WD Passport Ultra Backup Incompatibility with Windows 8.1

[mbattock]

I recently had issues with my laptop and the only way to get back to 8.1 from 8.0 was to wipe the computer and start over. Before I did that I backed up everything to a WD Passport Ultra external drive. I am now running 8.1 and I see all my files on the external drives in a folder but it has a .DIR extension and cannot be retrieved back to my computer, so that is one question:
How do I get my files back on my computer with that .DIR extension?

Also, I have tried to contact WD and they say its a windows issue. I have done all the updates to the drivers and any windows updates, uninstalled and reinstalled WD. I keep having windows block my ability to update any software and it simply closes the program over and over. I don't want to perform another backup of my C: drive as I need to recover my files first.

 

[RolandJS]

You might have to consult Jumanji over in Windows 7 forum - he knows a lot about the operations of WD Passport Ultra and related WD products.
WD Passport Ultra very likely is using an onboard/circuit board level encryption on everything going onto the hard-drive. I believe Smartware and Drive Unlock is the software that "communicates" with WD Passport Ultra, providing you access to that platter-drive.
The solution is going to be very geekish, very lengthy in process. I think you are going to have restore your computer to the OS the WD Passport Ultra was first connected to; restore Smartware and Drive Unlock to the exact same running condition you had within the OS the WD Passport Ultra was first connected to. In other words, you are going to recreate the OS, the Smartware, the DriveUnlock to exactly what all of that was when your WD Passport Ultra was working great.

** Do not attempt to circumvent the onboard encryption; do not attempt to "fix" the WD Passport Ultra with utilities not made by the company that made said WD Passport Ultra; if you do -- your data folders and files could be gone forever. **

 

[mbattock]

Thank you for the reply and I was hoping for better news. I don't want to go back to Windows 8 and all the issues my computer had on that platform. I finally got my computer to 8.1 via wiping it all but backing it up first and can see the files on the WD Passport but can't retrieve them. If you suggest the only solution may be to revert back to 8, it puts me back where I started. WD wont help or offer a solution. If I understand correctly, the backup is encrypted and can't recover my files as I am now on 8.1?

 

[RolandJS]

Well, you might actually have a chance with 8.1,. If you can install the software that came with that WDPU HD, and if you can do the setup the exact same way you did on 8.0. Was Drive Unlock set to auto-on or left as manual entry? Was there a password set by you - if yes, the same password probably will be required. Was the WDPU HD plugged in during Smartware/Drive Unlock install, or, did the instructions say to plug it in after the install completes? You get the picture.