Problems disconnecting usb storage device

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Guest

Hello,

I'm working with Win XP Home (SP2). Sometimes I have problems disconnecting
my usb storage devices properly.

Here's what happens. Although I follow the proper procedure -- by clicking
on the icon in the system tray, and then selecting the device in the dialogue
box that appears -- I often will get an error message stating that it is
impossible to disconnect the device because it is still in use, or (I think)
because another programme the device uses is still in use. However, the
device itself is clearly closed, as is Windows Explorer. No other programmes
are open on the desktop.

It seems there is some kind of conflict which blocks the shut down
procedure. And this leaves me blocked, because I can't dismount the device
properly. Even if I try to eject the device from inside Windows Explorer, I
get the same error message. I end up having to shut down the computer in
order to dismount the device (which I gather is not a great idea).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Stephen
 
Steve said:
Hello,

I'm working with Win XP Home (SP2). Sometimes I have problems
disconnecting
my usb storage devices properly.

Here's what happens. Although I follow the proper procedure -- by clicking
on the icon in the system tray, and then selecting the device in the
dialogue
box that appears -- I often will get an error message stating that it is
impossible to disconnect the device because it is still in use, or (I
think)
because another programme the device uses is still in use. However, the
device itself is clearly closed, as is Windows Explorer. No other
programmes
are open on the desktop.

It seems there is some kind of conflict which blocks the shut down
procedure. And this leaves me blocked, because I can't dismount the device
properly. Even if I try to eject the device from inside Windows Explorer,
I
get the same error message. I end up having to shut down the computer in
order to dismount the device (which I gather is not a great idea).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Stephen
Click to expand...


Stephen:
What you've experienced is a common problem in XP. For all practical
purposes, it's really *not* a problem (in the practical sense) at all. For
some unexplained reason (we've never gotten a clear explanation from MS re
this anomaly) the system generates this "unable to disconnect" message even
though there's no problem with physically disconnecting the USB device from
the system.

Unless the installation instructions that accompanied the USB device
*specifically* instruct you to use the Safely Remove Hardware icon at all
times before removing the device from the system, we generally advise users
to access Device Manager > right-click on "Disk drives" > select the USB
device > Policies tab, and select the "Optimize for quick removal" option.

We've never experienced any problems in terms of physical damage to the
device or loss or corrupted data by disconnecting a USB device from the
system without invoking the SRH icon. Obviously you're not going to
disconnect the device while it's in "play", e.g., in the process of copying
large amounts of data.
Anna
 
Try emptying the recycle bin. Files from the USB drive/memory card etc. left
in the recycle bin can prevent you from disconnecting the drive/mass storage
device. Another thing to look for is locked files. Media files are more
particularly prone to this, either by Explorer or some other app. Process
Explorer (a freeware app) can show you which file handles Explorer or other
apps are holding open on the USB storage device and allow you to close the
handle. Also Unlocker (another freeware) can find and release locked files
from the Explorer right-click menu.
 
Hello,

Thank you very much for your prompt and precise response. I will follow your
instructions to the letter.

The 'problem' became more of a concern recently when I started connecting an
ipod to the machine via the usb port, and I often could not 'disconnect' the
ipod due to exactly the same issue. (Exact same error messages, etc.). Apple
recommends not disconnecting the device unless the proper 'safe to disconnect
screen' shows up on the ipod. And this 'Windows' problem seemed to be
blocking the ipod, as it seemed to block the disconnection of any usb storage
device.

Regards,

Stephen
 
Hello again,

I had a little time to try what you suggested. It seemed very simple.
However, when I get into the area you mention, it is impossible for me to
check the option you indicated, i. e. "Optimise for quick removal". It's
greyed out.

The other radio button here, "Optimise for performance", appears to be
'permanently' selected. It's not possible to change the setting.

There is another option, a checkbox: "Activate caching to disk", or
something like that (I'm translating [badly]). But de-selecting this checkbox
doesn't give me access to the radio button "Optimise for quick removal". Is
this normal?

Thanks again,

Stephen
 
Hello,

And thanks for your reply.

I always keep the recycle bin empty. So the problem can't be there. But I
will track down the utilities you mentioned, all the more so because the
solution 'Anna' mentioned above appears not to be as simple and
straightforward as it initially seemed.

Thanks again,

Stephen
 
One other thing that occurred to me since then, because it always happens on
my computer, is that the USB drive cannot be ejected if either Media Center
or Windows Media Player are running. Turn those apps off and the drive can
be ejected immediately.

Don't know if it applies to other media players, like Itunes. I suspect, but
don't know, that it has something to do with drives and folders the media
players automatically monitor for media files.
 
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