error code 47

CosmicJest · 27 Oct 2013

Hello,

I have an older external terabyte drive that I use for backups (one of the first terabytes available for consumers). It hasn't gotten a whole lot of use, but I do use it several times a year.

Recently I've been having a problem ejecting the drive, and usually deal with it by shutting down the computer, as I get a message that says the drive is in use, and shutting down seems like a relatively safe way to eject a device with a running process.

Today I tried ejecting though Devices and Printers, which resulted in notification of that there was a problem with the device. I troubleshooted and got an error 47 and a message that there are some PnP devices that have a problem with Windows.

My question is, is this a terminal problem, or is there a way to resolve the error code?

CosmicJest · 31 Oct 2013

Here's some additional info on the situation. The computer that's been attached to the terabyte since June when it (the computer) was purchased, has had a defective hard drive from day 1. The hard drive was replaced earlier this month, and the NEW hard drive FAILED last night!

Could a defective hard drive cause the terabyte to malfunction?

andrew129260 · 31 Oct 2013

CosmicJest said:

Here's some additional info on the situation. The computer that's been attached to the terabyte since June when it (the computer) was purchased, has had a defective hard drive from day 1. The hard drive was replaced earlier this month, and the NEW hard drive FAILED last night!
Could a defective hard drive cause the terabyte to malfunction?

Not likely. This is a common error in windows. (Although its rarely windows fault, see below)

When removable devices have problems ejecting, its usually caused by the following:

1.) You ran/opened a file from the storage device that did not release the handle properly when closed.
2.) Your antivirus software is silently scanning it, causing the device to be "in use" and cannot be removed.
3.) A program is causing the external hard drive to be in use, preventing the drive from safely removing.

Usually, as long as your not copying or running programs of files from the drive, its safe to simply remove the device from your PC.
As a extra paranoid precaution though I always shut down the PC to make sure no data can be corrupted should this error occur. If the error does not occur when you tell windows to remove it, then your fine. :)

CosmicJest · 31 Oct 2013

Thank you, Andrew. Yes, when I look to see what's locking the device, it's system processes which can't be stopped. So would you say it's safe to continue to use - with little chance of data corruption - as long as I continue to shut the computer down before removing it?

andrew129260 · 31 Oct 2013

"Usually, as long as your not copying or running programs of files from the drive, its safe to simply remove the device from your PC.
As a extra paranoid precaution though I always shut down the PC to make sure no data can be corrupted should this error occur. If the error does not occur when you tell windows to remove it, then your fine. :)"

CosmicJest · 31 Oct 2013

(What error? Was that supposed to be a link?) I'm always concerned about the possibility of creating a phantom drive, so being the paranoid person I am, I'll just continue to shut down the computer to be on the safe side... I don't normally use the drive very often anyway - until recently