Guest Steve Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 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
Guest Anna Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... > 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 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
Guest RalfG Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device 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. "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... > 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
Guest Steve Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device 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 "Anna" wrote: > > "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... > > 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 > > > 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 > > >
Guest Steve Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device 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 "Anna" wrote: > > "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... > > 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 > > > 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 > > >
Guest Steve Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device 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 "RalfG" wrote: > 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. > > > "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... > > 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 > > >
Guest RalfG Posted July 13, 2007 Posted July 13, 2007 Re: Problems disconnecting usb storage device 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. "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:09F7E9E1-5315-436C-ADFA-74D38B28101B@microsoft.com... > 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 > > "RalfG" wrote: > >> 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. >> >> >> "Steve" <Steve@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:4A040743-23BD-422B-821A-32BB1BFEEA08@microsoft.com... >> > 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 >> >> >>
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