read a locked WD My Passport Essential

[Cycou]

Short story: I have a USB WD My Passport Essential 500GB, (with hardware encryption) that is asking me a password (that I never sat up). So I cannot read my files.

Long story: My girlfriend has put all her photos on a single USB hard drive (WD My Passport Essential 500GB) bad idea! She never used the password encryption option, but due to a bad USB cable connection, now the drive thinks a password is activated and requires one. So impossible to access the data (except the VirtualCD partition that allows to setup the WD smartware software).




After reading about this issue on the internet, I did not find any real solution but in summary here were I am:

[*] The drive: It has a built-in USB connector, and inboard chip to encrypt/decrypt data. It seems that it always write encrypted data, but simply decrypt automatically the data when no password set. In my case it thinks a password is set and so doesn't decrypt data.
[*] WD forums and hotline seems useless in the case of an accidentally locked drive.
[*] Getdataback sees the drive but get read error at each access (due to the chip not decrypting I guess)

[*] "Test disk" gets read error while trying to read the partition table

[*] The VirtualCD partition does appear in windows and work properly, the drive spins and does normal sound when accessing files in it.

Conclusion it seems that the drive works well, but it accidentally locked so now I cannot read any data (as they were by *default* encrypted (stupid WD)).

[*] I have and other exact same WD 500GB external drive, working properly and not locked.

So I was wondering if I could read my data by swapping PCB of the two drives?
The PCB of the not-locked drive contains the chip to decrypt and has the status "not locked", so if I put it on the locked drive, will it be able to read it?
the cons: if for two exact same drive, the default encryption (when you do not set a password) does not use the same encrypting key, swapping PCB wont work as it will try to read data encrypted with a different key.

What do you think?
(I read some thread in this forum of similar issue but in the end no conclusions, did somebody managed to do it?)

[buster80]

Speak to pcimage on the forum, he has worked out a way to do these

Andy

[dmarques]

Hi,

Replacing the PCB will not help you on this case, as the data will still be encrypted with the new PCB.
On the patient PCB you also have encryption chips, but the problems is not on the chips, but on the encryption keys.

You should take the drive to a pro, so that he could analyze it at a lower level, and find out if the keys are still in place.

[Cycou]

I do understand that the data is encrypted. But because I did not sat up any encryption key, it must be using some sort of WD default encryption key. So if there is such a "default key" it might be the same default key on the other PCB. And that other PCB also has the instruction in its chip "no password, decrypt all".

But all this is just guessing (or hopping), based on some read over the internet, so it might not be the case at all. For now I need to by the 6 star pan screwdriver to remove the PCB.

I did check prices of a local pro, unfortunately they are all like 80€ for diagnostic, and around 800€++ for recovery in a such case. So totally out of reach for my girlfriend. Therefore I want to see if there is a DIY solution.

[Cycou]

Speak to pcimage on the forum, he has worked out a way to do these
Andy

Thanks for the tip, but it seems I'm too new to send a PM, I wonder how many post I need to unlock that feature.

[unknown]

Most likely its a locked drive not an encrypted.
After you plug the drive into your machine, has it show a message window asking for password ?

[Cycou]

Yes it does ask me for a password (I have the WD smartware software on my computer). But as I never sat up a password, it seems that it did accidentally locked it self (I assume because of a dodgy usb cable).

I am also referring the fact that the disk is encrypted, because I read that those WD disk are by default using encryption and so hard to recover data.

[unknown]

Yes it does ask me for a password (I have the WD smartware software on my computer). But as I never sat up a password, it seems that it did accidentally locked it self (I assume because of a dodgy usb cable).

Yes thats right.
IMHO this case is beyond user abilities. You have to contact the nearest pro to help you. PCimage is your friend, he has a very good skills and reputation and he can do this for you for a reasonable price.

Good luck.

[Cycou]

So finally I got the right tools to swap the PCB between the two disk.
And it's not event that the encryption key is not the same in each rom, but the disks were powered and spinning but nothing at all detected on the computer. And the rev number on the chips seems a bit different event if it is the same layout.

So this is end of the story, no way I can recover the data. (Those photos were not worth the cost of a pro).

