External Hard Drive Problem

I did some searching through the posts/threads to find answers to a couple of questions.
I have a WD external hard drive, the passport essential, which won't back up after I updated the software/firmware. The diagnostics say the drive is fine and it does indicate the volumes for both the external drive and computer.
I can access the files going through my computer and even remove or copy them.

It will not display the files/volumes to be backed up, so it won't operate. I am in the process of removing the files I value and starting from scratch. I was wondering is there a way to re-boot the software on the external drive.

Also, my WD is only 500gb and I am going to buy a bigger one.

Everyone, here on MG, (especially the moderators), were so great when I was considering buying this first one. Now tell me which one to buy with at least 1TB. :wave

Thanks, melissa

 

Update:

I have been trying to fix the WD passport using my HP laptop which is about 4+ years old. It came with Vista/XP downgrade. It came out at a time when 32bit was the norm, but this laptop was capable of 64bit. I bought my own Windows7 and crammed it on the thing. It chugs along. Frequently coughing.

Well, I smartened up and pulled out my Toshiba Satellite which I bought some time after the last decade change. It has XP Pro. I call it my work horse. The CD drive works on it's own, not with a CD ,(I have no idea what it is doing in there), and where you plug in the power cord ... well that is hanging by a thread. Anyhoo... the Toshiba forced that software upgrade into the WD, it took some rebooting and CMD screens to pop up a few times, but it did it.

It is time to replace the HP 17". I have been looking at Dell XPS for the 1080 high definition. If anyone has any thoughts on Dell, feel free to share them.

Still looking for a WD model with at least 1TB. The reviews are to so bad, I don't know which one to get.