Windows will not release my externals drive - device is busy

[Nisko]

I clone my OS and, long after it's done, I still can't release the clone because I get a message that says the device is still in use (but it's not as far as I can tell). My understanding is that this feature is used to prevent disconnecting a device while it is being read to or from. Therefore, is it OK to disconnect the drive even though I'm getting that message? In my case, waiting for hours still won't allow me to release (disconnect) my clone.

 

[jadinolf]

I have been told to not disconnect the drive but to shut down the computer.

That's what I do and have never had a problem.

Others may have another opinion.

 

[Nisko]

Thank you - and I hope I get more opinions. It takes over 5 minutes to boot my PC.

 

[jadinolf]

Thank you - and I hope I get more opinions. It takes over 5 minutes to boot my PC.

Yeah, that's a problem. Mine boots in seconds.

I have tried every "release" program I could find and none of them work for me.

 

[NoelDP]

Try setting your AV not to scan the external drive - often it that which 'locks' it.

 

[jadinolf]

Try setting your AV not to scan the external drive - often it that which 'locks' it.

Nope, just tried it and no go.

Antivirus is ESET NOD32, external drive is a Touro 500G USB3.0 and the backup program is EaseUS todo V8.2

Thanks for the suggestion though, it was worth a try.

 

[whs]

A reboot is the safe way to go.

 

[jadinolf]

A reboot is the safe way to go.

Yep, I've been doing it since 2012.

Thanks


You may have suggested that back then.

 

[matts6887]

I agree; a reboot is probably the best way to get a device(s) to unlock. It also pretty much refreshes everything so windows starts out "fresh".

 

[jadinolf]

I agree; a reboot is probably the best way to get a device(s) to unlock. It also pretty much refreshes everything so windows starts out "fresh".

I really shut it down, pull the cable and push the start button

Boot up time is soooo fast these days.

XP used to be 3 or four minutes. No more.

 

[whs]

We are getting spoiled with all those SSDs. A boot of more than 20 seconds is already considered slow.

 

[jadinolf]

We are getting spoiled with all those SSDs. A boot of more than 20 seconds is already considered slow.

Yep, I have one of those slow computers.

 

[Nisko]

Please tell me what program you use to show the "Windows Boot Time." Also, my SSD primary drive takes almost 5 full minutes to boot. Is there a program which can analyze what programs and services are causing this disastrous slowdown? Thank you............

 

[whs]

Yes, the data is in the Event Viewer > Event 100. Drill down this chain:

Eventvwr
Applications and Service Logs
Microsoft
Windows
Diagnostics - performance
Operational
Event ID 100

This will give you the overall time. Then click on the Details tab in the little window. That shows the individual processes. Best is to copy/paste that info into a Notepad for better reading.

Here are the details from my 20 second system for comparison:

BootTsVersion 2
BootStartTime 2015-04-23T15:40:24.671600300Z
BootEndTime 2015-04-23T15:42:53.514699800Z
SystemBootInstance 1199
UserBootInstance 1180
BootTime 20964
MainPathBootTime 9564
BootKernelInitTime 19
BootDriverInitTime 295
BootDevicesInitTime 908
BootPrefetchInitTime 0
BootPrefetchBytes 0
BootAutoChkTime 0
BootSmssInitTime 6182
BootCriticalServicesInitTime 304
BootUserProfileProcessingTime 762
BootMachineProfileProcessingTime 0
BootExplorerInitTime 506
BootNumStartupApps 8
BootPostBootTime 11400
BootIsRebootAfterInstall false
BootRootCauseStepImprovementBits 0
BootRootCauseGradualImprovementBits 0
BootRootCauseStepDegradationBits 0
BootRootCauseGradualDegradationBits 0
BootIsDegradation false
BootIsStepDegradation false
BootIsGradualDegradation false
BootImprovementDelta 0
BootDegradationDelta 0
BootIsRootCauseIdentified false
OSLoaderDuration 1893
BootPNPInitStartTimeMS 19
BootPNPInitDuration 935
OtherKernelInitDuration 231
SystemPNPInitStartTimeMS 1160
SystemPNPInitDuration 269
SessionInitStartTimeMS 1435
Session0InitDuration 2806
Session1InitDuration 280
SessionInitOtherDuration 3094
WinLogonStartTimeMS 7617
OtherLogonInitActivityDuration 676
UserLogonWaitDuration 172

 

[jadinolf]

Please tell me what program you use to show the "Windows Boot Time." Also, my SSD primary drive takes almost 5 full minutes to boot. Is there a program which can analyze what programs and services are causing this disastrous slowdown? Thank you............

Hi Nisko

I used Glary Utilities to get the graphic you saw there.

Glary Utilities - Download | Glarysoft

I have the Pro Version but I'm pretty sure the Plain version would give the information you seek.

As to the "disastrous slowdown", I would not have a clue. Stick around and one of our resident experts will surely read this and offer help.

Good luck to you.

 

[Nisko]

Event Viewer Event 100 Slow Boot

Sorry it took so long for a Reply - been ill. Attached is my Event 100 detail - but I don't know how to read it. From this, can you tell me how to read it and what to look at to get my boot time down from almost 5 minutes? Thank you. Also, I had never heard of Glary Utilities until you mentioned it. The free version doesn't show the boot time as yours does. Is this a good utility package worth the money? There are so many out there!! Thank you...........

 

[jadinolf]

Sorry it took so long for a Reply - been ill. Attached is my Event 100 detail - but I don't know how to read it. From this, can you tell me how to read it and what to look at to get my boot time down from almost 5 minutes? Thank you. Also, I had never heard of Glary Utilities until you mentioned it. The free version doesn't show the boot time as yours does. Is this a good utility package worth the money? There are so many out there!! Thank you...........

If I am reading it right, as you said your boot time is over 5 minutes.

You need one of the folks here to help you find out how to fix the problem. I am not qualified.

Hope someone else is seeing this thread.

Re: Glary Utilities, the Pro version does go on sale. I paid about $12 for the license and it covers 3 computers. You might check the web site often looking for a bargain.

I wish you well.

 

[Nisko]

Thank you very much!!

 

[Callender]

Re: External drives locked. I had the same problem. It was Explorer locking the drives. You can test that by killing explorer then restarting Explorer using Task Manager and then attempt to eject the drive. If it works it could just be a buggy shell extension. Also as mentioned your AV could be the culprit.

 

[Nisko]

Thank you - I'll try it next time it happens.