Western Digital Essentials HD Repair

The My Book Essential Edition is an external hard drive with USB 2.0 (max 480 Mbit/s) connectivity. The drive was released by Western Digital in 2006, and was designed to mimic the appearance of a hardback book. The outer case of each model is the same (although they may vary slightly in size), but the hard drive inside comes in 80, 160, 250, 320, 400, 500, and 750 GB versions according to the WD support website.

The blue LED on the front of the case will light up when the drive has power and will blink when the drive is active. Fun fact: the vents on the top of the case spell out words in Morse code. Although the device is sold as a combination of a hard drive and external case, the 3.5-inch hard drive inside can be exchanged relatively easily. The drive is powered with an external power supply through the barrel jack on the back of the case.

This device can be identified by looking at the back of the case, where the words “My Book Essential“ should be written. You can check the model number—which is also printed on the back of the case—against this list on the WD support website.

Connections

• USB 2.0 port
• DC barrel jack (12 V, 1.5 A)
• Kensington Security Slot

Hard Drive

• Capacities: 80, 160 GB, 250 GB, 320 GB, 400 GB, 500 GB, 750 GB
• Size: 3.5 inches
• Speed: 7200 RPM

User manual

Marketing pamphlet

WD support page for the Essential Edition

Amazon: My Book Essential

Wikipedia: My Book