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What is Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostics?

Anonymous
2011-03-21T03:12:27+00:00

Friends -

I noted in my Start/Programs a new piece of software was added to the list and I needed to install it. It is called Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostics. I don't know where it came from, so I assume it was part of an auto-update from MS. The problem is that when I Googled it and looked it up online at Microsoft.com, all the references were too opaque for me to grasp what, exactly, it does.

From its own support pages, it tells me that "This is a Windows version of the Data LifeGuard Diagnostics. It will test WD internal and external drives. In additional, it can provide you with the model and serial of WD drives attached to the system." Huh? Why would I want or need this information?

I am suspicious of what it is and does (pretty thin on explanations out there), but there seems to be so much on it that I am comfortable believing it is not a scam/spam. The problem is, where does it come from and what benefit can it provide me? Sorry if I am too much of a novice on this, but I have never heard of it.

Any information would be welcome. Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-29T16:36:24+00:00

    Hello MDBoy,

    From a search on the internet, Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostics is a software that performs hard disk diagnostics.

    The utility can perform drive identification, diagnostics, and repairs on a Western Digital FireWire, EIDE, or USB drive. In addition, it can provide you with the drive's serial and model numbers.

    In addition, there is a feature called **Write Zeros:**This option can be used to erase operating systems and file systems.

    So if you didn't install this software, I would suggest you uninstall and remove this diagnostic software. You can go to Control Panel, click on Programs and Features. The Western Digital Data LifeGuard Diagnostics  should be listed there. There is a column there for Installed on. This will give you the date the software was installed so it may give you a clue.

    Thanks,

    Marilyn

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-22T14:24:45+00:00

    D -

    Thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. I don't know whether I have one of their products (how would I find out?). I do have an external drive but it is from Maxtor and I don't have any other media devices.

    Here is the thing, though - I haven't installed anything new in many months, so why would I suddenly get the notification? I can see if just bought the pc or put something new on, but it is suspicious that out of the blue I suddenly get this alert. Why wasn't it flagged earlier as something I should do? I have auto-updates.

    I tend to be cautious about these things - even uninstalling it will still leave me to wonder why the notice came up at all....

    Thanks.

    MDBoy

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-03-22T02:09:02+00:00

    Hi MDBOy,

    • Do you have any of the storage device (like external hard drive, or internal hard drive, or multimedia drive etc) installed on your computer from Western Digital?

    If yes, that could be the reason this software could have been installed on your computer.

    If no, then go ahead and uninstall the software from your computer.

    How to change or remove a program in Windows XP

    Remove programs you don't need anymore

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