WD Passport Ultra Shows in my Computer but can not see any files within.

[Berquill]

Hello everyone,

I have been having issues with a WD Passport Ultra recently (it isn't mine but my coworkers), as there are files in it that I need to access and transfer to my own computer. The problem is that when I plug it into my USB 3.0 slot (or any usb slot in that matter), it shows up on my computer with the label " WINDOWS ( E: ) ". When I open it, it is completely empty, however when I looked in properties, there is 91.3 GB of used space. I have spent countless hours searching for people with similar issues but nothing remotely like the problem i've been having. Any ideas/solutions to this issue?

On a side note: I am using Windows 10 but I have the same issue when I plug the driver onto my laptop which is a Windows 8.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

Welcome to the community, Berquill!

I'm sorry to hear about your access issues with the WD My Passport Ultra. I'd recommend you to go to Disk Management in Windows and check how the external HDD is detected there. If you are able to right-click on the volume there, you should try changing the drive letter of the WD My Passport. It might help you resolve the issue and access your files.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Berquill]

Welcome to the community, Berquill!

I'm sorry to hear about your access issues with the WD My Passport Ultra. I'd recommend you to go to Disk Management in Windows and check how the external HDD is detected there. If you are able to right-click on the volume there, you should try changing the drive letter of the WD My Passport. It might help you resolve the issue and access your files.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
SuperSoph_WD

I tried to change the drive letter, however, I am still unable to see any files within the storage device.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

This seems unfortunate! 🙁 What about un-hiding the folders and files? This procedure could, hopefully, make the contents of the drive visible again. I'd also suggest you try to access it from another computer and see how the external WD My Passport will be recognized there.

It might also be a good idea to run the QUICK and EXTENDED tests from WD's Data LifeGuard Diagnostics. Using this utility will help us determine the health and S.M.A.R.T. status of the HDD.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting & Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

 

[Berquill]

This seems unfortunate! 🙁 What about un-hiding the folders and files? This procedure could, hopefully, make the contents of the drive visible again. I'd also suggest you try to access it from another computer and see how the external WD My Passport will be recognized there.

It might also be a good idea to run the QUICK and EXTENDED tests from WD's Data LifeGuard Diagnostics. Using this utility will help us determine the health and S.M.A.R.T. status of the HDD.

Keep me posted with the troubleshooting & Good luck!
SuperSoph_WD

By viewing the hidden folders, I do find some folders, however, it seems like these files are folders are a part of the storage device itself as they are labled as follows:

.fseventsd
.Spotlight-V100
.Trashes
FOUND.000
Recycle Bin
System Volume Information
._.Trashes

I ran the quick and extended tests , both seemed to have passed according to the "SMART status", so I don't think the storage device's health is the cause of this issue.

As I said before, I did plug it into my laptop to see what will happen, yet I was provided with the same issue of not seeing my files. My laptop runs Windows 8 which is supposedly very compatible with this device according to the label on the box that it was sold with.

Also, when I was looking through the other posts, some representatives did suggest accessing a setup file within the device. I was not able to find the file name in my storage device but I was wondering if that had a huge part to play in accessing my files. This device was just lent to me so I do not know if there is some setup procedure that I missed that could be causing this.

 

[SuperSoph_WD]

By viewing the hidden folders, I do find some folders, however, it seems like these files are folders are a part of the storage device itself as they are labled as follows:

.fseventsd
.Spotlight-V100
.Trashes
FOUND.000
Recycle Bin
System Volume Information
._.Trashes

I ran the quick and extended tests , both seemed to have passed according to the "SMART status", so I don't think the storage device's health is the cause of this issue.

As I said before, I did plug it into my laptop to see what will happen, yet I was provided with the same issue of not seeing my files. My laptop runs Windows 8 which is supposedly very compatible with this device according to the label on the box that it was sold with.

Also, when I was looking through the other posts, some representatives did suggest accessing a setup file within the device. I was not able to find the file name in my storage device but I was wondering if that had a huge part to play in accessing my files. This device was just lent to me so I do not know if there is some setup procedure that I missed that could be causing this.

Hey there again, Berquill!

I'm sorry for the late reply. These folder names look a bit concerning, though. I'd suggest you run some antivirus/malware software scans and make sure your external WD My Passport drive is not infected. You can check some of the antivirus tutorials from the community as well. Another thing you should try is reinstalling the USB external drive as a device from Device Manager. It might help you recognize it properly after you reboot the system. Have you set up any password or security using the WD Drive utilities? It could also explain why you are unable to view the files.

Keep me posted.
SuperSoph_WD