Portable Hard Drive User Manual My Passport Air User Manual External Portable ® My Passport Air™
WD Service and Support Should you encounter any problem, please give us an opportunity to address it before returning this product. Most technical support questions can be answered through our knowledge base or email support service at http://support.wdc.com. If the answer is not available or if you prefer, please contact WD® at the best telephone number shown below. Your product includes 30 days of free telephone support during the warranty period.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Table of Contents WD Service and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii Accessing Online Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii Contacting WD Technical Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii 1 About Your WD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL A Compliance and Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Regulatory Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 FCC Class B Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 ICES/NMB-003 Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 11 About Your WD Drive Welcome to your My Passport® Air™ portable hard drive for Mac users who need to take their creative life on the road.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Kit Contents As shown in Figure 1, your My Passport Air portable hard drive kit includes the following: • My Passport Air portable hard drive, with the WD Security and WD Drive Utilities software • USB 3.0 cable • Quick Install Guide USB 3.0 Cable My Passport Air Portable Hard Drive Quick Install Guide Figure 1. My Passport Air Drive Kit Contents Optional Accessories For information about optional accessories for WD products, visit: US http://www.shopwd.com or http://www.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Disk Drive Format Your My Passport Air drive is formatted as a single HFS+J partition for compatibility with Mac OS X operating systems. If you want to use the drive with a Windows computer, see “Reformatting the Drive” on page 28 and “Troubleshooting” on page 29. Physical Description As shown in Figure 2, the My Passport Air drive has: • Power/Activity LED • A USB 3.0 interface port USB 3.0 Interface Port Power/Activity LED Figure 2.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Handling Precautions WD products are precision instruments and must be handled with care during unpacking and installation. Rough handling, shock, or vibration can damaged drives. Always observe the following precautions when unpacking and using your external storage product: • Do not drop or jolt the drive. • Do not move the drive during activity.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 12 Connecting the Drive and Getting Started This chapter provides instructions for connecting the drive to your computer and installing the WD software. It includes the following topics: Connecting the Drive Enhancing Performance with WD +TURBO Installing the WD Security Software Installing the WD Drive Utilities Software Connecting the Drive 1. Turn on your computer. 2. Connect the My Passport drive to your computer as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 3. Verify that the My Passport drive appears under DEVICES in the Sidebar area of your Finder display: Note: If the External disks check box is selected on your Finder Preferences dialog, the My Passport icon displays on your desktop: 4.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 6. On Lion or Mountain Lion: IF you . . . want to use the drive with the Time Machine software, THEN . . . Do not Click Don’t Use and skip to step 8 . Do Proceed to step a. a. If you want to create a password to secure your backup files, select the Encrypt Backup Disk check box. b. Click Use as Backup Disk. c. If you selected the Encrypt Backup Disk check box at step a, complete the backup password dialog that displays: d. Click Encrypt Disk. 7.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 2. Double-click the Extras folder on the screen that displays: 3. Double-click the WD +TURBO Installer application: 4. Click Install on the WD +TURBO Driver Installer screen: 5. Read the license agreement and click Accept to continue. 6. A message informs you that installing the drivers requires you to restart your computer to make them active: Click Yes to continue.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 7. Type the password that you normally use to access the computer in the Password box and click OK: 8. When the installation completes, click Yes to restart the computer: 9. After the computer restarts, the My Passport icon on the desktop looks like this Your My Passport drive is now ready to use as an enhanced-performance external storage device. You can enhance its capabilities by installing the WD Security and WD Drive Utilities software that is also on the drive.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 2. Drag the WD Security application to the alias Applications folder on the screen that displays: 3. In the alias Applications folder, double-click the WD Security application. 4. Read the license agreement and click Accept to continue and display the WD Security screen: 5. See “Locking and Unlocking the Drive” on page 13.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Installing the WD Drive Utilities Software To install the WD Drive Utilities software: 1. Double-click the My Passport icon, and then double-click the .dmg file on the screen that displays: 2. Drag the WD Drive Utilities application to the alias Applications folder on the screen that displays: 3. In the alias Applications folder, double-click the WD Drive Utilities application.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 4. Read the license agreement and click Accept to continue and display the WD Drive Utilities screen: 5. See “Managing and Customizing the Drive” on page 19.