External HDD issue with USB loaders.

My problem is the following:
I got a brand new 500gb WD My Book Essential [Model #WDBAAF50000EBK-NESN] for back up playing purposes, backing up some of my files and to load applications on the Wii. I formatted to Fat32 using a free partitioner and created 3 partitions (Fat32 primary and active for WBFS formatting, another small Fat32 for HBC applications which works and an NTFS one for backing up purposes.)

I have a 4.2 softmodded Wii and have tried various USB loaders with their latest versions [USBLoader GX, CFG USB Loader and Neogamma loaded via SD card] but the problem persists in all of them: they do not detect my HDD. I also have tried both cIOS 249 rev14 and 222/223 v4 but to no avail. I only have the Okami ISO in my WBFS partition, but when I connect my HDD in all three loaders a timer appears and counts down, then reboots. Also, the LED on the HDD does not indicate that the drive is performing any activity while "the mounting drive" message appears.

If someone can lend me a hand with this issue, I will be eternally grateful.

Follow the usb guide in my signature. Sounds like you did it wrong.

Hi there,

Any chance you can take it back and get a Western Digital Elements 500GB Portable USB 2.0 Hard Drive
Never had any issues with it, One Fat32 Partition running Games (CFG USB Loader),Apps & Movies(Mplayer_CE) for the kids.

As for your issues junkmail has it covered.
Regards

Alright, I followed the tutorial junkmail linked me to the fullest...nothing still. Although scouting for info has led me to believe the issue could be related to the Smartware software that is included with the HDD. I've tried disabling it, but it does not seem to work. I am wondering if I can be able to remove it completely from the drive. Maybe that is the reason why my HDD doesn't get detected by the USB Loaders. Last resort would be to take it back to the store and get another one like renke said.

Thanks in advance to anyone that bothers helping a noob.

Can you load any apps from the fat partition?
How about if you format the entire thing fat and put on a few apps (to rule out a wonky partitioning perhaps)..

I have used WD Passports with and without smartware disabled and they worked for me.
I would format it like xxbeanxx says to fat32 and put the latest CFG usb loader on your sd card and add a game - she how she goes.

FAT32 Formatter
CFG USB Loader v56 FAT32
Wii Game Manager

Regards

Take a look here. USB Devices Compatibility List - WikiTemp

I don't see you drive listed. Thats not saying that it is not compatible but the possibility that it isn't should be considered.

And to answer your question, the smartware woould not cause you any problems.

i have a western digital 500 gb HDD and using WiiFlow as my program to run my backups. it works perfectly. just google search wiiflow for the channel or if you have priloader just download the .dol file, place in root of sd card and install using priloader. then you can set it up to autoboot the .dol file (wiiflow) instead of the normal wii system menu. :)

Check to make sure that the hdd does not have the password lock on it as the usb loaders cannot bypass them. If it does then it has to be disabled before you can use it.;)