Conclusion:
- External HardDrive with encryption system are EVIL, 99% people don't use the feature, and it makes recovery almost impossible (despite not using the feature).
- WD mypassport firmware seem easy to be corrupted, I've read other testimonies of people having the drive reported as "locked" because of loose usb connection
- Advise your friends to NOT buy hard drive with encryption/protection, they won't need it and it's a pain when it goes wrong.

[SuperTech-IT]

Yes, unfortunately, Western Digital's stand on the issue is that
"Although we have made it deliberately 10X easier for you to lose access to your data, we not only will not help you in regaining that access, we will continue to make it as hard as possible for you to do so" (I am paraphrasing, not quoting).

Lets say the USB to SATA interface goes out. It's the board that does the encryption.
Removing the drive an putting it in a SATA dock or direct to a motherboard without the converter interface results in an unreadable drive because it's ALWAYS encrypted.
If you can get your hands on another interface on ebay - great- YOU are all fixed up.
BUT:
the password is stored somewhere on the drive - my guess is a normally unreachable sector.
If this sector gets corrupted, either your password won't work, or your blank password is now no longer blank.
WD has no mechanism for blanking this password sector, nor do they seem to have any intention of making one.
They also have no mechanism for retrieving your password, or generating a "master" password based on the drive serial number etc. the way that laptop manufacturers like DELL do if you lose your laptop password, and prove ownership of the laptop.
DELL did it right - WD doesn't care if you lose your data. They seem to think we will all be stupid enough to buy another drive if we lose our password, or if it becomes corrupt. I think they will lose customers left, right and centre because of this practice.
They don't even offer a utility to mount a drive with a blank password onto a standard SATA interface in case the interface gets damaged.
So - you can swap all the boards you want - unless you can rewrite the firmware to bypass the password checking routine completely, any boards you put on will read the password sector, and demand the password before decrypting the drive for you.
I think it's time to boycott the purchase of all Western Digital external drives until they rectify this situation, and create a way for a customer that can prove ownership of their drive to regain access to data on otherwise working hardware.
Yes, drive failures happen - but even a drive with a bad interface or a head that has fallen off can be recovered.
But if the data you recover is encrypted, you still have no access to it. Period. And Western Digital doesn't care.
They won't even sell you a USB to SATA interface board to you - and in fact also won't replace yours if it's under warranty. They will only replace the unit ensuring that your data is gone. Now that is really sad because in the case of a bad USB interface board, they COULD save your data - however they simply REFUSE to do so.
That's not just being unhelpful, that is blatantly telling us that our data doesn't matter to them whatsoever, and they will not take even the simplest steps that they COULD do in order to help us in these situations.
People, I say to the hundreds of thousands of you (or even millions) that until WD changes their ways, we simply boycott them and choose a different manufacturer for ALL our drives, not just the external ones!

[ShaneWard]

its completely pointless the way they encrypt the data by using the bridge board and hard drive. If the drive was stolen, they would take the whole lot, and still get data off... I don't understand why they encrypt data this way...

It would be more useful to make a USB cable that will automatically encrypt your data to the drive and a peace of software to enter the password and read data off.

[BlackST]

If you loose the keys it's not the door maker fault, neither if your key breaks in. Drives do fail anytime anyway so you should always have a B plan , maybe B stands for backup.
Instead of whining and talking about boycotting a certain brand (they are so afraid... ) and spending time in forums waiting for someone else, why not invest some time in RE and finding solutions to solve this WD issue, if it is so obnoxious , alone or teamwork ?
P. S. There are solutions, just in case. The problem is that you have to pay someone, exactly like when you need a locksmith to regain access to your home or open a safebox when the lock has failed. Didn't notice any need for "class actions" about it...

[DR-Kiev]

its completely pointless the way they encrypt the data by using the bridge board and hard drive. If the drive was stolen, they would take the whole lot, and still get data off... I don't understand why they encrypt data this way...

Answer is very simple.
This way (when data always encrypted) you can easy change user keys to lock data on this drive without rewriting data-space each time .

2 Topicstarter
If user password somehow appeared without user (due Fw bug or not good hdd condition), there is still solution present ( to restore data), of cource if you didn't do many stupid moves like trying other pcb or so .

