Re: USB MemoryStik "Safely Remove Hardware"

From: LVTravel (trash_at_dd.com)
Date: 01/05/05 

Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 11:36:09 -0500

The safely remove feature of XP and previous Windows versions is to allow
you to know that all data has been properly written to the removable device.
(If you are editing a file on the device the file will be "open" in a
program and by simply removing the card you could corrupt the data. In your
case, the USB card reader may be writing to the device and you would not
know about it if you simply pulled out the Memory Stick.

To properly use the feature, single left click on the icon. A listing of
all removable drives and most USB devices will appear. Single left click on
the drive you want to remove. If it says it is safe to remove the device
you can unplug it. If there is a file open it will tell you that it can't
close the device. Don't remove the MS at this time. Close the program that
is using the device. Windows Explorer is a common program that will keep
the drive from being closed.

Hope this helps.

"Vagabond Software" <carlfenley-X-@-X-san.rr.com> wrote in message
news:%23hjPsvz8EHA.3376@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
"George" <air1@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:OaI%23Viz8EHA.2124@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> I'm using WinXP-pro, and plugged a small card-reader device into a USB
port.
> The card-reader reads MemorySticks, like those in Sony Camcorders, some
> cameras, and some card-type external "drives".
>
> This simple device (Lexar Media, JumpDrive Trio) does not require any
> drivers at all, you just put a memory-stick in, and it comes up as the E:
> drive, then you copy or play files off of it.
>
> There's a small icon that appeared in the bottom-right task bar... a grey
> one with a green arrow that, when pointed to, says "safely remove
hardware".
> Could an MVP or other expert possibly help with...
>
> 1) What happens if I click or double-click this icon?
>
> 2) Why would an icon appear about "removing" hardware?
>
> 3) If something were to happen when I click it (say it deletes the
> fictitious E: drive), would all I do is unplug/replug...and it would pop
up
> the E: drive along with the icon again? Or would the E: drive and icon
> re-appear with just a re-boot?
>
> Thanks,
> George

I'm not an expert, but I've been using Lexar JumpDrives for about two-years
on three operating systems.

You're seeing a holdover from the Windows 2000 days. In Windows 2000, if
you removed the JumpDrive without first clicking on that icon and selecting
"Stop" for that hardware device, you would get a nag message complaining
that you may cause harm to the device or (more likely) the operating system.

1) If you click that little icon, you will be presented a menu for safely
removing your various removeable media.

1a) If you double-click that icon, you will be presented a dialog (much like
the 2000 dialog) that allows you to manually "Stop" the device prior to
removing it.

2) It appears because some habits die hard (for users and OS manufacturers).
The cynic in me also thinks it may have something to do with "plausible
deniability", but pay no attention to that.

3) If you select "Safely Remove" or you "Stop" the device in question, it
will no longer appear in your drives list. You are correct in that all you
need to do is remove the device and re-insert it.

My standard practice is to just pull the drive from the USB extension cable
and plug it in, at will... as desired, without clicking anything.

carl

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