I've got a Western Digital Passport Essential WDBACX00BBK that Works fine, computer gives it a drive letter, but can see any data on it. I've got about 450 gig on it that I need to access. I have never set up a password on it.
Computer tell me to format it.
Are those the symptoms of this same encryption problem?
who has had the best luck in fixing these? Where should I send it? How much will it cost?

THANKS!!!

Can you view data using some recovery software?

@whitgallman:

I guess you mean that you "can't" see the data on it. In that case, I disagree with your comment that it is "working fine"

IMHO this does not sound like an ecryption-related issue, since one drive letter is being recognised by Windows (unless that drive letter is really the VCD drive). Windows reporting a hard disk drive letter on this drive, should mean that the MBR is valid. If the drive was in front of me, the first thing I'd do would be to look at the MBR in a hex editor.

If the MBR looks sensible (a quick check if you're unfamiliar with the MBR, is whether that sector ends in hex 55 AA) then the problem needs further diagnosis, but is unlikely to be related to the encryption, IMHO. Depending on your skill, experience, and the value of the data, you have to decide whether to take the risks of further DIY, or to contact a DR company.

Did the drive get dropped or suffer any other unusual event, between the last time it was working, and the first time it had this problem?

Thanks for your reply!!!
I tried Kroll On Line and worked with their tech on the phone who said my problem was not fixable w/ software.
I could not remember having dropped it at all. it worked well on my work computer and I brought it home with me during vacation and it has not worked since, not even back at work. (Maybe it was in my back pocket during the alien abduction I suffered. But it should handle that. The WD on line tech sent me another cable with no success.
You can feel the drive spin inside and the little LED light comes on and cycles as expected. The computer assigns a drive letter to it but then says it needs formating.
I've since been asked by WD to send it to Data Mechanix in Irvine, CA so they can disect it. (on their tab so I did.
I'll report back what they find.

THANKS!!!
Whit Gallman

Thanks for the info. It's interesting (but at this point, does not prove a root cause, and could be coincidental) that the difference between a time when it was working, and when it was not working, was transportation.

Unfortunately, without seeing the MBR as a starting point, I can't assist further.

Good luck!