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General discussion

Removing a USB Device

Dec 19, 2009 8:15AM PST

I tried to use the "Remove USB Device" tool to safely extract a jump drive. I got a message saying that it couldn't be removed because it was in use. Also, the message said to close any program that was using the device. However, there were no programs running, and Windows Explorer was closed, too.

Two questions: If I am sure that the device is no longer being addressed (no lights blinking), can I just remove it without harm? Also, is there a way to tell WHICH program the computer thinks is using the device?

HP Pavilion, 2.5 GHz, Athlon quad four, 6 GB RAM, 500 GB Drive. Sixth day of trying to get up and running with Win 7.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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When this happens to me
Dec 19, 2009 8:53PM PST

The same happens to me occasionally when I connect my external USB hard drive.

What I found;

1] When I see the message, click OK to get rid of it, then immediately try again. This often works.

2] That method didn't work once. I checked for running processes and couldn't find anything relevant, until I check my anti-virus scanner. It was set to scan all removable drives and although I couldn't tell it was scanning this drive at that particular time, I disabled that option, waited a while, then tried the "Safely remove option". That worked.

Mark

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advice
Dec 21, 2009 4:13AM PST

1. Take Mark's advice.
2. It doesn't hurt to have an extra back-ups. Online storage is free/cheap and takes the edge off the simple act of removing a flash drive.

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Removing a USB Device
Dec 21, 2009 11:46PM PST

Thanks for the replies.

Sometimes I can remove the device, and sometimes I can't, even after waiting and several tries.

Oh well.

vince

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Two notes...
Dec 22, 2009 1:15AM PST

1.) Windows, be default, will write data as the request is processed. However, through Device Manager, you can usually set a driver option to delay the writing of data for optimal system performance, which can then cause such 'ejection' issues.

2.) You can use Process Monitor, from Microsoft, to monitor computer activity. Add a filter that limits output to activity regarding the path (drive) in question and watch the output for a minute. That will tell you what, if anything, is being written, and by which application.

Hope this helps,
John