USB Flash Memory - Safely Removing From A Windows Based ME/2000/XP Computer
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USB flash memory drives, aka thumb drives or handy drives, are a great way to store information and to transfer information from computer to computer. Simple to use and very affordable, the popularity of these drives has increased over the years. These drives are now as common as were the old floppy disks that they have replaced.
But are you aware that when using Windows ME/2000/XP there is a procedure to follow before unplugging the USB flash memory stick from the USB port?
When you plug in a USB flash memory device into an available USB port, the USB monitor icon will appear in the system tray of the taskbar. You know, the area down where the time is located at the bottom right of the screen. You may also hear a sound once the memory drive is inserted.
To remove the USB flash memory drive after you are done, follow this procedure:
- Confirm that all activity has completed. Normally the light on the USB drive will cease to flash.
- Click on the USB monitor icon in the system tray of the taskbar.
- A “Stop USB Mass Storage Device -Drive E” pop-up list should appear next to the icon.
- Click on the pop-up list and a “Safe to Remove Hardware” windows will appear.
- Click “OK” to close this window and then unplug the USB device.
That’s it - you’re done.
Tags: usb, flash, memory, drive, windows, me, 2000, xp, safely
10 Comments
mcwhite
June 10th, 2007
at 1:37am
i know its just to be safe, but why is this nessary? ive never done it before besides running through the steps to do it. im not computer illiterate, i know errors can happen due to applications running or things running in the background, but just for normal day to day unpluging why is this nessary?
thank you
ben ward
June 12th, 2007
at 6:49am
Hey. I would like to know this too!
Ron Schenone
June 12th, 2007
at 7:27am
Hello mcwhite and ben,
Like most everyone I always just yanked the usb stick out. It seems by following the above procedure it does two things. Turns off the juice to the stick and MAY, just MAY prevent file corruption on the stick. Your mileage may vary.
I know take the time to to it properly. However, this is more of a safety precaution than being cast in stone.
All the best and thanks for the comments, Ron
Philip T
July 28th, 2007
at 4:56pm
I have LOST data by simply unplugging the USB drive. Windows sometimes soes a delay write to the USB drive. By stopping the drive properly it writes any data to the drive that may be in the delayed write cache.
Ron Schenone
July 28th, 2007
at 5:40pm
Hi Philip T,
Thanks for the info.
Ron
adam
October 5th, 2007
at 11:59am
is it safe to leave a usb in your computer?
Ron Schenone
October 5th, 2007
at 2:51pm
Hi Adam,
On my Vista box I’m using a USB drive for Ram Boost and leave it in all of the time. So far no problems.
Ron
Melissa
May 15th, 2008
at 1:21pm
I tried to install the sp3 update from Microsoft’s site and my computer would boot to a blue screen. I had to have a tech from Friendly Computers come to my house to fix my computer. It took him about 45 minutes, and their rates were really reasonable. I am not sure what the problem was, but if you are having any problems, I recommend their services. Their site is www.friendlycomputers.com and you can find the closest location on their site.
Ron Schenone
May 15th, 2008
at 3:50pm
Thanks Melissa
Jack Alexander
June 9th, 2008
at 3:59pm
If one is running ‘Buzzsaw’ defrag service you must first stop that service to safely remove a thumb drive. Otherwise the user will most likely get a message to try again at a later time.