 10/31/07
AFter using both 120 GB Passports for about 2 months with no real issues that weren't solveable logically, I had more troubleshooting tips.
Trying to use one of these drives on an AC-powered USB 2.0 hub that uses (computer to hub) the smallest USB connector size (like the one on the Passport under the little rubber cover) may get it apparently recognized, but it doesn't usually work - write errors, read errors, loses drive recognition....
We had several hubs lying around and only those using the full-sized USB connector to the hub from the computer, or the next size down (the nearly square one), actually were able to correctly perform Plug & Play to identify the Passport correctly, followed by no errors in use.
My conclusion was that trying to use the Passports on any AC-powered hub that didn't use at least the medium-sized connector was a waste of time.
And one of these also failed to work.
The best results were when the Passport was plugged (using the short cable provided) into either a laptop or an AC-powered hub that used the largest USB connector from the computer.
Probably the real answer is that most less expensive AC hubs with smaller conputer to hub connectors may not be able to actually successfully perform Plug & Play on large capacity drives... or other complex devices...
We've had no problems or power issues on a notebook, a laptop and multiple hubs following the simple connector rules noted above.
Having bought 2 of the 120 GB Passports, I tried them out separately.
Neither would work plugged into a 6 ft USB extension. Failure to recognize the drive in XP was typical (unknown device). Failure to find sectors was another.
A little troubleshooting found that most (even a hyped up HP workstation)
failed to deliver enough voltage with any cable longer than the ~8 inch supplied USB cable. Using only that cable connected directly to any of our various computers (Averatec notebook, Toshiba laptop, HP workstation, etc.,) had no issues. Connecting to an AC powered hub with the short supplied cable was always OK.
My conclusion about some of the startup problems & possibly the later failures (considering the typical high MTTF of 2.5" sturdy hard drives) is that many may be traced to trying to use Passports by not plugging directly into the computer (or AC powered USB hub) using only the short USB cable supplied.
Failures would be the same for plugging into a NON-AC-powered USB hub.
I converted the format on one from FAT32 to NTFS via the Convert RUN file found in the XP SEARCH HELP, Also formated the other (after copying the SW files off) using the format options from XP's Computer Management screen.
Both drives are tiny, appear sturdy and are fast writing & reading.
Use them to carry data from location to location. Synching one with the other periodically. Tried the backup SW with encryption and decided to go
with simply synching folders with other SW. So the folders are open access.
Always use the short supplied cable as noted above to avoid voltage drop
that probably causes most of the failures noted in these user comments.
Bought two of the double USB power/data cables from the WD web site, plus 2 little soft drawstring pouches. Just in case...
So far so good...
More Western Digital WDXMS1200TN Passport 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-Inch Portable Hard Drive reviews:
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Description of Western Digital WDXMS1200TN Passport 120 GB USB 2.0 2.5-Inch Portable Hard Drive
Fast 5400 RPM 2.5-inch drive performance! Weightsonly 0.2310 lb. Instantly add portable storage for all your business files, music, video, andgames with a Western Digital Passport Portable USB 2.0 Drive. Thishigh-performance, 5400 RPM drive is simple to use, light and easy to carry. WDunderstands the importance of the information on your drive so they've designeda cool, rugged, shock-absorbing case to protect the 2.5-inch WD hard drive andthe data on it. Light and rugged, it s easy to carry and no external power adapter is needed. Comes with sync & encryption and Google software;High-speed, easy-to-use, reliable add-on storage - the portable headquarters foryour digital life. Simply plug in your WD Passport Portable USB Drive to back upand save your valuable digital files; Maximum protection from data losswith a rugged, protective case and highly shock tolerant 2.5-inch hard driveSmall and light. Elegant, energy-absorbing, soft-touch case provides easyhandling Cool-running hard drive and specially designed case make this a cool,safe place for your data Power-conserving design preserves notebook battery lifeProtected by Data Lifeguard Fluid dynamic bearing motor. Carrying important files and e-mail between work and home or on the road, Sharing large files between office and home, between Mac and PC. Backing up your existing notebook hard drive for extra data safety. Easy- Installation is a snap because you don't really "install" this drive; you just plug it in and it's ready to use. There is no CD to install; the included software loads from the drive the first time you plug it in; Smart - Powered by the USB bus, soDigital Cameras and Photo Categories