Solved Some help with safely remove hardware after backup, please

[jadinolf]

I backup my computers every week using 500G backup drives. One of my computers gives me the attached error message when I try to disconnect the drive.

Because I have no idea what is causing that message, I just disconnect it and go on my merry way. I don't know if that is good or bad so I am coming here.

I tried closing down the control panel but the message still appears.

Any ideas, guys and gals?

Thanks

 

[Layback Bear]

This Tutorial should help.
By Brink:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10169-safely-remove-hardware-eject-device.html

 

[jadinolf]

This Tutorial should help.
By Brink:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10169-safely-remove-hardware-eject-device.html

Thanks Layback Bear.

First thing I tried gave me the same result but I'll study Shawn's tutorial and see what I can do.

Thanks for the post.

I'll try to get back to it this evening or early morning.

 

[Layback Bear]

Here is another little goody that might help.

By Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173668-notification-area-icons-settings-enable-disable.html

 

[jadinolf]

Here is another little goody that might help.

By Brink:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/173668-notification-area-icons-settings-enable-disable.html

Thanks LB.

I am busy on other projects right now but I will get back to it.

I've been thinking that I will also try to reboot with the Backup drive still attached. I cannot do that on it's sister computer which will hang at the motherboard welcome screen and not even boot into Windows if the backup drive is attached (and on).

I'll get back later.

 

[mjf]

I sometimes have this problem, typically with USB connected external HDDs. Sometimes going into Explorer then exiting can free the drive but failing this I just do a reboot and they can always be ejected. I can't identify which process has hold of the drives. I've found VLC media player can tie up the drive even after exiting.
Provided the drives don't have any write activity you can pull them without ejecting with the safely remove option set (without ejecting). BUT to be honest I've never trusted this.

Add: the option I refer to is under Device Manager -
Expand Disk drives >right click>properties>Policies>quick removal option

 

[jadinolf]

I sometimes have this problem, typically with USB connected external HDDs. Sometimes going into Explorer then exiting can free the drive but failing this I just do a reboot and they can always be ejected. I can't identify which process has hold of the drives. I've found VLC media player can tie up the drive even after exiting.
Provided the drives don't have any write activity you can pull them without ejecting with the safely remove option set (without ejecting). BUT to be honest I've never trusted this.

Thanks mjf

I may not be hurting anything by just pulling the plug but I'd like to do it right. The other 2 computers don't have this problem.

As I said, I'll be back.

 

[jadinolf]

Well, as I suspected, trying to reboot with the backup drive plugged in yields this message:
Boot Mgr is missing

Press Control+Alt+Del to restart

Back to reading

 

[mjf]

I suggest you post a Disk Management screen shot. Also, maybe check in your BIOS that the backup drive isn't included in your boot list.

 

[andrew129260]

I always just shut the computer down when I get that issue. (its rare for me) and then disconnect the drive.

 

[jadinolf]

I suggest you post a Disk Management screen shot. Also, maybe check in your BIOS that the backup drive isn't included in your boot list.

Here's a screenshot and No, the external drive is not included in the boot list. I plug it in after I boot up. That's just a one a week thing.

Thanks for the post.

 

[Layback Bear]

Remove the active flag from drive (E).
(C) drive with Windows 7 is the only needed active drive.

This from Brink should be helpful.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197157-partition-mark-inactive.html

 

[whs]

That's a hanging handle on the drive. Reboot and you can remove the drive.

 

[mjf]

Yes you could try removing the active flag on the external. I have had externals with active set (no reason but too lazy to unset it) and not experienced this problem. Also, I have boot USB flash drives with active set of course and can eject them.

 

[jadinolf]

You gentlemen are confusing me. What is an active flag and how do I remove it?

I'm not at the computer at the moment.

It's sleeping.

 

[Layback Bear]

Please read the Tutorial.

 

[jadinolf]

OK, I will.

I have so little time being the mother, father, housekeeper, lawn mower, etc.......

 

[jadinolf]

Please read the Tutorial.

Layback Bear, I'm afraid that this is way over my head.

What say we save it for a time when I don't have so much else to do like I do today.

Here's the Disk Management again. I see no flag so I'm lost.

Thanks to everyone. Your efforts are really appreciated.

 

[whs]

Instead of standing on your head, why don't you just reboot.

 

[jadinolf]

Instead of standing on your head, why don't you just reboot.

Great idea but it will not reboot with the disk plugged in. I have two motherboards which work that way.

The one you see the specs of here does not do that.

How about his, whs, I just unplug the USB cord and forget about it?

Beats standing on my head.