Hi,
I'm a fresh one here, this is my 1st post, so please don't be rude... I'm italian also, and my english it's very bad, so please excuse me in advance. So, let's go!
I have a WD MyBook 1TB external that I use connected to a Dvico TViX 6500 media player (the TViX also have an internal 1TB disc).
It is formatted in NTFS using Tuxera because I have Macs.
No problems for over 2 years, but in the last months the USB port becomes weak, I had to manage to make the cable correctly plugged and the disk working. Two days ago it broken completely.
I decide to disassemble the MyBook and put the disk on a case I already have, so I did it.
When I restart the disc, my Mac says he needs to be formatted! Argh!
But, don't panic. I've read something about encryption, so I have all the backups I need.
I format the disc in NTFS, plug into my Mac, start copying some files, then make a try if everything was ok connecting on my TViX.
Nope.
The TViX shows the disk and the files correctly, but when I try to play them all results in an error.
MKV playing results in skipping files and returns back to the list; mp4 and avi reports "format not supported or corrupted files".
I know the files are ok, I've watched them few days ago, so I try to format again the disc using the same old Mac (OS, utility, everything) I used the last time I did it. I thought (hoped) it could was an incompatibility of the new Tuxera release.
Nope again.
I made some tries, then I found the way.
I've put back the little board that converts the sata port in USB together with the power plug, formatted it again (it no more recognize that is already formatted in NTFS), copied files, plugged on the TViX and voilà, everything works.
You'll say "Ok, so what's the problem?"
The problem is that the USB port needs to be weld and there are no space and point to do it safely. And I'm not able to do it. And the second problem is that if also I can find a welder, then the disk and the board are so big that I can't find a new case. And a case with an open side to let me plug the usb and the power plug.
So, here's the question: there is something I do wrong with the software part? I need to do something before formatting in NTFS or later?
Because it's pretty sure there is a sort of control on the little board that cause this kind of problems when is detached.

Hope someone can helps me and excuse me again if I was not quite clear...

Thanks in advance, bye!

Just some thoughts:

Not sure why it would only work well with the WD USB PCB installed. But, one option, buy another WD USB PCB. Look for the number on the board (something like "2060-710202-000 REV A" or similar). If you buy the same model on eBay, it should work. Or, maybe try a different dock than the one you tried first. Maybe it is the problem? If you have a Mac Pro, try installing the drive in an internal SATA slot. Also, perhaps your DVR has an option to format the drive (perhaps this would work better, even though it doesn't sound like a formatting problem).

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Easiest thing is take drive to electronics shop and get a new/temporary USB soldered on. I have done quite a few and it is relatively straightforward soldering under a microscope if you are very careful.
saves stuffing it up more with trying different things willy nilly.

Hi bcometa,
thank you for you answer! I need another dock in order to try.
The disk works well in the dock if connected to my iMac and MacPro. I also tried in a raid case I have, but same problem, the files can be played by the media player. The media player can format the drive, otherwise I've never tried it. As usual I formatted the drive I want to use on my Mac and simply plug to the media player and they works. I'll give it a try.
Thank you again!

Hi HaQue,
many thanks for your help. Yes this can be a good answer for soldering the USB port.
But it can't solve that I need a case very big and with an opened side to show the USB and the power port.
Very ugly…!

I am not sure why it cant be disassembled, fixed and reassembled. Maybe post some pictures. Or an electronics shop should be able to do all of it for you. Unless Im missing something, I don't see the issue.. cheers

Yes you're right, you haven't missed nothing, it's me!!!
I forgot to mention that I throw away the case, 'cause I was sure I can use the other one.
Ok, I'm waiting all your laughs.

Anyway,
this disk seems to works correctly connected to my Macs in the case I already have, formatted both in NTFS or Mac. It gives problems only when playing with the media player.
So I can use it as an external disk (the more you have, the better) and buy a new one for the player.
But can I be sure it works without troubles?
Does anyone experimenting a disassembled Mybook used as an internal or external disk?

You should have no problem with disassembled bare SATA drive, after reformatting it, to use an internal/external drive.

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