http://safelyremove.comUSB Safely Remove is a USB device manager. It saves time and extends user abilities on active work with flash-drives, portable drives, card readers and other gadgets.
I like it and purchased it.
I use this for free. http://quick.mixnmojo.com/usb-disk-ejector
I've been ripping out peripherals by the hair (without the proper removal process) since 2000 and I've never had a problem yet. (knocks on wood)
I've been ripping out peripherals by the hair (without the proper removal process) since 2000 and I've never had a problem yet. (knocks on wood)
ditto
Said it before, but I'll say it again. Would not consider removing a device without using the 'safely remove hardware' icon.
When you lose a lot of stuff (as I once did) by not using this, it sharpens the senses
It adds a lot of nice features that I like:
o A handy menu to stop devices
The main disadvantage of using built-in Windows safe removal tool is that in case of having several hot-plug devices it is quite difficult to recognize a needed to stop device - the most devices have the same name - "USB mass storage device". In addition, Windows does not let you hide a device you would not want to stop from the menu.
Also this menu allows to:
. Rename a device
. Change a device image
. Hide a device from the menu
o The device cannot be stopped right now. Why?
Ever encountered the situation when Windows does not allow you to remove a device? Unlike Windows, USB Safely Remove will show you programs which prevent the device from being stopped and let you close these programs or just files they opened on the device.
o Program autorun on device connection\disconnection
Another USB Safely Remove feature that distinguishes it from similar software is starting any applications not only after connecting a device, but also before removing it. The autorun feature allows you to set up data backup before disconnecting a removable hard drive, to run Total Commander with the contents of the pen-drive, automatically unmount an encrypted TrueCrypt drive before disconnecting the USB media, etc.
o Command line to safe removal
USB Safely Remove has a powerful and convenient command line: usr.exe. It allows you to automate work with any devices. For example, you can automatically stop devices according to schedule or in case of any other event. In addition the command line tool of "USB Safely Remove" allows to "return device back".
o Working with any hot-plug devices - USB, SATA, FireWire, PCMCIA
Another important difference between the program and the standard Safely Remove Hardware icon is the possibility to see and stop any kinds of hotplug devices. If USB Safely Remove does not display the device you need, try enabling the "Display all storage devices" checkbox in the program options.
o Return Device Back!
After you had stopped the device, but still did not unplug it, sometimes it is quite useful to return it back into the system. For example if you remembered that you forgot to write a file to the external drive. In order to do it, you have to physically reconnect the device, however sometimes it's quite inconvenient to do, e.g. if the device is connected to the rear panel of the computer.
...Would not consider removing a device without using the 'safely remove hardware' icon. ...
Must agree, better safe than sorry. I have some irreplaceable applications stored on USB drives.
Thanks
I prefer to get the best performance out of my USB drive so I have it set to "Optimize for Performance"... And I always "safely remove hardware" with my USB drives unless of course I get the dreaded error saying that my drive is still in use and there is nothing using it! (from what I can tell of course) Then, I just take my chances and pull it out.
I always did the right thing and used the (Safely Remove Hardware Icon) that was in the system tray on my XP comp
However I don't have that icon in the system tray on this new comp with vista?
Is it included with vista?
Do I need to enable it in vista?
Edit:
I found "Removable Storage Management" option in (Turn Windows features on or off)
I checked the box and clicked Ok.
I restarted my comp...
Still no system tray (Safely Remove Hardware Icon)
Odd but on my laptop that runs Vista, it was there by default... Although, the icons don't look the same when you compare from Win XP to Vista... Did you try right clicking on the drive in "My Computer" and making sure it's optimized for performance?
Odd but on my laptop that runs Vista, it was there by default... Although, the icons don't look the same when you compare from Win XP to Vista... Did you try right clicking on the drive in "My Computer" and making sure it's optimized for performance?
Yes the drive happens to be my camera.
If I right click on my camera that's connected to a USB port and select "Properties" the only tab on the window is a "General" tab listing camera make, model, etc...
All I can do is make sure communications between the camera and PC have finished before I turn my camera's power off & unplug it.
I've always removed my SD Camera Card by simply using the "eject disk" menu item.
If you use the "safely remove hardware" icon, it doesn't disconnect a Camera Card, it completely disables the Card Reader, so if you want to put the Camera Card back in, and I'm always forgetting something and need to do that, you have to reboot.
If you use the "eject" method, you can check after doing that by double clicking on the drive icon, and all you will get is "please insert a disk into Drive X". Then it's safe to remove, and will be picked up again without rebooting.
I would emphasize, that this is on my PC, so make sure it works on yours with no valuable data on the Card if you decide to give it a try.