[SuperTech-IT]

It's easy to say don't blame the locksmith for losing your key -
but what happens here is that someone comes to your house an installs a lock that you have no key for.
Then the lock manufacturer says "We can unlock your door, but it's going to cost $800"
If that happened in any other business, it would be deemed extortion and illegal practice.
Here's basically what WD does.
They sell you a safe - and that safe comes with a safe manager.
Anything you want put in the safe, you give to the safe manager.
The manager uses his combination to open the safe, looks in the password folder that's inside, and if the folder is empty, he sores your data.
Same thing if you ask him for your data. He opens the safe, checks for a password, and gives you the data if there isn't one.

The problem is, if the safe manager dies.
The safe is still locked, and you have no clue what the combination is. You can't get your data.
If you get another safe manager that went to the same training course, he'll know the default combination, and you're back in business.

BUT - if a random file falls into the password folder, he opens the safe, finds the "password" in the folder, asks you for the password, then denies you access to your files.
Even if you get another safe manager, he's going to open the same file and still deny you access to your files.
I find this completely unacceptable.
If I want the safe to be left unlocked so I can use it just as a filing cabinet, I should be able to fire the safe manager and just put stuff in and out as I please, and get a safe manager later if I wish, and then fire him later on is I wish to do so down the road.

[HaQue]

Which is why, for at least the last 15 YEARS or so, we have been banging on about backing up properly.

I mean, you all know it, you have all heard it, but does anyone listen.. no, until a failure.

How many posts have you seen where the poster says "I know I should have backed up"?

It is like driving drunk, or your mum saying dont run around corners, or getting fined for speeding.. etc etc etc..

You cant tell me that ANYONE believes that a flash drive or a Hard disk is made so well that there is no possibility of a failure.. or even that they think themselves so wonderfully balanced and alert that they would never drop or knock a drive? Or they can garauntee that someone else wont damage it, or a power spike, or x x x...??????

And the one that gets me, is AFTER I RECOVER from someones stupidity "accidental format" "copying files over a camera card without taking the old ones off" or whatever.. a WEEK Later I ask if they have backed up their stuff and they laugh and say "yeah I really should do that but it is H A R DD"

You should be thankful that compaies actually think of securing your files, or should WD be like the router manufactures and make the default password admin/admin so that when you implement the thing at home you can get your data stolen?

People need to get with the times, realise that storage media is just as shitty as anything else and take some care and responsibility for their own castle.

Dammnit

[Doomer]

I find this completely unacceptable.

Do you have a better solution?

[Kdevries2011]

Hi everyone!

I have a WD My Passport. It is currently locked and doesn't even allow me to have the chance to enter a password but I never set up a password and have been using it for 2 years just fine. It was working fine until the cable that connected it got bumped. I haven't been able to open it since. I didn't even know it was locked till I opened the folders and there was a unlock application. I clicked on it curiously and it said all my attempts to enter have been used up and the only way to open it was either to reset it or power down and enter correct password. If anyone one knows how I can get thins fixed I have a lot of things on there and was in the processes of making a backup for it incase this happened and my luck it happens right before.

-Kim

[DR-Kiev]

Hi everyone!

I have a WD My Passport. It is currently locked and doesn't even allow me to have the chance to enter a password but I never set up a password and have been using it for 2 years just fine. It was working fine until the cable that connected it got bumped. I haven't been able to open it since. I didn't even know it was locked till I opened the folders and there was a unlock application. I clicked on it curiously and it said all my attempts to enter have been used up and the only way to open it was either to reset it or power down and enter correct password. If anyone one knows how I can get thins fixed I have a lot of things on there and was in the processes of making a backup for it incase this happened and my luck it happens right before.

-Kim

You need special knowledge and special equipment which cost a lot $.
If your data is worth something better use external help.

[lepapuu]

Hello,

This is old topic but I've encountered same problem as OP. My little brother managed to somehow damage the cable and now my HD thinks it's password protected but it isnt. If for now someone have worked out a solution for this I'd appreciate if you could share this with me.

Thanks in advance,
Sander

[moon-f]

And I have the same problem Suddenly the password started showing as invalid and I know that this is the correct password. All my information is there If someone can help, this will be greatly appreciated.