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 13 Locking and Unlocking the Drive This chapter includes the following topics: Password Protecting the Drive Unlocking the Drive Changing Your Password Turning Off the Drive Lock Feature Password Protecting the Drive You should password protect your drive if you are worried that someone else will gain access to your drive and you do not want them to see your files on the drive. CAUTION! The WD Security software uses your password to electronically lock and unlock your drive.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 4. Retype your password in the Verify password box. 5. Type a hint to help remember your password in the Password hint box. 6. Select the Enable auto unlock for user: check box if you want the WD Security software to remember your password for the selected drive on this computer.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL The WD Unlocker VCD provides the WD Drive Unlock utility that you can use to unlock the drive. Or you can use either the WD Security or the WD Drive Utilities software to unlock the drive.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Unlocking the Drive with the WD Drive Unlock Utility Whenever you connect your password-protected drive to a computer that does not have the WD Security or WD Drive Utilities software installed, you can use the WD Drive Unlock utility to unlock the drive there. The Drive Unlock utility is on a virtual CD (VCD) drive that appears on your desktop display. To unlock the drive: 1. Double-click the WD Unlocker VCD icon on your desktop: 2.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL c. Click Unlock Drive. d. At the Your drive is now unlocked prompt, click Exit to close the WD Drive Unlock utility screen. Changing Your Password To change your password: 1. Click Go > Applications > WD Security to display the WD Security screen, Change Security dialog: 2. If you have more than one supported My Passport drive connected to your computer, select the one with the password that you want to change. 3. Type your current password in the Password box. 4.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Turning Off the Drive Lock Feature To remove password protection from your drive: 1. Click Go > Applications > WD Security to display the WD Security screen, Change Security dialog: 2. If you have more than one supported My Passport drive connected to your computer, select the one that you want to remove password protection from. 3. Type your password in the Password box. 4. Select the Remove security option. 5. Click Update Security Settings.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 14 Managing and Customizing the Drive This chapter includes the following topics: Checking Drive Health Setting the Drive Sleep Timer Erasing the Drive Registering the Drive Safely Dismounting the Drive The WD Drive Utilities software (see Figure 4) makes it easy for you to manage and customize your drive for the best possible performance: • Diagnostics—Run diagnostics and status checks to make sure your drive is working properly.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL On the WD Drive Utilities screen: IF you want to . . . THEN click . . . AND see . . . Run drive diagnostics and status checks, Diagnostics “Checking Drive Health” in the next section. Specify an inactive time interval to turn off your drive, Sleep Timer “Setting the Drive Sleep Timer” on page 21. Erase your drive so you can retrieve the space and start over, Drive Erase “Erasing the Drive” on page 22.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 3. Click Diagnostics to display the Diagnostics dialog: 4. On the Diagnostics dialog, click the button for the test that you want to run: • S.M.A.R.T. Status • Quick Drive Test • Complete Drive Test Setting the Drive Sleep Timer The drive sleep timer turns off the power to your drive after a certain period of inactivity to conserve power and minimize long-term wear on the drive. To set the inactivity period for the drive: 1.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 4. On the Sleep Timer dialog: a. In the Sleep Timer box, select the inactivity time interval at which you want to turn off the drive. b. Click Set Timer. Erasing the Drive CAUTION! Erasing your drive permanently deletes all of the data on the drive. Always make sure that you no longer need any of the data on your drive before erasing it. Note: Erasing your drive also deletes the WD software and all of the support files, utilities, and user manual files.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 3. Click Drive Erase to display the Drive Erase dialog: 4. On the Drive Erase dialog: a. If you want to change the name of the volume, type over the name in the Volume Name box. b. Select the option to specify the volume file format: • HFS+J • ExFAT c. Read the warning about the loss of data if you erase your drive. d. Click the I understand check box to signify that you accept the risk. e. Click Erase Drive. After the drive erase operation completes, go to http://support.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Using the WD Drive Unlock Utility To erase your My Passport when the drive is locked and you have forgotten or lost your password: 1. Double-click the WD Unlocker virtual CD icon on your desktop: 2. Double-click the WD Drive Unlock application on the screen that displays: The WD Drive Unlock utility screen displays: 3. Make five attempts to unlock the drive by: a. Typing a password in the Password box. b. Clicking Unlock Drive.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 4. The fifth invalid password attempt displays the too many password attempts prompt: 5. Click Erase Drive to display a warning about erasing all of the data on the drive: 6. Read the warning and select the I understand check box to signify that you accept the risk. 7. Click Erase.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL After the drive erase operation completes, go to http://support.wdc.com and see Knowledge Base answer ID 7 for information about downloading and restoring the WD software and disk image on your My Passport drive. Note: Erasing your drive also removes your password. If you still want to use a password to protect your drive, you will need to re-create it after restoring the WD software and disk image. (See “Password Protecting the Drive” on page 13.