How do I turn off the USB Power?

[Ramius]

Hi All!
I have windows 7 32 bit Ultimate and when I eject the USB drive the power to the USB drive stays on which I believe is a "feature" in my version of windows. While windows says it is safe to remove the device it still makes me uncomfortable seeing the USB drive has power on it. Any way to have the power turn off and still have the port recognize when a drive is inserted?

Thanks in advance, Ed

 

[Ranger4]

No, you cannot turn off the power to USB ports, they are powered whenever the computer is powered up & running.

It is necessary to have power at USB ports so as soon as you plug an item in such as an external hard drive it will start operating immediately.

As long as it says "Safe to Remove Hardware" you can remove it without having to worry about anything else.

 

[Ramius]

USB power

I understand and with other versions of windows 7 when you eject a USB drive the power appears to turn off so I am confused.

 

[Ranger4]

Well I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit & power is on to all USB ports all the time the computer is powered up.

I don't see why they would not be powered all the time. Some people use USB ports to charge phone batteries & other items.

 

[Ramius]

USB Power

Maybe I am using the wrong terminology? I am asking about the light on the USB flash drive. When you eject a flash drive, doesn't the light turn off for you?

 

[Ranger4]

It does on a USB flash drive that I have. I assume you are actually removing the flash drive from the computer & not leaving it plugged in.
Are you referring to the USB sockets on the actual computer & not to a USB hub.

 

[Ramius]

USB Power Light

Very true on versions other than Ultimate.

 

[Ranger4]

I can't see how Windows Ultimate can cause the light on a USB flash drive to stay on after it has been removed from the USB port.

It has to be something odd with that flash drive. How long does it stay on after you have removed it?.

 

[Ramius]

USB Light

When you do a "software eject" with the drive still connected to the computer in versions of windows 7 other than ultimate, the drive light will go out. With 7 ultimate the light stays on until you unplugged the drive.

 

[Layback Bear]

What exactly is a software eject?

From your post #9

When you do a "software eject"

 

[Ramius]

USB Light

Okay how would you describe right clicking on the USB symbol in the system tray and then left clicking on "eject"?

 

[Layback Bear]

You are ejecting what ever is plugged into the usb post, which is hardware.

Once you properly select and eject the hardware then just remove the ejected hardware.

Even if you eject the hardware but leave it plugged in, their might be communication between the software on the flash stick and Windows 7. Many things can cause activity light flashing with things plugged into a usb port such as a security program monitoring or indexing.

**Do you get a flash activity light problem if you completely remove the flash stick?