Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device

[sassofalco]

Problem ejecting USB Mass Storage Device - My Drive M:\

See my System Specs. I have just finished a session between my C:\ and M:\ Drives, well at least I thought so.

When I tried to Safely Remove Hardware, I get the following Error window;

Questions;

• Is there a way or shortcut that I can use to find which programs or windows are still using the Drive?

• Will potential problems result if I just do a 'hard' close-down?, ie >Start>Switch Off button ='Closes all open Programs, Shuts down Windows, turns off Computer'.

• Will the same apply if I do a >Start>Restart, close-down and restart procedure?

I have attempted to Safely Remove Drive M:\ via the Icon in the Notification Tray, and through Device Manager, but the results as shown above are the same.

All contributions donated in the spirit of the New Year, will be gratefully accepted ex gratia, and will not be subject to any exchange of monies, filthy lucre or bribes!
​

 

[coolnewyorker]

Maybe you ain't done yet. Wait for a while longer? Go to the fridge and have a beer. Or do something...else.

Earlier OS versions gave us hourglass or spinning stuffs when windows is busy. Not Vista. I go by blinking HDD light.

 

[sassofalco]

Maybe you ain't done yet. Wait for a while longer? Go to the fridge and have a beer. Or do something...else.

Mate!!

Fancy encouraging the imbibing of alcoholic beverages, and other nefarious con-joining activities at 8.30am on a hot, sultry steamy morning!!!.

The Sepoys thank-you for your advice, and have now taken leave to start drinking!

 

[coolnewyorker]

OK...have you finally ejected?

 

[sassofalco]

OK...have you finally ejected?

No Mate!! Aircraft about to crash.......and I'm still sitting in the Pilots seat.

Here's the latest snippet;

:sa::sa:

Got me beat. Maybe IT'S making Coffee?
​

 

[coolnewyorker]

OK....at the bottom of the page are previous identical threads with lots of posted replies. One that caught my attention, possibly an explanation (but may not be a solution) is this :

My drive just did the same as yours. I was looking at the Device Manager,
and I noticed under the Disk Drive - properties - policies, there is an
option for "Optimize for quick removal", which says you do not have to use
the Safe Removal icon. I would still be concerned about making sure the
drive was not running when I removed the device or unpowered it, but maybe
it works like it says.

Does your driver in device manager say same thing?

 

[coolnewyorker]

So...how did you do? Forced release?

 

[sassofalco]

OK....at the bottom of the page are previous identical threads with lots of posted replies. One that caught my attention, possibly an explanation (but may not be a solution) is this :

My drive just did the same as yours. I was looking at the Device Manager,
and I noticed under the Disk Drive - properties - policies, there is an
option for "Optimize for quick removal", which says you do not have to use
the Safe Removal icon. I would still be concerned about making sure the
drive was not running when I removed the device or unpowered it, but maybe
it works like it says.

Does your driver in device manager say same thing?

Here's the current setup under Properties>Policies, in Device Manager, Mate.

​

So you're suggesting that I change the removal selection and by-pass the 'Safe Removal' option? My biggest fear is of stuffing it up and losing Files, Backups etc on the M:\Drive?

Any thoughts on other options I gave earlier...ie Shutdown, Restart etc.?

Cheers and thanks.

 

[sassofalco]

So...how did you do? Forced release?

Not game to try that path just yet Mate, as I'm not savvy enough with system to figure out any quick remedial work, in case of stuff-up! The 'Safely Remove Hardware' option is in place to protect me, FROM ME!

Thanks for help so far though. I'm now off to our local Markets, but will check in much later on to see if any further developments are posted.

Cheers.

 

[coolnewyorker]

No no no...I am just trapped in due to sub zero weather and all I have is my HP notebook and the Forum (Beer is not an option) . Stay put, sooner or later a guru will pick you up. Do not do anything. I mean nothing that is not obviously safe. Wait for the techies in FORUM. I am not one of them. But they are hovering as we speak.

BTW, none of the posts helped you? All these 5 threads seem to be on Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device prob.

 

[sassofalco]

No no no...I am just trapped in due to sub zero weather and all I have is my HP notebook and the Forum (Beer is not an option) . Stay put, sooner or later a guru will pick you up. Do not do anything. I mean nothing that is not obviously safe. Wait for the techies in FORUM. I am not one of them. But they are hovering as we speak.

BTW, none of the posts helped you? All these 5 threads seem to be on Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device prob.

Geez Mate! Kinda like livin' in a freezer huh? I won't burden your misery by telling you how 'pleasantly warm' it is here then!!