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL e. Select or clear the Yes, I want to receive communication... check box to specify whether you want to receive notifications about software updates, product enhancements, and price discount opportunities. f. Click Register Drive. Safely Dismounting the Drive CAUTION! To prevent data loss, close all active windows and applications before shutting down or disconnecting the drive. Use the My Passport icon to safely dismount the drive: 1.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 15 Using the Drive with Windows The My Passport drive is formatted as a single HFS+J partition for compatibility with Mac OS X operating systems. To use the drive on Windows computers, you must reformat it to a single NTFS partition. This chapter includes the following topics: Reformatting the Drive Restoring the WD Software and Disk Image Reformatting the Drive CAUTION! Reformatting the drive erases all its contents.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 16 Troubleshooting This chapter includes the following topics: Installing, Partitioning, and Formatting the Drive Frequently Asked Questions If you have problems installing or using this product, refer to this troubleshooting section or visit our support Web site at http://support.wdc.com and search our knowledge base for more help.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Q: How do I determine whether or not my system supports USB 3.0 or USB 2.0? A: Refer to your USB card documentation or contact your USB card manufacturer. Note: If your USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 controller is built in to the system motherboard, be sure to install the appropriate chipset support for your motherboard. Refer to your motherboard or system manual for more information. Q: What happens when a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 device is plugged into a USB 1.1 port or hub? A: USB 3.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL 1A Compliance and Warranty Information This appendix includes the following topics: Regulatory Compliance Environmental Compliance (China) Warranty Information (All Regions Except Australia/New Zealand) Warranty Information (Australia/New Zealand) GNU General Public License (“GPL”) Regulatory Compliance FCC Class B Information Operation of this device is subject to the following conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Safety Compliance Approved for US and Canada. CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1, UL 60950-1: Safety of Information Technology Equipment. Approuvé pour les Etats-Unis et le Canada. CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1: Sûreté d'équipement de technologie de l'information. This product is intended to be supplied by a listed limited power source, double insulated, or direct plug-in power unit marked “Class 2.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Warranty Information (All Regions Except Australia/ New Zealand) Obtaining Service WD values your business and always attempts to provide you the very best of service. If this Product requires maintenance, either contact the dealer from whom you originally purchased the Product or visit our product support website at http://support.wdc.com/ warranty/policy.asp for information on how to obtain service or a Return Material Authorization (RMA).
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Warranty Information (Australia/New Zealand) Nothing in this warranty modifies or excludes your legal rights under the Australian Competition and Consumer Act or the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act. This warranty identifies WD's preferred approach to resolving warranty claims which is likely to be quick and simple for all parties.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Warranty WD warrants that the Product, in the course of its normal use, will for the term defined below, be free from defects in material and workmanship and will conform to WD’s specifications. The term of your warranty is 3 year in Australia and New Zealand, unless otherwise required by law. The term of your warranty period shall commence on the purchase date appearing on your purchase receipt from an authorized distributor or authorized reseller.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL may be obtained at http://www.gnu.org, and may also be found at http:// support.wdc.com/download/gpl. Modification of or tampering with the Software, including but not limited to any Open Source Software, is solely at your own risk. Western Digital is not responsible for any such modification or tampering. Western Digital will not support any product in which you have or have attempted to modify the Software supplied by Western Digital.
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL Index H A Handling precautions 4 Hardware 2 Accessories, optional 2 I B Indicator light 3 Box contents 2 Box contents, My Passport Air 2 K C CAUTION about erasing the drive 22 about lost passwords 13 about preventing data loss when disconnecting 27 about your unlocked drive 14, 17 China RoHS compliance 32 Compatibility with operating systems 2 Compliance, regulatory 31 Converting drive format 29 Creating a password 13 D KC notice (Republic of Korea) 32 Kit contents 2
MY PASSPORT AIR USER MANUAL from the virtual CD 16 with the WD Security software 15 without the WD Security software 16 USB drive interface 3 W Warranty information 33, 34, 35 WD service 33, 34 WD technical support, contacting ii INDEX – 38
Information furnished by WD is believed to be accurate and reliable; however, no responsibility is assumed by WD for its use nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of WD. WD reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice.