Re: "Safely remove hardware" icon is missinbg

I'm not sure it's going to be of any help. Windows 2000 is out of mainstream support so I'm not sure if these hotfixes are still available free of charge (if at all). Contact information is here: http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support The Windows 2000 support information is here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/extendedsupport.mspx

The support information clearly states: "During the Extended Support phase, Microsoft continues to provide security hot fixes and paid support but no longer provides complimentary support options, design change requests, and non-security hotfixes." One of the MVP's can comment or give you further information on that, I don't know if the fix is available from Microsoft.

But I know that you can get the file from another source if you don't mind downloading a 230 MB plus package for a single 23k file, it's the Windows 2000 SP5 we never got... http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Microsoft-Windows-2000-Unofficial-SP5.shtml

John

Jyeshta wrote:

Hi John,

Oh, no wonder! Well, how do I contact Microsoft? Do you know their
contact address for requesting hot fixes? Thank you *so much*!

Gail



On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 20:38:34 -0400, John John <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


It seems to me that the dingbats at WD should have known this... they claim it is a known issue... their drives after all, and they suggested that you search MSKB for the answer! Rotten tech support to say the least.

A Western Digital USB hard drive is not shown in the "Safely Remove Hardware" function under Windows 2000.
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1411&p_created=1138640655&p_sid=WDyGZE2i&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTUzJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9U2FmZWx5IFJlbW92ZSBIYXJkd2FyZQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1

Or Microsoft page here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;841880&Product=win2000

You need to contact MS to get a hotfix.

John

Jyeshta wrote:


Hi John,

When I get to the window that asks what device I want to remove, the
space is blank and I can't proceed ahead. I'm stumped. I checked
Properties on both partitions (drive is partitioned and no single
device shows up in Explorer) and there's nothing on any of the tabs to
indicate the unplug option or icon. So I guess I'm out of luck. The
only way I have to unplug the external drive now is to shut the
computer off, which I hate doing because then certain updates need to
be reinstalled all over again, so obviously, there's something wrong
with Windows 2000 on my computer.

Any other suggestions would be greatly welcomed, and I thank you so
much for all your help.

Gail


On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 14:41:47 -0400, John John <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:



No, you just have to chose the "Unplug/Eject" option. It's going to look almost identical as the rundll32 methot but you will run through a few screens before you get to the end. Lifted from a Microsoft page:

To unplug or eject devices

1. Open Add/Remove Hardware in Control Panel.

2. Click Next, click Uninstall/Unplug a device, and then click Next.

3. Click Unplug/Eject a device, and then click Next.

4. Select the device you want to unplug or eject, and then click Next.

5. Click Next to confirm that you want the device unplugged or ejected.

6. Click Finish.

Important
• It is important to use the Add/Remove Hardware wizard before physically unplugging a device to avoid data loss or other serious malfunctions of the computer or device.

Notes
• To open a Control Panel item, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click the appropriate icon.

• If you frequently need to unplug the device, be sure the Show Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar check box is selected in the Completing the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard page. The next time you want to unplug or eject the device, you can use the icon on the taskbar instead of the Add/Remove Hardware wizard.

• To reinstall the device, connect the device to the appropriate slot or port.

End

You can always click cancel at any point to exit the Hardware Wizzard without changes. Remember that the drive should be plugged in in order to make it to the last steps.

Another thing to verify is with the drive plugged in right click the drive in Windows Explorer and check the "Properties" to see what options are available there.

John

Jyeshta wrote:


Hi John,

I'm kind of afraid to try the Add/Remove method for fear I'll mess
something up. I take it I would be removing the external drive, which
is the only USB device I have? Many, many thanks.

Gail


On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:22:59 -0400, John John <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:




Usually the icon appears in the Systray, next to the clock. Try via the Control panel Add/Remove hardware and try ejecting it there and see if things change.

Jyeshta wrote:




Hi John,


On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 17:50:35 -0400, John John <audetweld@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:





Try runnign this command (Start>Run):

RUNDLL32 SHELL32.DLL,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

That should open the hotplug.dll. Then make sure that "Show Unplug/Eject icon on the taskbar" is checked.



I did this, and the item was already checked. Where does the icon
appear, on the SysTray, Taskbar, or the expandable little row of icons
to the left of the Taskbar? I'll check all three next time I plug in
the external drive, but I thought I already had checked everywhere for
it. Thank you so much, again. I'll plug in the drive and check for
the icon and try your alternate method ASAP and post back my results.

Thank you!

Gail






If that doesn't work go through the Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware and select the "Uninstall/Unplug a device" option and follow right through to the last screen, there you will be shown an option to have the icon in the taskbar. Tip: If you use the Add/Remove hardware option, you have to have something to unplug in order to make it to the last screen where the option can be unabled. Using the rundll32 method opens the hotplug.dll even if no devices are attached.

John

Jyeshta wrote:




Hi,

I have an external USB hard drive but the "Safely Remove Hardware"
icon is missing from System Tray even after rebooting. How would I
get that back? I really don't want to damage my external drive.

Western Digital, the hard drive's manufacturer suggested searching the
Microsoft Knowledge Base but my search didn't yield any results.

Running Windows 2000 Pro with all service packs and critical updates.
Thank you so much to anyone who could offer some advice.

Gail




.

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