Windows version 5.1 at start-up has a message "WDDM service not running". How do I address this?

I need help with this as well, however, I can provide some insight about what is going on.

I just purchased a new MyBook Essential (external hard drive) to backup my machine. When I try and install the software for it I get the error "WDDM service not running". I presume that if you also have this external hard drive (or another one from Western Digital) you are experiencing the same problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Display_Driver_Model <-- Looks like it's a Windows Vista driver, check that out.

I have also just installed the WD MyBook Essential 1TB and have TWO problems:

hi
did you get an answer or solution?

I have the same issue i.e. using WD Mybook Elite 1TB and now I get the message "WDDM service not running" when i connect Mybook and I can not access it.

I am runnning XP SP2 so not sure why a vista driver would influence....

I've had that problem, too, but I managed to "solve" it (according to *my* needs, of course...).

When I first installed the software that came with my Western Digital Passport Essential, it created two services ("WD Smartware Background Service" and "WD Smartware Drive Manager Service"), both set to start automatically; the installer also created two shortcuts in my Startup menu ("WDDM Status" and "WDSmartware").

I tested the Smartware software and I found it very poor and unusable (for my needs), so I changed the start type of the the two services from "Automatic" to "Manual", but I forgot to remove the two shortcuts in the Startup folder, and this caused the "WDDM service not running" message at startup. When I deleted the shortcuts, the WDDM message didn't pop up any more (of course, lol!).

Therefore:

1) If you want to get rid of the Smartware software at once, uninstall it or perform the steps outlined above (set the service to "Manual" and delete the shortcuts).

2) If you want to use the Smartware software, I'm not the best person to ask (because I don't use it); however, be sure that both services are correctly installed and started: in the service list, they shoud have the "Automatic" and the "Running" labels.

Oh Gosh... Me too!!! I just bought WD my passport essential, using XP SP2, also causing the same problem... ~.~

i had the same problem so i downloaded  the latest Direct X and shes now all good :)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/resultsForProduct.aspx?displaylang=en&productID=9C954C37-1ED1-4846-8A7D-85FC422D1388

ITS CAUSED BY YOUR EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE PROBABLY MADE BY WESTERN DIGITAL.  SIMPLY UNINSTALL "WD SMARTWARE "  AND RESTART YOUR COMPUTER

You do not need to uninstall  WD smartware. If the WDDM service is not running, all you have to do is restart the service. Go to start menu, type services. Scroll down the services list until you see WDDMService. Right click on it and select properties. On the "General" tab, change the startup type to Automatic. Hit apply then Ok. You don't need to restart your pc. That's all.

 

Hope this helps.