WD My Passport Encryption Key

[secog]

Hi hard drivers,

I have searched for nearly a whole day and not found the answer.

Where are the encryption keys stored for these drives? My Drive is a 1TB My Passport Essentials but I did not set a password.

Many thanks!

PS:
drive never dropped;
not detected by any bios (tried several PCs);
spins fine;
no clicking or funny noises;
no obvious damage to PCB;
USB connector seems fine (checked continuity with MM);
LED stays solid - no blinking;
no beeps;
was thinking to make a SATA connection direct to board.

[pcimage]

spins fine;
no clicking or funny noises;
no obvious damage to PCB;
USB connector seems fine (checked continuity with MM);
LED stays solid - no blinking;
no beeps;.

You probably have a fw issue with your drive, or media degradation/damage.

So even if your were to convert to SATA, you'd probably be no further forward.

Even if you did manage to get it to ID via SATA, you'd still have the FW (definitely NOT DIY) and/or media issues to contend with. Then and only then would you need to worry about encryption

If data is not that important and you accept the risks of DIY, then there are posts on this firm showing the connection points to make the SATA conversion.

Good luck

[secog]

Hi

Thank you for the quick reply PCImage!

Already have SATA figured out. Just need to borrow a soldering iron, magnifying lens and a PC with SATA lol. Those little capacitors must have been assembled by a team of sharpshooting amoeba, they are tiny!

Anyone manage to backup U12 without desoldering? I just found a handy dandy little "test clip":

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151058711397

Just trying to figure out if its the correct pin pitch etc.

Thanks again!

[mr_spokk]

Hi

Thank you for the quick reply PCImage!

Already have SATA figured out. Just need to borrow a soldering iron, magnifying lens and a PC with SATA lol. Those little capacitors must have been assembled by a team of sharpshooting amoeba, they are tiny!

Anyone manage to backup U12 without desoldering? I just found a handy dandy little "test clip":

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151058711397

Just trying to figure out if its the correct pin pitch etc.

Thanks again!

Test clip should work fine...but only with the bigger 8 legged soic...the smaller package you need to transfer.

[michael chiklis]

Of course you need an eprom programmer to read and write the rom, or use an hot air soldering station to physically transfer the rom chip

[secog]

Thank you for the tips, chaps!

Found this little baby on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-MiniPro-T ... 1179356482 for a little over £30. Looking around for alternatives but I think I can have all sorts of fun and games with it so its looking very tasty!

Thank you!