I will send a couple of the 'hovering vultures' a PM linking to this, to see what their thoughts are. In the meantime, I'm doin' nuttin'! Safe is far better than sorry.

I will though, have a look at those other Threads to see what others have said, but I notice that most are in the Public Forums, a kind of 'dog eat dog' pit, and I much prefer the laid back, helpful and informative style of 'Vista Forums'

Cheers and thanks.

 

[NormCameron]

So...how did you do? Forced release?

Not game to try that path just yet Mate, as I'm not savvy enough with system to figure out any quick remedial work, in case of stuff-up! The 'Safely Remove Hardware' option is in place to protect me, FROM ME!

Thanks for help so far though. I'm now off to our local Markets, but will check in much later on to see if any further developments are posted.

Cheers.

Hi Sassy, that is simply delayed write. Cange your settings to optomize for quick removal.

Norm

 

[sassofalco]

Hi Sasso, that is simply delayed write. Cange your settings to optomize for quick removal.
Norm

Geez thanks Norm,

I'd been chewing over this one all morning, and it tasted blaaah!

So basically I'm setting the removal policy for M:\ Drive only, and other USB Devices remain under current settings, right?

Also, even though the light on the Ext. HD keeps blinking, that is irrelevant? Noted that the Laptop HD Indicator light is not active. So I can safely remove the USB from the port, once that ceases activity after a session?:D

Cheers Mate and Thanks again.

PS.....Sasso, I can manage........Sassy refers to Chickie-dees, and Blonde ones at that!!! Infrequently, an Angry Dresser......NEVER a Cross Dresser!!
PS2...No more Cookies!! Gimmee punkin!

 

[smarteyeball]

Possibly a silly question, but do you have any explorer windows open showing any folders on the maxtor? If so, close them.

Any apps that you are running that are installed on the Maxtor?

If the light on the Maxtor is regualrly blinking, then the drives still being accessed causing your "still in use" message. But then I figured you might have guessed that one

 

[sassofalco]

Possibly a silly question, but do you have any explorer windows open showing any folders on the maxtor? If so, close them.

Any apps that you are running that are installed on the Maxtor?

Thanks for reply Mate......all sorted now. Device Safely Removed. Maxtor light stabilised to no blinking, as did HD indicator [no light] on the laptop, and I got a "Device can be safely removed" window after clicking on the Notification Tray USB Icon.

Cheers.

 

[smarteyeball]

Good stuff

 

[NormCameron]

Possibly a silly question, but do you have any explorer windows open showing any folders on the maxtor? If so, close them.

Any apps that you are running that are installed on the Maxtor?

Thanks for reply Mate......all sorted now. Device Safely Removed. Maxtor light stabilised to no blinking, as did HD indicator [no light] on the laptop, and I got a "Device can be safely removed" window after clicking on the Notification Tray USB Icon.

Cheers.

Sassy, It is always better to set your removal policy for external drives to Allow for Quick Removal. Then if you accidently remove the device without using safely remove you are unlikely to have any data corruption.

Norm

 

[sassofalco]

Sassy, It is always better to set your removal policy for external drives to Allow for Quick Removal. Then if you accidently remove the device without using safely remove you are unlikely to have any data corruption.

Norm

Sassy? Sassy:huh:?.......Sasso! :D please Miss Minnie Crun!!

Thanks again Norm for your good advice and tips. I will change the policy settings for my other USB devices, as I get to use them.

Yet again, not a day has passed where I have not learned of some new system process or tweak, and I thank you again for your help.

Cheers Mate. Sasso

 

[sassofalco]

OK....at the bottom of the page are previous identical threads with lots of posted replies. One that caught my attention, possibly an explanation (but may not be a solution) is this :

My drive just did the same as yours. I was looking at the Device Manager,
and I noticed under the Disk Drive - properties - policies, there is an
option for "Optimize for quick removal", which says you do not have to use
the Safe Removal icon. I would still be concerned about making sure the
drive was not running when I removed the device or unpowered it, but maybe
it works like it says.

Does your driver in device manager say same thing?

G'Day to a very coolnewyorker!!

Just a follow-up to your suggested reading. Yes, that was the direction that resolved the issue, and Norm explained it all rather neatly.

I did take a look at all the other Tag Threads, but the reference you have highlighted here, is the ONLY one that corrects the issue. Some of the other suggested fixes have you doing all manner of deep techo stuff, bar removing the battery from your Pacemaker.

It all came back to the KISS principle - Keep It Simple, Stupid.....

Thanks for your help Mate.

Cheers. sasso.

 

[z3r010]

I've never used safely removed device yet, just unplug works for me