how to unplug USB drive after computer crash?

  • Thread starter Thread starter derek.vanittersum
  • Start date Start date
D

derek.vanittersum

Hi there,

I've had this problem twice now and lost data both times, so I'm trying
to avoid having it again. My older computer will occasionally freeze
up (PIII, but running windows xp). This in itself is usually not an
issue, just reboot and we're ready to go. But sometimes I have a USB
external drive attached, and rebooting results in the USB drive not
getting properly ejected/unmounted. This is a problem when the freeze
occurs while the drive is being written to.

So here's my question--what's the best way to deal with this situation
to avoid improperly disconnecting the USB drive? I've waited several
hours to see if the freeze will somehow resolve itself, but it never
does. Since the computer's locked up, it doesn't seem like there's any
options available, but I figured I don't know all the different tricks
that can be done.

thanks!
derek
 
Hi there,

I've had this problem twice now and lost data both times, so I'm trying
to avoid having it again. My older computer will occasionally freeze
up (PIII, but running windows xp). This in itself is usually not an
issue, just reboot and we're ready to go. But sometimes I have a USB
external drive attached, and rebooting results in the USB drive not
getting properly ejected/unmounted. This is a problem when the freeze
occurs while the drive is being written to.

So here's my question--what's the best way to deal with this situation
to avoid improperly disconnecting the USB drive? I've waited several
hours to see if the freeze will somehow resolve itself, but it never
does. Since the computer's locked up, it doesn't seem like there's any
options available, but I figured I don't know all the different tricks
that can be done.

thanks!
derek
Click to expand...

If you are content to live with the freezes rather than addressing the
problem, then do this:
Rather than reboot, power the computer off.
Unplug the USB external drive.
Power up the computer.
Plug the USB external drive back into your computer.
Steve
 
Hi there,

I've had this problem twice now and lost data both times, so I'm trying
to avoid having it again. My older computer will occasionally freeze
up (PIII, but running windows xp). This in itself is usually not an
issue, just reboot and we're ready to go.
Click to expand...

Freeze ups are Not Good. It's an issue.

But sometimes I have a USB
external drive attached, and rebooting results in the USB drive not
getting properly ejected/unmounted. This is a problem when the freeze
occurs while the drive is being written to.

So here's my question--what's the best way to deal with this situation
to avoid improperly disconnecting the USB drive? I've waited several
hours to see if the freeze will somehow resolve itself, but it never
does. Since the computer's locked up, it doesn't seem like there's any
options available, but I figured I don't know all the different tricks
that can be done.
Click to expand...

Yank and pray, or shut down and pray are your main options. Best solve
those lockups.

If you've never opened up the case on that p3, it's likely to have a
LOT of dust in it. Which is an overheating issue, and a possible cause
of freezing. Blow out the dust. Especially any that is clogging
heatsinks, fans and vents

Check the mechanics, are *all* your fans running?

Check the motherboard for bad capicitors (little soda cans) if any are
bulging, or leaking, they're bad.

Download and run memtest86+ from www.memtest.org to test for RAM
issues. Leave it run for an hour. Or several loops, at least.
 
Back
Top