[SOLVED] Questions about WD Elements and MyBook ?

[mario569]

Hi i have those questions:

1-what is the différence between mybook orange box and the green box?
2-Are mybook 8tb and wd elements 12 tb helium filled?
3-Can i use a wd mybook outside of its enclosure in another computer and read data from it if no password is set , or does the hardware encryption make it impossible?

thanks!

 

[velocityg4]

1. Only reference I found for Orange box is Office edition. Usually the differences in models is just something like included software, warranty length or some other perk. Sometimes it's just packaging for different markets or even different resellers. Like Best Buy getting their own edition.
2. This varies. The drives are usually white label, meaning WD just sticks whatever drive is currently pumping off the assembly line for data centers into the MyBooks and Elements. Probably cheaper than running a line specifically for the large external USB drives. I've come across mentions of helium and regular air filled models and 256MB or 512MB cache. Which seems to support that WD just grabs whatever is at hand and puts a different PCB on it during the final assembly.
3. This'll kill your warranty.

A. If no password is set. From what I found briefly. It is possible to recover the key and read the information. But it is well beyond most people. If a password is set. Then you can't. I won't go into the how or link it. Since that probably breaks the forums password policy. This is something that no thief is going to bother with nor something random. It would have to be someone specifically targeting you and stealing the drive for valuable information to be worth the effort. If this is a realistic concern. You should be setting a password, a good one.
B. A lot of these drives are missing the center mount hole. Making them a pain to use in many cases. If you're just looking for a cheap internal replacement.
C. WD USB drives often require a power pin mod to work outside their enclosures. Since they figured out people were buying externals for less and breaking them open. Really the last two points is WD being a douchebag.

 

[fzabkar]

AIUI, Elements are not encrypted whereas My Books are.

Note that these drives use SATA power pin #3 as a Power Disable pin. If your PC puts 3.3V on this pin, the drive won't spin up. You would need to tape over this pin, or cut the corresponding wire in the power cable.